Mojtaba Vows to Give the "Great Satan" United States an Unforgettable Lesson

U.S. Media:
"Use of 'Great Satan' Signals a Return to Hardline Policies"

As the Iranian government has officially announced a complete halt to the implementation of the previous Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Iran's new leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued a strongly worded statement targeting U.S. President Donald Trump.

On the 14th (local time), at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla Embassy in Tehran, Iran, mourners shouted slogans while holding posters of Iran's new leader Mojtaba Khamenei during the memorial service for the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader. Photo by AP Yonhap News

On the 18th (local time), in a statement released to state-run IRNA, Mojtaba Khamenei asserted, "The Great Satan, meaning the United States, has repeatedly violated the MOU signed between Iran and the U.S. president. This has revealed the fundamental truth that the president's signature is worthless and cannot be trusted." He continued, "Coercion, hegemony, and cruelty are inseparable elements of the beliefs and doctrines of the United States, as has once again been proven," delivering strong criticism.

Mojtaba Khamenei also warned, "If the United States continues to escalate military tensions and seeks to impose a greater price, the noble people of Iran and the 'Axis of Resistance' (armed groups supporting Iran) will give the United States a lesson it will never forget."

The U.S.-based online media Axios analyzed, "The use of the term 'Great Satan' had not been used since Mojtaba Khamenei took office. The breakdown of the agreement with the Trump administration is a symbolic indicator that Iran is returning to the classic hardline stance of the revolutionary era."

Mojtaba Khamenei called on the public to remain united. This comes amid heightened conflict between hardliners and negotiators, as Abbas Araghchi, the foreign minister representing the negotiator camp, was struck by stones and forced to leave during the funeral of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the previous Supreme Leader. Mojtaba Khamenei emphasized, "While people may criticize certain officials out of genuine patriotism and good intentions, such criticism must not result in unfair harm to innocent individuals or undermine social unity and cohesion."

Meanwhile, the United States has continued all-out airstrikes against Iran for seven consecutive days from July 11 to July 17. The U.S. Central Command stated, "The seventh consecutive day of Iranian airstrikes was concluded at 9:30 p.m. on the 17th," and added, "(We) targeted surveillance facilities, military support infrastructure, underground weapons depots, and maritime assets." It was also reported that not only military facilities but also civilian infrastructure were struck.

The Iranian Ministry of Health announced on the 18th that "at least 12 people were killed in U.S. airstrikes over the past day," and that "since the ceasefire began to falter on June 27, at least 50 people have been killed and 500 injured by U.S. airstrikes." Kazem Gharibabadi, deputy foreign minister, stated, "The United States has violated all its obligations within the framework of the Islamabad MOU and has suspended its implementation. Accordingly, we have halted all our obligations and will no longer fulfill any promises."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.