'My body holds little value...': Khamenei's last speech gains momentum after he dies in US-Israel air strikes

Khamenei was killed on Saturday

• Ali Khamenei allegedly killed in US-Israel airstrike in Tehran
• Khamenei's speech: US influence criticized, called declining
• Several family members and officials also killed in the operation

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Following the death of Ali Khamenei in a joint military operation reportedly carried out by the United States and Israel, what he reportedly said in his last public speech is gaining momentum, drawing strong emotional reactions from supporters and critics alike.

Khamenei’s final public appearance was recorded on February 17, more than ten days before the airstrikes that allegedly killed him, according to material published on his official website.

During the address, delivered in the East Azerbaijan Province while marking the anniversary of the 1978 Tabriz uprising, Khamenei criticised the United States and warned about its global influence. He described the country’s future trajectory in stark terms, saying, “I will also say a few words about the US. It's a system that is truly in decline. It's an empire that's heading toward a collapse.”

He continued his criticism of Washington, targeting the American leadership and society. “As for the crumbling US empire, it truly is crumbling; they have problems in their economy, problems with their policies, and problems in their society. More than 50 per cent of the US population doesn't approve of their current president,” he said.

Khamenei also defended the importance of military preparedness for national security. “We must have deterrent weapons; if a country does not have deterrent weapons, it will be crushed under the feet of its enemies. The Americans are interfering in this matter without any reason… “You may have such and such missile. You may have such range and no more." What does it have to do with you? It concerns the Iranian nation," he stated.

The Iranian leader further argued that tensions between Tehran and Washington were rooted in what he called American ambitions toward his country. “The problem we have with the United States is that they want to devour Iran, and the Iranian nation is preventing them. The Islamic Republic stands in their way,” he said.

In another emotional speech delivered on 19 June, Khamenei appealed to his followers not to fear threats against his life, saying, “My body holds little value, my life bears no significance. Even if they kill me, do not count it as our loss as long as you remain steadfast on the principles of Imam Hussain.”

According to reports, Khamenei was killed in a coordinated airstrike operation allegedly involving US and Israeli forces. The strike, named "Operation Epic Fury", was reportedly executed with precision targeting his official residence in Tehran.

Besides the 86-year-old Supreme Leader, several members of his family, including his daughter and grandchild, were also killed in the operation. Authorities said approximately 30 to 40 senior officials were present in the compound at the time of the strike and were killed as well.