Salaam, dear young friends! How are you? I hope you are all doing well by the grace of Almighty God.
Well, youngsters, today we mark the 13th of Aban, a day associated with three crucial events in the history of the Islamic Revolution in Iran.
It is remembered as the day that challenged the arrogance of the United States. On November 4, 1979, revolutionary Muslim students took over the US Embassy in Tehran, exposing what they described as an extensive network of espionage and interference in Iran’s internal affairs. The documents recovered from the embassy, including those painstakingly reconstructed from shredded papers, revealed the extent of American intelligence activities in the region. Imam Khomeini (RA), the Father of the Islamic Revolution, hailed the takeover as the “Second Revolution.” The event became a defining moment in Iran’s struggle against foreign intervention and a lasting symbol of resistance for its supporters.
Aban 13 also commemorates the exile of Imam Khomeini to Turkey in 1964 on the orders of the Shah’s regime, following pressure from the United States. Rather than weakening the opposition, his exile strengthened the revolutionary movement and ultimately contributed to the downfall of the Pahlavi monarchy.
The third significant event occurred on November 4, 1978, when security forces opened fire on students protesting at Tehran University and demanding the return of Imam Khomeini from exile. The killings intensified public anger against the Shah’s regime. Barely three months later, on February 1, 1979, Imam Khomeini returned to Iran, leading the Islamic Revolution to victory.
Aban 13 is therefore observed as the National Day of Campaign against Global Arrogance. It represents Iran’s determination to defend its independence and reject foreign domination. From the eight-year war imposed on Iran by Saddam Hussein’s Ba’athist regime to decades of American sanctions, the Islamic Republic has continued to face major challenges.
Dear young friends, this year’s commemoration carries even greater significance amid the ongoing war between Iran, the United States and Israel. The martyrdom of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on February 28, 2026, has added another painful chapter to Iran’s contemporary history and intensified the country’s resolve among his supporters to resist foreign aggression.
The present conflict reminds us that the events of Aban 13 are not merely chapters in history. The questions of national sovereignty, independence and resistance to foreign intervention remain relevant today. For young people, this day is an opportunity to remember those who sacrificed their lives, understand the struggles that shaped modern Iran and reflect on the importance of defending the independence and dignity of their nation.
May God bless you. Goodbye, until we meet again next week!