Speaking on the eve of November 4, the “Student Day and National Day of Fight Against Global Arrogance,” Ayatollah Khamenei addressed thousands of students and families of war martyrs in Tehran to mark the anniversary of the 1979 seizure of the US Embassy in Tehran, describing it as a historically and identity-defining event.
“The conflict between the Islamic Republic and the United States is intrinsic, and a confrontation of interests between the two sides. Only if the United States completely ends its support for the cursed Zionist regime, withdraws its military bases, and refrains from interference, could American requests for cooperation with Iran be considered—not in the near future, but later,” he said.
He described the 1979 embassy seizure as both a “day of pride and victory” and a revelation of the US government’s true identity.
“The seizure of the US Embassy revealed the true identity of the United States government and the genuine nature of the Islamic Revolution,” he said.
The Leader traced the roots of US-Iranian tensions back to the 1953 coup that overthrew Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh. He said the United States conspired with Britain to topple Mossadegh despite publicly appearing supportive.
“The Americans smiled at Mossadegh but secretly, with the British, carried out a coup, overthrew the national government, and returned the fleeing Shah,” he said.
Ayatollah Khamenei also dismissed the notion that anti-US slogans like “Death to America” triggered American hostility.
“The issue America has with the Islamic Republic is intrinsic, a clash of interests, not slogans,” he said.
He said the 1979 embassy seizure was initially meant to last a few days as a symbolic reflection of public anger, but it revealed deeper US plots against the Revolution.
“The students found documents showing the embassy was a center of conspiracy against the Revolution,” he said.
He also rejected US overtures for cooperation as meaningless as long as Washington continues to support Israel.
Ayatollah Khamenei urged students to deepen knowledge of Iran’s political history and current challenges, strengthen science, and maintain progress in military capabilities to demonstrate that “Iran is a strong nation that no power can subjugate.”