Tehran — Behshid Barkhordar, the representative of Iran’s Zoroastrian community in the Islamic Consultative Assembly, says Western antagonism toward Iran is neither new nor accidental, but rooted deep in history. Speaking in an open parliamentary session, she said global powers now “whisper Iran’s name with fear” and stressed that national unity, support for the armed forces, and serious attention to people’s livelihoods and agriculture are the only ways to overcome mounting pressures.
“Neither Friend Nor Foe Wants a Strong Iran”
Emphasizing Iran’s strategic position in global equations, Barkhordar said the country is living through a critical moment in world history.
“Today, the superpowers whisper the name of Iran with fear,”
she said.
“We are living in a sensitive period of world history — one in which neither friend nor enemy wants the existence of a strong and powerful Iran.”
She warned that Iran has historically been targeted precisely because of its strength, independence, and civilizational depth.
Historic Roots of Western Hostility
At the beginning of her address in Baharestan (parliament), Barkhordar extended greetings to Iran’s Supreme Leader and marked the anniversary of the Ten-Day Dawn (Dahe-ye Fajr). She then turned to what she described as a long pattern of foreign aggression.
“The Iranian nation stands at a critical juncture in global history,”
she said.
“A period throughout which we have repeatedly witnessed open aggression by foreign powers against our land — a hostility that continues to this day.”
She cited historical examples:
- In the 1940s, U.S. Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson reportedly described Iran as “a large and dangerous country that must be broken apart.”
- Decades later, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was quoted saying:
“Our problem with Iran is not the bomb.
Our problem is identity.
Wherever we go, we face a discourse that rejects our presence — and Iran is the very core of this approach in the region.
It is either us or Iran.”
“Submission to America Is Considered a Disgrace”
Barkhordar stressed that recalling such statements is meant to awaken those who still believe compromise or concessions toward Washington could resolve tensions.
“These truths must be stated to awaken those who still think about paying tribute to America,”
she said.
“They must know that the Islamic Republic of Iran stands firm and considers submission and kneeling before the United States a disgrace.”
From War and Sanctions to Media and Psychological Pressure
Barkhordar described a continuous chain of actions that she said reflect this enduring hostility toward Iran, including:
- the eight-year Iran–Iraq War,
- harsh economic sanctions,
- the 12-day war,
- brutal attacks by ISIS,
- European interventionist actions in support of terrorism,
- insults directed at Iran’s leadership, and
- labeling the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.
“These are all links in the same historical chain of enmity against the Iranian nation.”
Referring to recent developments, she added that during and after the 12-day war, former U.S. President Donald Trump attempted to force Iran into submission using Israel’s military pressure and the “snapback mechanism” — combining economic, political, and psychological pressures.
“Through coordination with all their media allies, they first targeted public opinion and then attacked national security,”
she said.
Yet, according to Barkhordar, the Iranian people’s awareness and resilience ensured these efforts failed.
“The awakening of the noble Iranian nation ensured that enemy mercenaries achieved nothing,”
she said,
“even through staged killings, destruction of public, service, and religious sites, the murder of a three-year-old child, the burning and beheading of a female nurse, and the martyrdom of the guardians of national security.”
Iran’s Civilization, Geography, and Natural Wealth
Barkhordar described Iran as a country with an ancient civilization, pioneering contributions to science, and an unmatched strategic and geographical position.
“Few lands possess such material wealth and diverse capabilities,”
she said,
“and it is precisely these features that have made Iran the object of historical envy.”
“The West Never Understood Iran’s Human Wealth”
Barkhordar emphasized the importance of Iran’s people:
“They never understood the meaning of Iran’s human wealth.
In this land live first-rate human beings — people who consider themselves indebted to their country, not entitled to it.
They sacrifice their lives for Iran so that no harm befalls it.”
Support for Iran’s Vigilant People
Barkhordar praised Iran’s citizens for standing alongside national leadership and the armed forces:
“Today, as the Commander-in-Chief exercises true and decisive leadership, the people stand firmly alongside the nation.
They have supported the armed forces, and through coordination among the military, national media, and the judiciary, on 22 Dey 1404 (January 12, 2026), they demonstrated an extraordinary presence and achieved a remarkable victory before the eyes of the world.”
Livelihoods, Agriculture, and Responsibility
She urged the government to focus on national reconstruction, close internal and external paths of infiltration, and address people’s economic concerns.
“When there is no food, there is no life.
We must pay special attention to the agricultural season and double our efforts to provide healthy food for the people.”
Sadeh Festival and a Call for Hope
Barkhordar concluded by referencing Sadeh, the national and international Zoroastrian festival celebrating the discovery of fire:
“Let us warm the hearts of the noble people of Iran with the life-giving heat of light and fire, and ignite the flame of collective human compassion.
In this winter of compounded crises, let us bring light to people’s hearts so that the glow of livelihoods shines bright, and Iranians and the global community alike are invited — in Persian — to participate in this celebration.”
She expressed hope that, with the help of Ahura Mazda, the coming decade, marked by the celebrations of the Islamic Revolution’s victory, would bring renewed joy, hope, and confidence to Iranian homes.
From: Mehrnews