'Crumbling empire’: What Khamenei said about US in his last public speech

As Iran and much of the world reels from the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint US–Israel strikes early Sunday, his final public speech has come under spotlight. Delivered on February 17, just over ten days ago, Khamenei’s address included sharp warnings against the United States and Israel, reflections on unrest inside Iran, and references to Iran's history.

He directly criticised the US, calling it a “crumbling empire” and asserting that America was in decline. “It’s a system that is truly in decline. It’s an empire that’s heading toward a collapse,” he said. He rejected pressure over Iran’s defence capabilities and nuclear programme, adding: “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.” On American threats, he added pointedly: “You, too, won’t be able to do such a thing,” referring to eliminating the Islamic Republic.





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The speech was delivered in East Azerbaijan Province, on the eve of the anniversary of the 1978 Tabriz uprising, when protests against the Shah had erupted. "Over the course of time during the era of the Revolution, whenever I have traveled to Tabriz or other cities in Azerbaijan, I’ve felt that there was a particular distinction – a certain superiority – in the feelings, outlook, and perspective of these people. It’s something that is seen less frequently elsewhere. That very event which took place on the 29th of Bahman, 1356 (Feb. 18, 1978), is a historical marker that mustn’t be forgotten at all," he said, in what became his final public speech.



He also spoke of a more recent episode of unrest, roughly 40 days prior, which he described as a “coup attempt.” He alleged that foreign intelligence agencies, including those of the US and Israel, had orchestrated the unrest to target sensitive military and governmental sites. “My dear ones! What took place was a ‘coup’ that was defeated,” Khamenei said. “It wasn’t the case that a group of young or old people became angry somewhere… No, it was much more than that. It was a coup attempt, but this coup was crushed under the feet of the Iranian nation.” He claimed security forces, the Basij, the IRGC, and ordinary citizens had foiled the plot, preventing the seizure of key institutions, including the national broadcaster IRIB.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, was killed in a precise US–Israel airstrike on his central leadership compound in Tehran, the Israeli Defence Forces confirmed. The operation, targeting Khamenei and senior officials, ended decades of his rule, during which he commanded Iran’s armed forces, oversaw domestic repression, and directed regional proxy networks. Iranian authorities acknowledged the strike, with transitional oversight assigned to the president, judiciary chief, and a Guardian Council jurist.