Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks on Saturday, January 3, during a meeting with the families of the martyrs of the 12-day war of June 2025, held on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Imam Ali (PBUH) and the sixth anniversary of martyrdom of Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani.
The Leader described the justice and piety of Imam Ali (PBUH) as two essential peaks needed by the country and the most necessary qualities for governing society.
Emphasizing vigilance and the strengthening of national unity in the face of the enemies’ “soft war,” Ayatollah Khamenei said this war is based on deception, lies, accusations, and rumors.
The Leader stated that the creation of rumors, the use of lies, deception, infiltration, and similar methods—what is today referred to as “soft war”—were policies used by the enemies of Imam Ali (PBUH) to demoralize society and sow doubt. He added that the main objective of the enemy in such a war is to weaken people’s motivation, spread despair, and create uncertainty within the nation.
Referring to gatherings of bazaar merchants of Iran in recent weeks, Ayatollah Khamenei said the bazaar and traders are among the most loyal segments to the Islamic system and the Islamic Revolution, noting that it is not possible to confront the Islamic Republic under the name of the bazaar.
The Leader described the merchants’ protests against the decline in the value of the national currency—which leads to instability in the business environment—as a valid concern, saying traders rightly argue that they cannot conduct business under such conditions. Ayatollah Khamenei added that the country’s officials, including the president and other senior authorities, acknowledge the problem and are seeking solutions.
The enemy noted that the enemy also has a hand in this issue, adding that instability and the unaccountable rise in foreign currency prices, which leave merchants uncertain, are not natural and must be prevented through various measures, efforts that officials are currently pursuing.
While reiterating that the merchants’ protest over this issue is justified, the Leader said what is unacceptable is the presence of provoked individuals or enemy mercenaries standing behind traders and chanting slogans against Islam, Iran, and the Islamic Republic.
Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that “protest is legitimate, but protest is different from riot,” saying officials must engage in dialogue with protesters, but talking to rioters is futile and they must instead be dealt with decisively.
It is absolutely unacceptable for certain individuals, under various labels, to stand behind faithful, healthy, and revolutionary bazaar merchants with the aim of sabotaging the country’s security and, by exploiting their protests, engage in riots, the Leader underlined.
Ayatollah Khamenei described gaining a true understanding of the enemy as a major achievement, saying the people witnessed the reality of the United States during the 12-day war in June 2025. He noted that even those who had believed negotiations with Washington were the solution came to realize that, in the midst of talks, the US government was preparing plans for war.
The Leader called vigilance against the enemy’s soft war, doubt-mongering, and rumor-spreading essential, referring to the billions of dollars spent to disseminate false narratives inside Iran through satellite television networks and media centers. He warned that the aim of these efforts is to weaken the country and undermine the unity of the nation that proved decisive during the 12-day war.
Ayatollah Khamenei added that the factor which compelled the enemy to call for a ceasefire and later send messages claiming it did not seek war was the power and capability of the Iranian nation, while stressing that Iran does not trust the words of a malicious, deceptive, and lying enemy. He emphasized that Iran will not retreat in the face of the enemy and, by relying on God and confidence in popular support, will bring the enemy to its knees.
Highlighting Iran’s achievements such as the launch of three homegrown satellites into space in a single day and remarkable progress in scientific fields including aerospace, biotechnology, medicine, healthcare, nanotechnology, and the missile and defense industries, the Leader said these are examples of the great accomplishments of the Iranian nation and its capable and elite youth. He noted that the enemy—and regrettably some inside the country—conceal these major advances achieved under sanctions and fail to convey them to the public.
In another part of his remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the anniversary of the martyrdom of Lt. General Qassem Soleimani, saying faith, sincerity, and action were the three defining characteristics of the martyred commander, who represented a complete and exemplary human being in the contemporary era.
The Leader praised General Soleimani’s presence in all arenas where action was required, noting that unlike some who understand and speak well but fail to act, Lt. General Soleimani was present wherever necessary—from protecting and guiding the revolutionary movement and confronting sedition in Kerman, to his role in the IRGC Quds Force, defending holy shrines, confronting Daesh (ISIL) terrorists, and other critical fronts.