TEHRAN -- Leader of the Islamic 
Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Wednesday called on the Iranian media and cultural organizations to prevent the hostile propaganda from influencing the public opinion.
The Leader met thousands of visitors from Qom on the anniversary of the 1978 historic uprising of the holy city against the oppressive Pahlavi regime which was a close ally of the U.S.  
Ayatollah Khamenei underlined the need to draw lessons from the uprising as he called for “relentless, substantial, and effective” efforts by the media and social media activists to “tear down the veil of the enemy’s illusion of power and to protect the public opinion” from the poisonous propaganda of the enemies.
He touched on the recently demised U.S. president Jimmy Carter’s visit to Tehran about a year before the Qom uprising and his description of Iran as an “island of stability”.
“The Iran that Carter deemed desirable for America in 1977 was, in terms of foreign policy, entirely subservient to the U.S. and served to secure American interests while domestically, it witnessed the severe suppression of all opposition movements, as well as any divergent viewpoints,” the Leader said. 
“In terms of science and technology, the Americans desired a nation that remained underdeveloped, while culturally, they sought a society where corruption, promiscuity, and Western decadence would proliferate daily.”
The Qom uprising, the Leader said, freed “the ideal Iran for the U.S.” from America’s clutches. 
“The U.S. still yearns for that vision of Iran, but just as Carter took this dream to the grave, so will other Americans,” Ayatollah Khamenei said. 
The victory of the Islamic Revolution, the Leader said, created a crack in the concrete wall of the global arrogance and shook the West. 
Ayatollah Khamenei touched on the publication of an insulting article against the late founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini in January 1978, which sparked the Qom uprising. 
Through the article, the Leader said, the Pahlavi regime and the Americans sought to silence Imam Khomeini but the people of Qom thwarted it with vigilance and distrust of their propaganda.
There is also a lesson for the Iranian people in this event, Ayatollah Khamenei said, citing the exponential increase in propaganda by the U.S. and its allies.  
“In Gaza, they massacred tens of thousands of people, yet they failed to eliminate resistance with their military hardware. In Lebanon, they martyred a figure like Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and other commanders, but Hezbollah was not eradicated and will not be eradicated,” he said. 
Ayatollah Khamenei cautioned that ongoing regional events, including the recent collapse of the Syrian government, should not overshadow the Palestinian cause, which he described as central to resistance efforts.
“The main essence of resistance is standing up against the malicious movements of the Zionist regime,” he said. 
The Leader reaffirmed the Islamic Republic’s commitment to supporting resistance movements across the region. 
“We stand with the resistance in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Yemen, and any region that stands up against the Zionist regime.”
The Leader described Iran as a “strategic pinnacle” in the world, endowed with valuable blessings such as natural resources and above-average human resources.
“For several decades, starting around 80 years ago, Iran was essentially owned by America. But the Islamic Revolution freed the country from America’s grip, and this is why they will not abandon their spite toward the Islamic Revolution.”
The Leader said, “In the last few decades, the Americans have made miscalculations about Iran. My words are intended mostly for those who are intimidated by U.S. policies.”
“The Americans were fooled, dazed, blindsided — this is what American miscalculation means.”
One notable aspect of this “misguided policy” has been the use of economic sanctions aimed at crippling the Iranian economy, Ayatollah Khamenei said.
He emphasized that the sanctions policy has largely failed, as the Iranian nation has made significant advancements in science and technology despite the restrictions.
The Leader saod while sanctions have caused “some harm” to the Iranian economy, they have ultimately failed to achieve their intended goals.
Ayatollah Khamenei said the notion that 
Iran is having relations with European countries and should thus have ties with the United States as well is misguided.
The Leader cited Washington’s hostility with Tehran after losing a significant political and economic heft in the country due to the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
“The pre-revolution Iran was under American ownership, but the Islamic Revolution extricated that enormous political and economic opportunity from the U.S. control. Therefore, their grudge toward the Revolution is” deep, he added.  
Ayatollah Khamenei said one of the primary demands of the global arrogance, led by the U.S., for ensuring their interests is factored in Iran’s decisions. 
“Succumbing to America’s excessive demand would undermine democracy and the essence of democracy in the country,” he said.
“The people have voted for officials to secure their own interests, not those of America. Therefore, the decision-makers must focus solely on the interests of the Iranian nation and the Islamic Republic and totally ignore the interests of America and the Zionists, since they are fundamentally hostile to our nation and the Islamic Republic and fancy the destruction of Iran.”
Ayatollah Khamenei touched on the U.S. failure to dominate Iran despite its enormous efforts and costs made over the past 46 years, citing it yet another reason for their grudge toward the Iranian nation and the Islamic Republic. 
“The U.S. has been defeated in this country and hence it wants to make up for its defeat. That is why they continue their hostility with the Iranian people in every way they can.”