Ayatollah Khamenei sends a letter to President Hassan Rouhani about the JCPOA

21 October 2015 17:41

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a letter to President Hassan Rouhani, who also heads the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), referred to the precise and responsible examination of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in the Islamic Consultative Assembly (parliament) and also the SNSC, and the clearance of this agreement through legal channels, and issued important instructions regarding the observation of and safeguarding the country’s national interests. Enumerating nine-point requirements for the implementation of the JCPOA, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei endorsed SNSC Resolution 634, dated August 10, 2015, provided that the following provisions and requirements are observed.

The full text of Ayatollah Khamenei’s letter follows on:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

Your Excellency, Mr Rouhani,

President of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Head of the Supreme National Security Council

May God bestow success upon you.

Greetings to You

The agreement known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) has already been cleared through legal channels following precise and responsible examinations in the Islamic Consultative Assembly, [parliamentary] ad hoc committees and other committees as well as the Supreme National Security Council. Since the agreement is waiting for my view, I deem it necessary to remind several points so that Your Excellency and other officials directly or indirectly involved in the issue would have enough time to comply with and safeguard national interests and the country’s best interests.

1. Before anything else, I deem it necessary to extend my gratitude to all those involved in this challenging procedure throughout all its periods, including the recent nuclear negotiating team whose members tried their best in explaining the positive points and incorporating all those points [into the agreement], critics who reminded all of us of weak points through their appreciable meticulousness, and particularly the chairman and members of the Majlis ad hoc committee [set up to review the JCPOA] as well as the senior members of the SNSC who covered some voids by including their important considerations, and finally the Speaker of Majlis and Members of Parliament who adopted a cautious bill to show the right way of implementation [of the agreement] to the administration, and also national media and the country’s journalists who despite all their differences of view presented a complete image of this agreement to public opinion. This voluminous collection of activity and endeavors and thoughts [spent] on an issue which is thought to be among the unforgettable and instructive issues of the Islamic Republic, deserves appreciation and is a source of satisfaction. Therefore, one can say with certainty that the divine reward for these responsible contributions will, God willing, include assistance and mercy and guidance by Almighty God because the divine promises of assistance in exchange for assisting His religion are unbreakable.

2. Enjoying decades-long background of presence in the very details of the affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, you must have naturally realized that the government of the United States of America, neither in the nuclear issue nor in any other issue, had been pursuing no other approach but hostility and disturbance, and is unlikely to do otherwise in the future either. The remarks by the US President [Barack Obama] in two letters addressed to me on the point that [Washington] has no intention of subverting the Islamic Republic of Iran turned out to be unreal and his open threats of military and even nuclear strike, which can result in a lengthy indictment against him in international courts, laid bare the real intentions of US leaders. Political pundits and public opinion of many nations clearly understand that the case of his never-ending hostility is the nature and identity of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is born out of the Islamic Revolution. Insistence on rightful Islamic stances and opposition to the hegemonic and arrogant system, perseverance against excessive demands and encroachment upon oppressed nations, revelations on the US support for medieval dictators and suppression of independent nations, incessant defense for the Palestinian nation and patriotic resistance groups, rational and globally popular yelling at the usurping Zionist regime constitute the main items which make the US regime’s enmity against the Islamic Republic inevitable, and this enmity will continue as long as the Islamic Republic [continues to] disappoint them with its internal and sustainable strength.

The behavior and words of the US government in the nuclear issue and its prolonged and boring negotiations showed that this (nuclear issue) was also another link in their chain of hostile enmity with the Islamic Republic. Their deception through flip-flopping between their initial remarks that came after Iran accepted to hold direct talks with them and their constant non-compliance with their pledges throughout two-year-long negotiations and their alignment with the demands of the Zionist regime and their bullying diplomacy regarding relations with European governments and bodies involved in the negotiations are all indicative of the fact that the US’s deceitful involvement in the nuclear negotiations has been done not with the intention of a fair settlement [of the case], but with the ill intention of pushing ahead with its hostile objectives about the Islamic Republic.

Doubtlessly, vigilance vis-à-vis the hostile intentions of the US government and instances of resistance on the part of the officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran throughout the negotiations managed, in numerous cases, to prevent heavy damage from being inflicted [upon Iran].

However, the outcome of the negotiations, which is enshrined in the JCPOA, has numerous ambiguities and structural weaknesses that could inflict big damage on the present and the future of the country in the absence of meticulous and constant monitoring.

