Iran’s Friday Prayers: In defense of regional policies

(Picture: Vali Mohseni/YJC)

Across Iran, Friday prayers mainly revolved around the subject of security and support for Iran's regional policies.

In Tehran, Friday prayers' leader Ayatollah Movahhedi Kermani allocated the main part of his speech to a strong criticism of the United States, and enumeration of Washington's mischievous deeds. "I have decided to grant the United States some medals," said Movahhedi Kermani, "the latest of which is for robbing the Iranian nation of its assets," referring to the recent decision by the US Supreme Court to freeze 2 billion dollar of Iranian money in favor of the family of victims of the 1983 Beirut bombings.

"The US, massacres citizens, women and children and does not apologize; makes commitments in the nuclear negotiations and in the meantime, reneges on its promises. United States does not comply to international laws … it proclaims democracy and in the meantime intervenes in domestic affairs of other countries; it not only kills the oppressed and innocent, but also supports the murderers and provides them with money and arms," Movahhedi said, slamming Washington for its support of Riyadh in the war campaign on Yemen.

Movahhedi Kermani also thanked Brig. Gen. Salami, Deputy Commander of IRGC, for countering United States' "threatening language" with decisive responses, referring to his warning that Iran would bloc passage in the Strait of Hormuz if threatened by the US military fleet. Movahhedi also warned Zarif not to be deceived by the "bloodsucking bully", the United States.

In Arak, central Iran, Ghorbanali Dori Najafabadi, former minister of intelligence and Friday prayers leader of the city called for vigilance: "we should increase our attentiveness day by day … because we are facing groups and regimes such as ISIS, the Saudi household, and the Zionist regime," he said. "The enemy is trying to ensnare us, … we should be impenetrable."   

In Ahwaz, Friday prayers' sermonizer asserted that "revolutionary Islam" is the key to Iran's power. "Americans will take their dream to the grave that Iran be non-Islamic or non-revolutionary. Our nation will never bow against Americans," Mirahmadreza Hajati said. Hajati also touched on the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, among other topics. "Our naval fleet have become so powerful that if the US navies and submarines want to pass the Strait of Hormuz, they should come to the surface and speak in Persian to our naval forces."

In Mashhad, Ayatollah Ahmad Alamolhoda slammed critics of Iran's military presence in Syria. "Our dear soldiers are standing against sworn enemies kilometers away, so they don't dare to attack Iran's borders, but a bunch of counterrevolutionary nationalists are asking why we are present in Syria and Iraq."

"All around us is unsafe, and our country is the safest place on earth," Alamolhoda added. "Even Europe and the US don't have our security".