Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani has warned that Iran's retaliatory actions against U.S. will target America’s allies in the region, and around the world.
He also warned that U.S. sanctions imposed on the Islamic Republic's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, could lead to the mobilization of people across the globe who “are in love with the Islamic Revolution.”
Based on the formal jargon of the Islamic Republic, Shamkhani has also referred to Ayatollah Khamenei as the leader of the "Muslim World," claiming, "The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic enjoys widespread influence all over the region."
In an op-ed article for the Iranian government's official news agency (IRNA), Shamkhani has also claimed that many Muslims around the world believe in the Islamic Republic as their only real source of support.
Shamkhani, former Minister of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, IRGC, (1988-'89), and Minister of Defense (1997-2005) has accused Western powers of making a strategic mistake by threatening the Islamic Republic. "Threatening Iran is equal to attacking the ideals and identity of millions of revolutionary Muslims across the world," the 63-year-old IRGC Rear Admiral has argued, warning Western countries that their approach could lead to the collapse of the new world order.
Meanwhile, Shamkhani has criticized Western countries of not understanding the "spiritual influence" factor; again trying to reinforce the idea that Khamenei is regarded as a leader beyond Iran’s borders
In the meantime, on Wednesday June 26, President Hassan Rouhani once again criticized Washington's decision to sanction Ayatollah Khamenei. There are no sanctions left to impose. Rouhani also echoed Shamkhani’s line about Khamenei’s religious status, telling his cabinet, "With its recent sanctions, the United States proved that it could not understand religious issues."
Rouhani, who presides over the Supreme National Security Council asserted, "The President of the United States is not familiar with the beliefs of Muslims and spiritual leaders; his claims are baseless, and this action made the reality clear for our people."
Ayatollah Khamenei is one of many Shiite religious leaders and Shiites are a minority among Muslims. The vast majority are Sunnis who do not regard the Iranian strongman as a spiritual guide. Nevertheless, the Islamic Republic perpetual ideological mantra is to claim that Khamenei is the leader of the Muslim world.
Shamkhani's op-ed published by IRNA was the third one of its kind circulated in recent days.
The IRGC Rear Admiral has concluded his article by recommending Khamenei's memoirs, "The Pains that Changed into Gains" published last March as further reading.
Lebanese Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah unveiled the Arabic version of the book during a ceremony held in Beirut in early February to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Iran's Islamic Revolution.