3. The nine-point provisions entailed in the recent bill adopted by the Majlis and the 10-point instructions outlined in the resolution of the Supreme National Security Council carry helpful and effective points which must be taken into consideration. Meantime, there are some other necessary points which are announced here while some of the points mentioned in the two documents are highlighted.

First, since Iran has accepted to negotiate basically for the objective of removal of unjust economic and financial sanctions and its enforcement (the lifting of sanctions) is tied to Iran’s future actions under the JCPOA, it is necessary that solid and sufficient guarantees be arranged to avoid any infraction by the opposite parties. Written declaration by the US president and the European Union for the lifting of the sanctions is among them. In the statements of the EU and the US president, it must be reiterated that these sanctions will be fully lifted. Any declaration that the structure of the sanctions will remain in force shall imply non-compliance with the JCPOA.

Second, throughout the eight-year period, any imposition of sanctions at any level and under any pretext (including repetitive and fabricated pretexts of terrorism and human rights) on the part of any of the countries involved in the negotiations will constitute a violation of the JCPOA and the [Iranian] government would be obligated to take the necessary action as per Clause 3 of the Majlis bill and stop its activities committed under the JCPOA .

Third, the measures related to what is mentioned in the next two clauses will start only after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announces [the conclusion of] the past and future issues (including the so-called Possible Military Dimensions or PMD of Iran’s nuclear program).

Fourth, measures to renovate the Arak plant by preserving its heavy [water] nature will start only after a firm and secure agreement has been signed on an alternative plan, along with sufficient guarantees for its implementation.

Fifth, the deal with a foreign government for swapping enriched uranium with yellow cake will start only after a secure agreement has been clinched to that effect, along with sufficient guarantees [for its implementation]. The aforesaid deal and exchange must be done on a gradual basis and on numerous occasions.

Sixth, by virtue of the Majlis bill, the plan and the necessary preparations for mid-term development of the atomic energy industry, which includes the method of advancement in different periods of time for 15 years for the final objective of 190,000 SWU, must be drawn up and carefully reviewed by the Supreme National Security Council. This plan must allay any concern stemming from some points entailed in the JCPOA appendices.

Seventh, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran must organize research and development in different aspects such that after the end of the eight-year period, there would be no shortage of technology for the level of [uranium] enrichment entailed in the JCPOA.

Eighth, it must be noted that on the ambiguous points in the JCPOA document, the interpretation provided by the opposite party is not acceptable and the reference would be the text of the negotiations.

Ninth, the existence of complications and ambiguities in the text of the JCPOA and the suspicion of breach of promise, infractions and deception by the opposite party, particularly the US, require that a well-informed and smart panel be established to monitor the progress of affairs and [gauge] the opposite party’s commitment and realization of what was mentioned above. The composition and the tasks of this would-be panel should be determined and approved by the Supreme National Security Council.

In witness whereof, Resolution 634, dated August 10, 2015, of the Supreme National Security Council, is endorsed pending the observation of the aforementioned points.

In conclusion, as it has been notified in numerous meetings to you and other government officials and also to our dear people in public gatherings, although the lifting of sanctions is a necessary job in order to remove injustice [imposed on people] and regain the rights of the Iranian nation, economic overture and better livelihood and surmounting the current challenges will not be easy unless the Economy of Resistance is taken seriously and followed up on entirely. It is hoped that this objective will be pursued with full seriousness and special attention would be paid to enhancing national production. You should also watch out so that unbridled imports would not follow the lifting of sanctions, and particularly importing any consumer materials from the US must be seriously avoided.

I pray to Almighty God for your and other contributors’ success.

Continued sanctions breach of JCPOA: Leader

21 October 2015 11:58

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says, in a letter to President Hassan Rouhani, that any remarks which suggest sanctions against Iran will remain in place would be in contravention of the agreement reached between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries over Tehran’s nuclear program.

“Any comments suggesting the sanctions structure will remain in place or [new] sanctions will be imposed, at any level and under any pretext, would be a violation of the JCPOA,” read the letter.

On July 14, Iran and the P5+1 countries – the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia plus Germany – finalized the text of an agreement on Tehran’s nuclear program dubbed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in the Austrian capital, Vienna.

Under the JCPOA, limits will be put on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for, among other things, the removal of all economic and financial bans against the Islamic Republic related to its nuclear program.

