Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has urged citizens to focus on economic resilience, calling for an “economic and cultural jihad” in a Labour Day and Teachers’ Day message.
He said Iran had demonstrated its strength on the military front and must now “disappoint and defeat” its adversaries in the economic and cultural spheres.
In a message carried by Iranian media on Friday, Khamenei called on Iranians to wage what he described as an “economic battle” and a “cultural battle” against the country’s enemies.
The message marked Workers’ Day and Teachers’ Day, which fall on Friday and Saturday.
Khamenei said that after more than 47 years of struggle, Iran had shown the world part of its unique military capabilities in confronting enemies of its progress.
‘We must defeat the enemy in economic jihad’
Khamenei said Iran’s military strength had already been demonstrated and that the next priority was resilience at home. “We must defeat the enemy in the economic jihad phase,” he said in a press statement.
He added that the Iranian people were showing support for the armed forces through their presence in public spaces.
Khamenei described teachers and workers as central to Iran’s next phase of national resistance. Teachers, he said, are the most influential link in the cultural battle, while workers are among the most effective elements in the economic battle.
He called them “the backbones” of the cultural and economic arenas.
Iran marked National Teachers’ Day on May 2, coinciding with the martyrdom anniversary of prominent Iranian scholar Ayatollah Morteza Mutahhari.
International Workers’ Day, also known as May Day, is marked every year on May 1.
Iran’s progress tied to knowledge and labour
Khamenei said the country’s progress depends on “the twin pillars of knowledge and labour.” He called for practical support for both teachers and workers, saying verbal tributes alone are not enough.
According to him, teachers carry the “grave responsibility” of teaching skills, nurturing insight and shaping the identity of the next generation.
“Students will reflect, like a mirror, the behaviours and words of their teachers,” he said.
Turning to workers, Khamenei described the workplace as an arena “as wide as the country itself.” He said hard work and commitment are the “pillars of any great success.”
Khamenei framed economic stability as a national priority, especially after recent disruptions affecting businesses and workers.
Citizens told to prioritize domestic products
Khamenei urged Iranians to prioritize the consumption of domestically produced goods. He said support for local products would help strengthen domestic workers and protect Iran’s economy from outside pressure.
The call was presented as part of a wider push to reinforce economic self-reliance and reduce dependence on foreign goods.
Khamenei also appealed to business owners, especially those running struggling enterprises, to avoid layoffs wherever possible. He said companies affected by recent disruptions should work to retain their workforce.
Every worker, he said, should be regarded as a “source of wealth” for their operation, with government support.
Khamenei warned officials that occasional verbal praise for teachers and workers is not enough. He said the Iranian nation had shown strong support for its military forces and should also demonstrate meaningful backing for teachers and workers.
He also called for greater interaction between families and school administrators.
Khamenei links identity, labour and progress
Reflecting on Iran’s emergence as a military power, Khamenei expressed hope that the country would continue moving “toward the peaks of progress and excellence.”
He said this progress would be supported by strengthening Iranian-Islamic identity through teachers and by prioritizing domestic goods produced by workers.
His message placed economic resilience, cultural unity and workforce protection at the heart of Iran’s national strategy.
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