Drive the Enemy to Despair by Participating in the 22nd of Bahman Rallies

Imam Khamenei’s televised message addressed to the Iranian nation on the occasion of the 22nd of Bahman (11th of Feb.) rallies in the year 1404.

News ID: 87379

Date: 09 February 2026 - 19:59

TEHRAN (Defapress) - Imam Khamenei’s televised message addressed to the Iranian nation on the occasion of the 22nd of Bahman (11th of Feb.) rallies in the year 1404.

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

The 22nd of Bahman is the day when the power and dignity of the Iranian nation are unveiled every year. This is a nation, by the grace of God, which is motivated, resolute, steadfast, grateful, and conscious of what is in its own interest and what is to its detriment. On the day when the first 22nd of Bahman took place, the Iranian nation achieved a great victory. It succeeded in rescuing itself and its country from foreign interference. But throughout these years, those foreigners have continuously sought to restore the previous situation. However, the Iranian nation has stood firm, and the manifestation of this steadfastness is the 22nd of Bahman.

These rallies are unparalleled in the world. Nowhere else in the world do we know of a nation that commemorates its independence day or national day in this manner year after year, after the passage of so many years, and with such massive crowds, which are held throughout the entire country and are able to show themselves in this way.

On this day, the Iranian nation shows itself by taking to the streets, and by doing so, it compels those who covet the Islamic Iran, the Islamic Republic, and the interests of this nation, to retreat.
National power is tied more to the determination of nations and the steadfastness of people than to missiles and aircraft. By the grace of God, you have shown steadfastness, and you have demonstrated your determination. Continue to show this in various arenas. Drive the enemy to despair. As long as the enemy still has hope, a nation will remain exposed to their [enemies’] harassment and harm. The enemy must be driven to despair.

The enemy’s despair comes through your unity, the strength of your thought and determination, your motivation, and your steadfastness in confronting the enemy’s temptations. These are what build national power.
God willing, our youth will advance ever more than this, will be active, and will bring pride to the country in various fields - in science, in their actions, in their piety and morals, and in both their material and spiritual progress. And the 22nd of Bahman is a manifestation of all of these advancements. Everyone comes out into the streets, shouts their slogans, speaks of truths, and declares their solidarity. And in this way, the Iranian nation proclaims its loyalty to the Islamic Republic.

We are hopeful that, God willing, this 22nd of Bahman, like every 22nd Bahman of past years, will further magnify the grandeur of the Iranian nation, will increase it, and will humble other nations, governments, powers, and others before the Iranian nation. And, God willing, this will certainly happen.

May God’s greetings, mercy, and blessings be upon you.