In a related development, a commission comprising representatives from Iran and the P5+1 met in Vienna last Monday to discuss the implementation of the JCPOA.

The letter also stipulated that measures to retrofit the Arak reactor and trade the existing enriched uranium will get underway only after the Possible Military Dimensions (PMD) file on Iran’s nuclear program is closed and a secure contract with enough guarantees is clinched.

Leader’s remarks in meeting with Hajj officials

19 October 2015 16:44

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, has strongly criticized the silence of Western governments and international organizations in relation to the Mina disaster in Saudi Arabia, where thousands of pilgrims lost their lives in this year’s Hajj.

According to IRIB World Service, in a meeting on Monday with officials and managers in charge of the Hajj Pilgrimage, the Leader described the bitter, astonishing and tragic disaster in the plain of Mina, near Mecca, Saudi Arabia as “a divine test and tribulation”, and emphasized that this huge disaster” must never be forgotten, and Iran’s foreign ministry, and Pilgrimage and Hajj organization must seriously pursue this matter.

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei referred to the responsibilities of the host nation (i.e. Saudi Arabia) in relation to nearly 7000 Muslims losing their lives in this year’s Hajj. He pointedly added: “WE should have heard the protests of Islamic nations, protesting with one voice, right after this disaster, but this did not happen, and apart from Iran’s protests, hardly no other nation protested, and this is sad, since even those countries whose pilgrims were crushed to death in Mina, virtually uttered no word of protest -- they made no substantial protest”.

In further remarks, the Leader said it is the duty of Iran’s foreign ministry and Iranian diplomats to follow up on the Mina disaster, to pursue this case legally, to talk to other governments and make sure that they understand the gravity of what has happened, and to find ways of preventing such disasters from happening again. The Leader added: “On the face of it, the tragedy happened because of carelessness and incompetence of the host nation, but in any case, this is not a political issue, since what we are talking about is thousands of Muslims, who were performing the Hajj and worshipping God, they were completing the rituals of Hajj, and they died whilst wearing the special clothes of Hajj pilgrims.

The Leader went on to say that those organizations which are supposed to be champions of human rights, in Europe and the United States, have kept totally silent with regards to the Mina disaster and this is another aspect which can be pursued further. The Leader poignantly added: “Organizations which are supposed to advocate human rights, and Western governments, which on occasions make a huge fuss and media hype about the death of just one person, said virtually nothing and kept silent with regards to the deaths of thousands of people in Saudi Arabia, since it was to the benefit of their “close friend”-- Saudi Arabia -- if they said nothing on this occasion.

The Leader pointedly added: “If they were genuine about human rights, if they were true champions of human rights, then they would have demanded accountability from the Saudi authorities, they should have demanded compensation from the Saudi authorities for the victims of this tragedy, they should have demanded guarantees that incidents like this would not happen in the future, and they should have called for those responsible to be brought to justice”.

In further remarks, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said it is the duty of Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage organization not to allow this disaster to be forgotten or ignored, and for years to come, we must discuss the Mina disaster in international gatherings and international forums. The Leader pointedly added: “The Hajj and Pilgrimage organization must pursue this matter legally, and must demand compensation for the victims”.

Before the Leaders’ speech, the Leaders representative for Hajj affairs, Hojjat-ol-Islam Seyyed Ali Ghazi Asgar, presented a brief overview and summary of this year’s Hajj.

Leader meets with the family of martyr Hamedani

19 October 2015 05:14

Leader of the Islamic Revolution paid a visit to the family of General Hussein Hamedani who was recently martyred in Syria.

According to the website of the Leader’s office, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, attending at the house of General Hamedani, sympathizing with his family, expressed his condolences to the family members on the martyrdom of this great commander.

Ayatollah Khamenei, referring to sincerity and struggle of General Hamedani in the fields of danger, describes this exhilarating fate as the age-old desire of the combatants in the way of God. The leader added, “God has kept the door of martyrdom open for His pure servants and it is piteous that the death of those who struggle in the path of God and role models like Hamedani be destined other than martyrdom.”

The leader, describing the glorious funeral ceremony of Martyr Hamedani in Tehran and Hamedan as the manifestation of the divine reward for the sincerity of this great martyr, added, “This astonishing presence springs from the attraction and sincerity of that martyr.”

Ayatollah Khamenei, glorifying the patience and gratitude of the wife and family of Martyr Hamedani and pointing to sharing the reward of martyrs by their families, stated, “Continuation of the course of martyrdom and ever-increasing vividness of this grand bounty in the society are indebted to this very patience and gratitude.”

