Qalibaf: Our Nation Will Never Accept Domination and Will Always Resist Arrogance and Oppression
Independence: The Cornerstone of National Interests
Qalibaf emphasized that foreign relations must be based on national interests, and for Iran, independence is the foundation of those interests. “A country without independence has nothing—not national dignity, not credibility, not power, and certainly no lasting progress,” he stated.
Share It :
The Three Historic Events of 13 Aban
He highlighted three major events that occurred on this day: The exile of Imam Khomeini in 1964 following his opposition to the Capitulation Law, which granted judicial immunity to American personnel in Iran. The 1978 massacre of protesting students by the Shah’s regime. The 1979 takeover of the U.S. embassy in Tehran, which exposed the depth of American interference and plots against the Islamic Revolution.
Qalibaf described these events as rooted in the Iranian nation’s refusal to submit to foreign domination. Defending Independence at All Costs
He stressed that the movement of the people, students, and Imam Khomeini on 13 Aban was a stand for preserving national independence against the greed and superiority complex of foreign powers. “We will never trade our independence for anything, under any circumstances,” he said. Arrogance Has Not Changed—Only Its Tools
Qalibaf argued that the nature of global arrogance has remained the same, even if its methods have evolved. He cited the assassination of Iranian scientists and the use of media and cyberspace to spread despair and self-doubt among youth as modern tools of domination. “They no longer conspire from embassies—they do it through media empires and digital platforms,” he warned. The Roots of Hostility
He rejected the notion that U.S. hostility began with the embassy takeover, asserting instead that it started when the Iranian people chose to govern themselves. “They opposed our independence from the beginning—just as they did with the 1953 coup against Prime Minister Mossadegh,” he said.
“Death to America” Is a Cry Against Arrogance, Not Nations
Addressing criticism of the slogan “Death to America,” Qalibaf explained: “This is not a slogan crafted in a think tank—it comes from the historical memory and collective conscience of our people. It is a cry against decades of subjugation.” He clarified that the slogan targets the logic of arrogance and domination, not the American people. A Vision for a Just World
Qalibaf concluded by emphasizing that Iran does not seek endless confrontation but envisions an alternative civilization—one where no nation is sanctioned for its independence and no person is threatened for their faith. “Our path is one of moderation, strength, and reason—rooted in faith, advanced through knowledge, and fulfilled by justice. This is the path of Imam Khomeini,” he said.
He reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to the principle of “Neither East nor West,” and called on the younger generation to carry this path forward with resolve and clarity.
