The Supreme Leader made the remarks here on Wednesday when he received thousands of people from Qom Province on the occasion of the anniversary of the 1978 uprising.
Referring to the Wednesday morning attack on the US bases in Iraq by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), the Ayatollah stated that "Last night’s action was merely a slap, but the U.S. must leave the region".
Praising the IRGC reciprocal operation to US airbase of Ain al-Assad in Anbar province in western Iraq which was carried exactly at the same hour that American forces had targetted the IRGC great commander Lieutenant General Qasem Soleimani, the Leader said it was just a slap.
However, the Leader stressed that the US must leave the region.
The following are excerpts of his remarks as published in his official website Khamenei.ir:
"They were slapped last night, but such military actions are not enough. The corruptive presence of the US in the West Asian region must be stopped."
"The US has caused wars, division, sedition, destruction, and the demolition of infrastructures in this region. Of course, they do this everywhere in the world. This region won’t accept the US presence. Governments elected by nations won’t accept the presence of the US."
"Enemies were humbled by the magnificence of the Iranian nation’s turnout for the funeral of Martyr Soleimani. They may not admit it, but they have no other option but to accept it."
"The lying, rambling US govt – whose words are worthless – tried to introduce this great Mujahid & Commander in the fight against terrorism as a terrorist. The Iranian nation slapped them in the face with their turn out in the millions for the funeral of General Soleimani."
Neutralizing all the illegitimate plots of the US in West Asia was mentioned by his Eminence as an example of the wisdom and courage of Martyr Soleimani, and he stated, “The enemies of Hajj Qasem are well aware of this fact.”
On this same topic, Imam Khamenei added, “Hajj Qasem stood up to all the plots formed with the use of the Americans’ money, capabilities, political influence, and extensive organization and rendered them all null and futile.”
Noting the unprecedented impact of General Soleimani on the matter of Palestine, His Eminence added, “The Americans were trying to make the matter of Palestine be forgotten, and do something to weaken the Palestinians so that they wouldn’t have the courage to fight. However, this great man filled the hands of the Palestinians (empowered them) and gave them the courage and ability to fight. Referring to the frequent affirmations of this fact by Palestinian leaders, the Leader of the Revolution added, “What Hajj Qasem did, enabled a small region like Gaza to be able to stand up to the pretentious Zionists in such a way that the Zionist Regime was forced to request a cease-fire after just 48 hours.”
Lieutenant General Soleimani and the acting commander of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) - known as the Hashd al-Shaabi - Abu Mahdi Al-Mohandes, separately leaving Baghdad airport in two cars were targeted and assassinated by the US forces on January 3.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, reacting to Gen Soleimani's martyrdom, stressed on January 4 that Iran reserves the right to take revenge by proportionate military action, and will do it.
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