Iran progress tied with revolutionary ideology: Leader

14 October 2015 09:03

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says as long as the revolutionary movement and ideology continue to exist, Iran’s progress, influence, grandeur and spiritual dominance will increase in the region and beyond.

According to Press TV, Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks in a Wednesday meeting with a number of Iranian elites in the capital, Tehran.

International scientific centers which determine indicators for scientific progress bear testimony to Iran's development, said the Leader.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader warned against certain “individuals and elements” who, making use of print media and other forums, keep frustrating the people and youth and “negating” the country’s scientific developments as well as key accomplishments.

Ayatollah Khamenei urged officials to remain on the watch regarding such moves, saying, “The country’s major scientific developments in the fields of nano, stem cells and nuclear issue are not an illusion, but rather realities which the whole world is aware of.”

Therefore, said the Leader, to disappoint the youth and deny the scientific and technological momentum in the country would be a betrayal of the country and of national honor.

The Leader said the Iranian young generation can be proud of taking the credit for leading the country to top levels of scientific progress.

Leader calls IRIB personnel “soldiers” of Iran’s counter offensive in the West’s soft war

12 October 2015 14:55

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, has described the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting Corporation (IRIB) as Iran’s first line of defense and active frontline base for countering the West’s “soft war”.

According to IRIB World Service, speaking on Monday in a meeting in Tehran with the Head and Senior managers of IRIB, he said the most important objective of this highly-complex soft war is to induce doubt, or change or weaken the fundamental beliefs of the Iranian people. The Leader went on to emphasize the unique role IRIB plays in seriously countering this Western war, while spelling out the main objectives of the hegemonic powers extensive soft war against Iran.

On the importance of IRIB and the key role it plays in countering the West’s soft war against Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “Inevitably, IRIB will be involved in the many intricacies, turns and twists of the Soft War. This is natural”.

He poignantly added: “Unlike military warfare, soft war is often subtle, intangible, difficult to grasp, and sometimes even imperceptible, and sometimes the other side “scores” in this soft war, but because it is so subtle, the victim may even be unaware that it has been hit or attacked”.

Turning to the real and ultimate objectives of the soft war, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said: “Their ultimate objective is to metamorphose Iranian society from within, by casting doubt, and changing our fundamental beliefs, by weakening and softening our faith, particularly the beliefs and faith of younger members of our society. They want us to crumble from within.”

He added: “They want young people to have unreal and incorrect beliefs about the West. They want young people to think of the US and Europe as highly advanced, comfortable, and safe societies where people have no difficulties whatsoever.”

In further remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei said that from the point of view of the enemies of Iran and as part of “the soft war against Iran”, the existence of the Islamic Republic and its leadership by a religious scholar is not important, rather what is important from their point of view is that Iran should be subservient to, and follow the United States, Zionism and the global powers.

Elsewhere in his remarks, he said precise planning and hard work are two characteristics of those who design, plan, and implement “the soft war” against Iran. He added: “In all the cultural products – audio, visual, and printed materials – of the enemies of the Islamic Republic, the aims and objectives of the soft war against Iran are pursued carefully, albeit often in an indirect way”.

Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that IRIB is the national broadcaster and voice of the Islamic Revolution and Islamic Iran, and as such, the managers and personnel of the IRIB can be regarded as “leading generals, officers and foot soldiers in Iran’s counter-offensive to the West’s soft war”.

In further remarks, he said the best way for Iran’s national broadcaster to achieve its aims and objectives in relation to the Western soft war is that the IRIB should have its own highly accurate and realistic analysis of the domestic situation inside the country, as well as the situation within the wider region, and indeed the wider world, so that this analysis can be the basis of all programme-making and other activities within the IRIB.

Before the Leader’s speech, IRIB Head, Dr. Mohammad Sarfaraz briefed the gathering on the important task shouldered by the national media.

Leader’s message on the occasion of Iranian commander’s martyrdom

10 October 2015 08:14

Leader of the Islamic revolution, issuing a message, expressed his condolences on the occasion of martyrdom of top commander Brigadier General Hussein Hamedani.

Part of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei’s message reads, “I express my condolences to the respectable family, survivors, friends, fellow-combatants and the honorable system of Islamic Revolution Guards Corps on the martyrdom of the glorious commander, Hussein Hamedani.”

