Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei on July 18 (local time) called the United States the 'Great Satan' and accused Washington of violating memorandums of understanding. According to UPI, Khamenei stated on X (formerly Twitter) that 'the Great Satan has once again revealed its true face without a mask,' describing the alleged violations as 'clear evidence of America's dishonesty, irrationality, unreliable nature, and malicious character.' The statements come amid escalating military tensions between the US and Iran in the Persian Gulf region, where both nations have implemented blockade measures in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil and natural gas transportation.
Khamenei Accuses US of Repeated MOU Violations
In a separate post, Khamenei claimed that 'coercion, totalitarianism, and brutality are inseparable elements of America's beliefs and policies.' On Telegram, he stated that 'the US's repeated violations of the memorandum of understanding signed between Iran and the US President once again proved that the US President's signature has no credibility or value.' He added that 'this reaffirms the fact that coercion, totalitarianism, and brutality are inherent in America's doctrine and policies.'
Historical Context of Great Satan Terminology
The term 'Great Satan' was originally used by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the Iranian Revolution, to describe the United States shortly after the 1979 Tehran US Embassy hostage crisis. During that incident, 66 American diplomats and civilians were detained, with most held hostage for 444 days.
US-Iran Military Tensions Escalate in Persian Gulf
The US and Iran have recently increased military confrontation levels in the Persian Gulf area. Both countries are implementing blockade measures in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and natural gas transportation. Iran is restricting vessel passage while the US continues blocking Iranian vessels and ports.
FAQ
What did Iran's Supreme Leader say about the US on July 18?
Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei called the United States the 'Great Satan' and accused the US of violating memorandums of understanding signed between Iran and the US President. He stated that these violations demonstrate America's dishonesty, irrationality, unreliable nature, and malicious character.
Why is the term 'Great Satan' historically significant in US-Iran relations?
The term 'Great Satan' was first used by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the Iranian Revolution leader, to describe the United States after the 1979 Tehran US Embassy hostage crisis, during which 66 American diplomats and civilians were detained, with most held for 444 days.
What military actions are the US and Iran taking in the Persian Gulf?
Both the US and Iran are implementing blockade measures in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran is restricting vessel passage through the strait, while the US is blocking Iranian vessels and ports. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for global oil and natural gas transportation.
