TEHRAN — Leader of the Islamic Revolution 
Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei said Monday Iran has emerged stronger from successive wars and pressure, declaring that the “phoenix” that rose from the first imposed war has grown so large that “the shadow of its flight has fallen over the lands of the enemy.”
In a message marking the first Iraqi imposed war and commemorating Iran’s eight-year defense, Ayatollah Khamenei said efforts by foreign powers to return Iran to an era of “backwardness, humiliation and disgrace, dependence and Iran’s disrepute in the Islamic world” have failed.
“Despite extensive efforts, the Islamic system rose, more vigorous and stronger than before, with a louder voice and a higher flight, like a phoenix,” he said. “And this became the continuing characteristic of this system in the subsequent enemy-created events.”
“The days that they want to return our country to were days full of backwardness, humiliation and disgrace, dependence and Iran’s disrepute in the Islamic world; and these days in which we are living are full of progress, dignity, independence and the highest degree of standing in the Islamic world and indeed the entire world,” he said.
Ayatollah Khamenei said the first imposed war had been the most important attempt during the first decade of the Islamic Republic to reverse the course of the revolution and restore foreign dominance over Iran.
He recalled the period before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, saying foreign powers sought to determine Iran’s affairs through the monarchy and that the Shah carried out their demands “with willingness or reluctance.” 
The revolution led by Imam Khomeini, he said, overturned that system and brought about the establishment of the Islamic Republic.
“The dark days, as a result of this revolution, 
led to the bright days of the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said.
Ayatollah Khamenei said the change was costly for powers that had sought Iran’s wealth and had inflicted “all kinds of wrongs” on its people in their efforts to control the country. 
The Iraqi war of the 1980s on Iran, he said, was the most important of their actions during the Islamic Republic’s first decade.
It was launched by the “anti-people Ba’ath Party” with the expectation of a short conflict and an easy victory, but the Islamic Republic emerged from the conflict stronger, the Leader added.
“From the fire of that war, which had been kindled by the anti-people Ba’ath Party with the illusion of a few days of war and an effortless victory, the Islamic system rose, more vigorous and stronger than before, like a phoenix, with a louder voice and a higher flight than before,” he said.
Ayatollah Khamenei said this pattern continued through subsequent wars.
“The days when the enemy had imposed its servants on this nation and exercised a new form of colonialism were transformed, through the Revolution and the raising of the banner of Islam and jihad during the imposed war, into days of pride,” he said.
He said that while Iran entered the first years of the war with limited means of defending itself, it has since reached a position in which foreign powers are confronting Iranian military action.
“Those days when, at the beginning of the attacks by the appendages of the system of domination, our country had inherited empty hands from the tyrannical regime for defending itself against many threats, have, by the grace of establishing the truth and divine assistance, now reached days when the aggressors themselves — and not their followers — seek shelter from the attacks of the warriors of Islam and plead for an end to the war,” he said.
Ayatollah Khamenei also invoked the Strait of Hormuz, saying foreign military forces that once operated freely in the waters around Iran have been pushed back by Iranian attacks.
“Those days, the two southern seas of Iran were the arena for the enemy’s forces, but these days they do not advance beyond the Arabian Sea because of the painful blows they have received from the brave warriors and the protectors of the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.
“And whenever they have taken this risk upon themselves, they have inflicted damage upon themselves; and it will soon be that the Arabian Sea, too, will empty itself of them,” he added.
The message also emphasized continued domestic mobilization. The Leader said that whereas foreign powers had once used psychological operations and intimidation to empty the streets of Tehran and stage a coup against Iran’s independence, the situation has since been reversed.
“These days, for seven months, our compatriots have adorned the squares and streets throughout the country with their responsible and enthusiastic presence, so that the hearts of the warriors of Islam may be strengthened and the enemy may be plunged into fear,” he said.
Ayatollah Khamenei said more than 30 million Iranians have declared their readiness to sacrifice themselves and that, when another registration effort was launched, more than 500,000 people filled the requested capacity within the first 100 minutes.
“Now, throughout Islamic Iran, which is adorned by the presence of Iranians from diverse ethnic groups, there are various declarations of readiness, especially armed readiness, to create an arena that will bring them a name and their enemy disgrace,” he said.
He also highlighted the participation of Iranian women, saying that the courage of the people had once been associated primarily with men but that women have now surpassed men in some fields of courageous participation.
Ayatollah Khamenei said the social base of the Islamic Republic has also strengthened rather than weakened, despite efforts by its enemies to erode it.
“These days, various sections of society, with clear differences among them, insist on preserving their rightful positions, including preserving the blessed Strait of Hormuz,” he said.
He said the comparison between Iran’s past and present can be expanded further, but declared that the period foreign powers want to restore will not return.
“In one word, as a servant of the dear people of Iran, I declare that those former days that our enemy wishes to return to have passed and will never be repeated,” he said.
Ayatollah Khamenei also referred to the loss Imam Khomeini and martyred Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, saying their absence is deeply felt while crediting their leadership with Iran’s present position.
“I must, with pain and sorrow, recall that these days the place of the Great Khomeini and the Great Khamenei, may God raise their noble ranks, who martyred, is greatly missed,” he said, adding that Iran’s present dignity is indebted to their leadership.
He said their legacy will shape what comes next.
“But by the blessing of the valuable treasure left from their conduct and their brilliant and guiding words for their followers, the coming days will be far more glorious than these days,” he said.
“It is because that phoenix which rose from the ashes of the first imposed war has now, as a result of enemy pressure and especially the two recent imposed wars, grown so large that the shadow of its flight has fallen over the lands of the enemy,” he said.
Ayatollah Khamenei devoted the closing section of his message to Lebanon and the second anniversary of the martyrdom of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, whom he described as an “Arab heroic commander” and a major symbol of the resistance front.
He praised Nasrallah as a sincere advocate for his people and his faith, saying his speeches and actions strengthened the hearts of his people and “indeed the free people of the world.”
He said Nasrallah elevated the standing of Lebanon, a small country that had for years been a backyard of certain powers, and described him as a figure of exceptional stature in the history of the Levant.
He also praised Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem and the group’s fighters, saying Nasrallah’s flag is now in Sheikh Qassem’s hands.
“The proud flag of his is now in the hands of His Eminence Sheikh Naim Qassem, may he be preserved, who bravely continues his path at the forefront of the steadfast and Ashura-like ranks of Hezbollah,” he said.
Ayatollah Khamenei described the current period in Lebanon as a significant and honorable one for resistance fighters and as a period of humiliation for those who, facing Israel, have placed their hopes in the false promises of dominant powers and their adversaries.
“These days of Lebanon are, before history and indeed even now, distinguished and glorious days for him and all the resistance fighters, and days of humiliation and ultimately disgrace for those who, in the face of the Zionist enemy, have pinned their hopes on the false promises of the powers of domination and their ill-wishers,” he said.
He said Nasrallah, Sayyed Hashem Safieddine and current resistance fighters will continue to be remembered, while those who have relied on the promises of foreign powers will eventually be forgotten.
He expressed hope that Iran and all resistance allies will encounter only “victory, triumph and dignity,” while their enemies will face “defeat and humiliation.”