Unified public presence in Bahman 22 march, strongest deterrent against enemies: Custodian 

Speaking at the beginning of his advanced jurisprudence class held on February 10 at Imam Reza shrine, Ayat. Ahmad Marvi emphasized irreplaceable role of national unity and public presence. “The unified and conscious participation of the Iranian nation in political and revolutionary arenas provides a deterrent power far greater than any military capability, and no armed force can stand against a united nation”.
Referring to the United States’ attack on Iraq in late 2002, he noted: “The Americans launched the invasion after concluding that the Iraqi people did not support Saddam’s criminal regime. For this reason, they were able to topple the government in less than a month”. 
He added that although Saddam was their own agent and had to fall, the United States would never have taken such a risk if it believed the Iraqi people stood behind him.
He said that throughout the years following the Islamic Revolution, it has been the unity of the people and their collective presence that has neutralized enemy plots and served as the real deterrent.
The top official recalled the conditions of the Sacred Defense, noting, “Saddam attacked Iran on behalf of global powers. Persian Gulf littoral states financed his war, and both the East and the West supplied him with weapons, intelligence and military training. Iran, newly emerged from Islamic Revolution, lacked an organized army, a fully formed IRGC and sufficient weaponry. Not only were weapons not sold to Iran, even equipment with civilian uses that might one day have military application was withheld”.
He said Saddam failed to achieve any of his goals and Iran emerged victorious because the people stood behind the country.
AQR’s head acknowledged the existence of grievances, including economic hardship, injustice, corruption and abuse of power, and said: “These issues cannot be ignored. However, flaws do not justify indifference toward the essence of the Revolution. Weakening national unity or giving hope to the enemy is the greatest service to those who oppose the country”.
He said the real deterrent power of the Islamic Republic lies in the timely and conscious presence of the people. “Events such as those of 1999, 2009 and 2022, along with the significant public turnout in the Dey 9 and Bahman 22 marches, have sent a clear message to enemies: despite difficulties, the Iranian people stand by the foundation of the system”.
Ayat. Marvi added that Iran is not comparable to any other country where foreign-designed scenarios have succeeded. “Iran’s deep religious culture, Shia identity and strong leadership rooted in faith disrupt enemy calculations”.
The Custodian of Astan Qods Razavi said that when the enemy faces an unbreakable barrier, it is forced to retreat. “But if it senses cracks, it becomes emboldened. National unity is the most powerful weapon, just as it was during the Sacred Defense when the entire nation stood behind Imam Khomeini”.
He stressed the enemy has tried every method—from sanctions and military pressure to media warfare and attempts to create internal unrest—but has failed. “The only way to completely discourage the enemy is through public presence, national unity and social cohesion”.
Ayat. Marvi concluded that an enemy with no commitment to humanity, ethics or justice understands only the language of power and unity. “Public participation in marches, especially the Bahman 22 march, is one of the most effective means of discouraging the enemy and the strongest deterrent. The dignity, independence and protection of the martyrs’ legacy depend on the unity and collective voice of the Iranian nation”.