Ali Khomeini, the grandson of the founder of the Islamic Republic, said on Monday that the 1979 seizure of the US embassy in Tehran was pivotal to shaping Iran’s current political and defense standing, arguing that without it “the Islamic Republic might not exist."
Speaking at a ceremony marking the anniversary of the embassy takeover, Khomeini said the Iranian people supported the move, which came nine months after the 1979 revolution.
“The nation stood behind the decision to seize the US embassy,” he said, adding that the action proved in practice that America was not the ultimate decision-maker.
Khomeini drew a parallel between that event and what he described as Iran’s current military and technological advances. “As long as our missiles did not strike our enemies, no one understood their value,” he said, referring to Iran’s missile capabilities.
He also contrasted Iran’s position with that of regional states, saying many of them remain closely aligned with US policies.
The takeover of the US embassy on November 4, 1979, led to the hostage-taking of 52 American diplomats for 444 days and the eventual severing of US-Iran diplomatic ties. The event remains one of the most defining moments in the history of the Islamic Republic and continues to influence Tehran’s foreign policy rhetoric.
