To the Youth in Western Countries

In the Name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful

To the Youth in Western Countries,

The bitter events brought about by blind terrorism in France have once again, moved me to speak to you young people. For me, it is unfortunate that such incidents would have to create the framework for a conversation, however the truth is that if painful matters do not create the grounds for finding solutions and mutual consultation, then the damage caused will be multiplied.

The pain of any human being anywhere in the world causes sorrow for a fellow human being. The sight of a child losing his life in the presence of his loved ones, a mother whose joy for her family turns into mourning, a husband who is rushing the lifeless body of his spouse to some place and the spectator who does not know whether he will be seeing the final scene of life- these are scenes that rouse the emotions and feelings of any human being. Anyone who has benefited from affection and humanity is affected and disturbed by witnessing these scenes- whether it occurs in France or in Palestine or Iraq or Lebanon or Syria.

Without a doubt, the one-and-a-half billion Muslims also have these feelings and abhor and are revolted by the perpetrators and those responsible for these calamities. The issue, however, is that if today’s pain is not used to build a better and safer future, then it will just turn into bitter and fruitless memories. I genuinely believe that it is only you youth who by learning the lessons of today’s hardship, have the power to discover new means for building the future and who can be barriers in the misguided path that has brought the west to its current impasse.

Anyone who has benefited from affection and humanity is affected and disturbed by witnessing these scenes- whether it occurs in France or in Palestine or Iraq or Lebanon or Syria.

It is correct that today terrorism is our common worry. However it is necessary for you to know that the insecurity and strain that you experienced during the recent events, differs from the pain that the people of Iraq, Yemen, Syria and Afghanistan have been experiencing for many years, in two significant ways. First, the Islamic world has been the victim of terror and brutality to a larger extent territorially, to greater amount quantitatively and for a longer period in terms of time. Second, that unfortunately this violence has been supported by certain great powers through various methods and effective means.

Today, there are very few people who are uninformed about the role of the United States of America in creating, nurturing and arming al-Qaeda, the Taliban and their inauspicious successors. Besides this direct support, the overt and well-known supporters of takfiri terrorism- despite having the most backward political systems- are standing arrayed as allies of the west while the most pioneering, brightest and most dynamic democrats in the region are suppressed mercilessly. The prejudiced response of the west to the awakening movement in the Islamic world is an illustrative example of the contradictory western policies.

I genuinely believe that it is only you youth who by learning the lessons of today’s hardship can be barriers in the misguided path that has brought the west to its current impasse.

The other side of these contradictory policies is seen in supporting the state terrorism of Israel. The oppressed people of Palestine have experienced the worst kind of terrorism for the last sixty years. If the people of Europe have now taken refuge in their homes for a few days and refrain from being present in busy places- it is decades that a Palestinian family is not secure even in its own home from the Zionist regime’s death and destruction machinery. What kind of atrocious violence today is comparable to that of the settlement constructions of the Zionists regime?

This regime- without ever being seriously and significantly censured by its influential allies or even by the so-called independent international organizations- everyday demolishes the homes of Palestinians and destroys their orchards and farms. This is done without even giving them time to gather their belongings or agricultural products and usually it is done in front of the terrified and tear-filled eyes of women and children who witness the brutal beatings of their family members who in some cases are being dragged away to gruesome torture chambers. In today’s world, do we know of any other violence on this scale and scope and for such an extended period of time?

Shooting down a woman in the middle of the street for the crime of protesting against a soldier who is armed to the teeth- if this is not terrorism, what is? This barbarism, because it is being done by the armed forces of an occupying government, should not be called extremism? Or maybe only because these scenes have been seen repeatedly on television screens for sixty years, they should no longer stir our consciences.

