President Pezeshkian, cabinet members renew allegiance to Imam Khomeini’s ideals

Tehran, IRNA – President Masoud Pezeshkian and members of his cabinet have renewed their allegiance to the ideals of the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini.

Accompanied by ministers and deputies, the president visited Imam Khomeini’s mausoleum, located south of Tehran, on Saturday.

They laid wreaths of flowers and paid tribute to Imam Khomeini and the martyrs of the Islamic Revolution. Seyyed Hassan Khomeini, a cleric and grandson of the late founder who serves as the custodian of the holy shrine, accompanied the president and his delegation.

The visit came as Iran prepares to mark the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution on 22 Bahman (February 11). The visit took place a day before 11 Bahman, which commemorates Imam Khomeini’s historic return to Iran from exile back in 1979.

The Ten-Day Dawn (Fajr) celebrations begin annually on 11 Bahman, culminating on 22 Bahman — the day the Islamic Revolution triumphed in 1979.

‘Foreign actors exploited protests to sow division’

Making a speech at Imam Khomeini’s mausoleum, President Pezeshkian said the recent unrest in Iran went beyond ordinary social protests as foreign actors exploited public grievances to incite division and destabilize society.

Pezeshkian said that US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and several European parties sought to provoke unrest and sow discord among Iranians. He noted that while some innocent citizens were drawn into the events, the ultimate objective was to fracture the country and fuel conflict and hatred within society.

“In a normal social protest, people do not take up weapons, kill security forces, or set ambulances and marketplaces on fire,” the president said, emphasizing that it is the government’s duty to hear voices and concerns of protesters and is prepared to address their demands.

The president, at the same time, warned that Iran’s adversaries continue to exploit internal difficulties to deepen divisions. He called on state officials to reassess their conduct, approaches, and methods of engagement with the public, stressing the need for reforms in governance and communication.

Pezeshkian concluded by describing unity and social solidarity in the pursuit of justice and fairness as the most critical priority for the nation, urging collective efforts to preserve stability and national integrity.