Introduction and Objective: The relationship between language and thought is reciprocal, meaning that language serves as a display window for thoughts and ideas that have long been embedded in the human mind and are conveyed to the audience in appropriate contexts. A significant factor in the systematic study and interpretation of texts and speeches is linguistic analysis and its application in this reading. Speech act theory, proposed by John Searle, is a linguistic framework used to analyze speech. This study aims to analyze the televised messages of the Ayatollah Khamenei following Israel’s aggression against Iran based on John Searle’s speech act theory.
Research Question: Based on John Searle’s speech act theory, what speech acts did the Ayatollah Khamenei use in his televised messages addressed to the Iranian nation after the Israeli aggression (June 13 to July 25, 2025)? What does the frequency analysis of these speech acts indicate?
Hypothesis: Given the Ayatollah Khamenei’s position in the Iranian political system and the Shiite world, assertive speech acts—which include analyses of events and incidents—are expected to predominate in his statements.
Method: This research employs both quantitative (descriptive statistics) and qualitative (descriptive-analytical) methods. Data collection was conducted through purposive sampling, and content validity was confirmed via a focus group.
Results and Discussion: The results indicate that assertive speech acts occurred with the highest frequency, while declarative speech acts had the lowest frequency in the Leader’s discourse. The frequencies were as follows: assertive acts 57.04%, expressive acts 14.39%, directive acts 10.60%, commissive acts 12.87%, and declarative acts 0.75%. These findings affirm previous research on the speech act analysis of the Supreme Leader’s discourse.
Conclusion: The Ayatollah Khamenei’s statements imply that Iran seeks a military response to any Israeli adventurism and has no intention of surrendering or retreating. This response may even take a preemptive form, signaling a potential shift in the country’s defensive discourse. The Supreme Leader endeavors to maintain national cohesion and unity, projecting a unified voice externally to deter any enemy ambitions. The high frequency of assertive speech acts demonstrates, firstly, his intent to clarify the nature of the aggression and the enemy’s objectives to the public. Secondly, from his position as the Leader of Iran and the Resistance Front, he outlines the future path of struggle and resistance against Israel. Thirdly, the messages send clear warnings to Israel and the U.S. regarding the strength of Iran’s armed forces and the nation’s resilience against any aggression or provocation. Additionally, the high frequency of emotional acts reflects his aim to convey calmness and assurance to society, alleviating fear and concern about the future, while also humiliating and blaming the enemy for its failure to achieve its goals