SAEDNEWS: Ayatollah Khamenei has traveled to several countries worldwide, with one of the most significant trips being to the United States to deliver a speech at the United Nations General Assembly.
According to the political service of SaedNews, quoting Fars News Agency, before being appointed as Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei made several foreign trips to countries including the United States, China, North Korea, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Libya, Syria, India, and Pakistan. This report reviews all these trips and covers some interesting details and anecdotes about them.
United States
In 1987, during his presidency, Ayatollah Khamenei traveled to the United States and delivered a speech at the United Nations General Assembly, in which he compared Saddam Hussein to Hitler and said: "Our revolution proved that one can refuse to accept domination by oppressive powers, not take their bullying seriously, and not pay them tribute!" According to the British, this speech was humiliating for the West. British Foreign Secretary Geoffrey Howe described the speech as entirely provocative and humiliating to the West. Canadian Foreign Minister Joe Clark also called the speech devastating.
Syria
In 1985, at the invitation of the late Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, the first foreign trip by an Iranian president in history was made by Ayatollah Khamenei. Beyond political and military bilateral goals, the main purpose of this visit was to isolate the Zionist regime and counter the reconciliation trend among Arab countries. During this trip, he also visited the shrine of Lady Zainab (peace be upon her).
Algeria
The Leader also traveled to Algeria, where he received an unprecedented welcome from the people. Regarding his trip to Algeria in 2004, he recounted an interesting memory: "I had returned from Algeria and described the scene I saw there to the Imam, saying this welcome was not about me personally; it was about honoring you. Now neither myself, nor Mr. Khatami, nor any officials who travel abroad and receive such welcomes are the focus; people do not know our identities; they may know our names, but they know the Imam and the revolution; the personality that shone like the sun and everyone felt it."
Libya
Ayatollah Khamenei traveled to Libya in 1984, where an interesting event took place. Ayatollah Khazali said: "In Libya, they had set up a tent with a low door entrance, so everyone had to bow to enter. Inside the tent, opposite the door, was a picture of Gaddafi, meaning everyone who entered would involuntarily bow their head before his picture. However, when Ayatollah Khamenei wanted to enter, he did so backwards to avoid bowing to Gaddafi’s photo." This shows his meticulous attention to national issues and never compromising Iran’s national interests and dignity.
China
In 1989, about a month before Imam Khomeini’s passing, the Supreme Leader traveled to China and North Korea. Like his other trips, the China visit had interesting incidents. Before the Iranian delegation’s plane landed in Beijing, it was announced that due to the illness of the Chinese leader, the meeting with the Iranian president was canceled. Ayatollah Khamenei’s initiative was to cancel meetings with other Chinese officials as well to send an indirect message that Iran’s representatives are no less important than the Chinese leader. This led the Chinese Prime Minister to personally visit Ayatollah Khamenei to apologize. The then Iranian ambassador to China, Boroujerdi, said: "The Chinese Prime Minister came from the Great Hall of the People to the Iranian president’s residence and shouted from afar: ‘The younger comes to visit the elder!’ Then he entered the room. He spoke with the Leader for about 15 minutes and said: ‘We have the utmost respect for our guests, especially for a figure like you. The Chinese leader’s illness is serious, and doctors have forbidden visits. However, we will follow up on this meeting until it happens.’" This wise conduct by Ayatollah Khamenei brought dignity and respect to the Iranian team in China, and the Chinese leader later met with the Iranian president separately for twice the scheduled time.
North Korea
In May 1989, before the China trip, Ayatollah Khamenei traveled to North Korea, where he received an extraordinary and grand welcome. He delivered an impressive speech in the North Korean parliament that moved all attendees, including the North Korean leader, and led officials to give him a standing ovation. At that time, Haj Ahmad Khomeini was on alert to rush to Imam’s room if the alarm bell rang. One day at 7 PM, the alarm sounded. Ahmad initially thought Imam had suffered a stroke, but Imam was sitting in his room watching TV, which was showing scenes of Ayatollah Khamenei’s trip to North Korea. Imam said after watching: "Don’t let it be too late! I have repeatedly told you and Mr. Hashemi to promote Mr. Khamenei. Seeing this greatness is delightful!"
Pakistan
The Pakistan trip in 1985 was another where Ayatollah Khamenei earned great respect from the people and officials. At the airport, he was officially welcomed by the president and prime minister. Later, when he appeared on the streets, he was met by massive crowds. AFP wrote: "Thousands of supporters, many having traveled kilometers by bus and vehicles decorated with Ayatollah Khomeini’s pictures, completely overwhelmed the control of Pakistani security forces." He also visited the tomb of Allama Iqbal Lahore. The scheduled 15-minute visit turned into 4 hours due to the crowd, even though the visit had not been publicized.
India
In 1980, as head of the Supreme Defense Council, Ayatollah Khamenei traveled to India to defend Iran’s national interests. He met with then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and discussed Iran’s conditions for ending the Iran-Iraq war. Gandhi, after hearing Iran’s position, avoided taking a clear stance and said: "We regret this war because it causes great losses, and we must try to stop it. Sometimes condemning us intensifies the war." Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized: "A government like India’s must condemn this aggression without any reservation. Of course, condemning or not condemning Iraq does not affect the war’s outcome; our people will decide the war’s fate!"
Iraq
At age 7 in 1946, Ayatollah Khamenei traveled with his family to Iraq, staying for six months. He also visited Iraq at age 18.
Saudi Arabia
In 1979, Ayatollah Khamenei traveled to Saudi Arabia for Hajj pilgrimage. Notably, during this trip, the U.S. Embassy was seized on November 4, 1979 (13 Aban 1358), and Ayatollah Khamenei and Hashemi Rafsanjani received this news while in Mecca.
Ayatollah Khamenei was appointed Supreme Leader in 1989 and has not traveled abroad since. Prominent world politicians have visited Tehran to meet with him.