The leader stressed, “This old, sincere and hardworking combatant passed his pure and pious youth in the fronts of nobility and dignity to defend the Islamic land and Islamic Republic system; and passed the final phase of his blessed life and radiant visage in defence of the sanctuary of immaculate Ahl al-Bayt (Peace upon them) to struggle against the Takfiri and anti-Islam villains; and in the same front attained his wish of losing his life while striving in the way of Allah. Blessing and mercy of God to him.

Brigadier General Hussein Hamedani, one of the IRGC commanders and Iranian senior military adviser in Syria, attained martyrdom in Syria on Thursday.

Leader stresses necessity of encountering cultural invasion

07 October 2015 10:29

Leader of the Islamic revolution called for increasing governmental, non-governmental and national efforts to counter cultural invasion of the enemies and foreigners.

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, addressing the visiting members of the Congress of Martyrs of Chahar Mahal Bakhtiyari, emphasized that the Islamic Republic of Iran has taken good measures to counter the enemies’ cultural and ideological invasions but the efforts should be increased in this regard.

Highlighting the necessity to revive the concept of martyrdom, the value of martyrdom and martyrs, the leader made it clear that the enemy through usage of all its tools has embarked on dealing blows of cultural and political onslaughts, undermining religious and political beliefs of the Iranian nation, increasing discontent and recruiting youths within the framework of the arrogant goals.

Talks with US banned because of disadvantages: Leader

07 October 2015 10:29

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says holding negotiations with the US is banned as it has countless disadvantages and no benefits.

The Leader made the remarks in a meeting with commanders and staff members of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)’s Navy as well as their families in Tehran on Wednesday, Press TV reported.

“The problem currently facing the country is due to certain individuals who are quite thoughtless or quite credulous and don’t understand these realities,” said Ayatollah Khamenei in an apparent reference to those who favor talks with Washington.

Holding talks with Washington would be tantamount to “infiltration” and paving the way for imposing its will, the Leader noted.

Ayatollah Khamenei further said the enemies had planned to make the Persian Gulf region insecure for Iran, but the naval forces of the IRGC made the plot backfire and the waters “became insecure for the enemies themselves.”

Leader pardons, eases sentences of 630 convicts

04 October 2015 12:35

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has pardoned or commuted the sentences of a number of Iranian convicts.

The Leader on Saturday agreed to a request by Iran's Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani to pardon or reduce the sentences of 630 eligible inmates convicted by public courts and courts of revolution, the Judicial Organization of Armed Forces and the State Discretionary Punishment Organization.

In an earlier letter to the Leader, Ayatollah Larijani had asked for clemency for the eligible convicts on the occasion of Eid al-Adha (the Feast of Sacrifice) and Eid al-Ghadeer.

The 10th day of the lunar Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah marks the Eid al-Adha, which is celebrated at the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

The Eid al-Ghadeer, which marks the occasion of the appointment by Islam’s Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) as his successor, is also celebrated on the 18th day of Dhul Hijjah.

Leader’s remarks in meeting with top Generals, Commanders of Iranian Army

01 October 2015 10:33

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, has emphasized that Iran’s armed forces must be so advanced, powerful, and combat-ready that the enemies won’t even dare to think of attacking Iran.

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, in a meeting on Thursday morning in the northern Iranian city of Nowshahr, with top Generals and Commanders of the Iranian Army, emphasized that (Western) hostility towards the Islamic revolution stems from the Iranian nations’ resilience, and Iran’s refusal to surrender to the demands of the hegemonic and arrogant powers.

The Leader went on to say that the resilience of the Iranian, particularly during eight years of sacred defense, was an important experience that the whole world witnessed.

Ayatollah Khamenei added: “The system of the Islamic Republic is an independent system, and right from the very beginning of the Islamic revolution, Iran has forthrightly and openly pursued its own independent policies, and we are not afraid of any power on earth, and we are certainly not afraid of opposing their policies”.

The Leader added: “Emergence of an independent nation that is opposed to the bullies and their affiliates is not tolerable for the hegemonic system”.

Ayatollah Khamenei talked of serious and heavy hostility to Iran’s stunning independent approach, and noted that the enemies want the complete surrender of the Islamic Republic, and compromising or backing down will not result in removal of all hostilities against Iran.

The Leader said it is wrong to think that if Iran adopts a “softer approach” toward the enemy, the latter will reduce its hostility towards us.

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