The military invasions of the Islamic world in recent years- with countless victims- are another example of the contradictory logic of the west. The assaulted countries, in addition to the human damage caused, have lost their economic and industrial infrastructure, their movement towards growth and development has been stopped or delayed and in some cases, has been thrown back decades. Despite all this, they are rudely being asked not to see themselves as oppressed. How can a country be turned into ruins, have its cities and towns covered in dust and then be told that it should please not view itself as oppressed? Instead of enticements to not understand and to not mention disasters, would not an honest apology be better? The pain that the Islamic world has suffered in these years from the hypocrisy and duplicity of the invaders is not less than the pain from the material damage.

Dear youth! I have the hope that you- now or in the future- can change this mentality corrupted by duplicity, a mentality whose highest skill is hiding long-term goals and adorning malevolent objectives.

Dear youth! I have the hope that you- now or in the future- can change this mentality corrupted by duplicity, a mentality whose highest skill is hiding long-term goals and adorning malevolent objectives. In my opinion, the first step in creating security and peace is reforming this violence-breeding mentality. Until double-standards dominate western policies, until terrorism- in the view of its powerful supporters- is divided into “good” and “bad” types, and until governmental interests are given precedence over human values and ethics, the roots of violence should not be searched for in other places.

Unfortunately, these roots have taken hold in the depths of western political culture over the course of many years and they have caused a soft and silent invasion. Many countries of the world take pride in their local and national cultures, cultures which through development and regeneration have soundly nurtured human societies for centuries. The Islamic world is not an exception to this. However in the current era, the western world with the use of advanced tools is insisting on the cloning and replication of its culture on a global scale. I consider the imposition of western culture upon other peoples and the trivialization of independent cultures as a form of silent violence and extreme harmfulness.

Humiliating rich cultures and insulting the most honored parts of these, is occurring while the alternative culture being offered in no way has any qualification for being a replacement. For example, the two elements of “aggression” and “moral promiscuity” which unfortunately have become the main elements of western culture, has even degraded the position and acceptability of its source region.

So now the question is: are we “sinners” for not wanting an aggressive, vulgar and fatuous culture? Are we to be blamed for blocking the flood of impropriety that is directed towards our youth in the shape of various forms of quasi-art? I do not deny the importance and value of cultural interaction. Whenever these interactions are conducted in natural circumstances and with respect for the receiving culture, they result in growth, development and richness. On the contrary, inharmonious interactions have been unsuccessful and harmful impositions.

We have to state with full regret that vile groups such as DAESH are the spawn of such ill-fated pairings with imported cultures. If the matter was simply theological, we would have had to witness such phenomena before the colonialist era, yet history shows the contrary. Authoritative historical records clearly show how colonialist confluence of extremist and rejected thoughts in the heart of a Bedouin tribe, planted the seed of extremism in this region. How then is it possible that such garbage as DAESH comes out of one of the most ethical and humane religious schools who as part of its inner core, includes the notion that taking the life of one human being is equivalent to killing the whole humanity?

One has to ask why people who are born in Europe and who have been intellectually and mentally nurtured in that environment are attracted to such groups? Can we really believe that people with only one or two trips to war zones, suddenly become so extreme that they can riddle the bodies of their compatriots with bullets? On this matter, we certainly cannot forget about the effects of a life nurtured in a pathologic culture in a corrupt environment borne out of violence. On this matter, we need complete analyses, analyses that see the hidden and apparent corruptions. Maybe a deep hate- planted in the years of economic and industrial growth and borne out of inequality and possibly legal and structural prejudice- created ideas that every few years appear in a sickening manner.

Any rushed and emotional reaction which would isolate, intimidate and create more anxiety for the Muslim communities living in Europe and America not only will not solve the problem but will increase the chasms and resentments.

In any case, you are the ones that have to uncover the apparent layers of your own society and untie and disentangle the knots and resentments. Fissures have to be sealed, not deepened. Hasty reactions is a major mistake when fighting terrorism which only widens the chasms. Any rushed and emotional reaction which would isolate, intimidate and create more anxiety for the Muslim communities living in Europe and America- which are comprised of millions of active and responsible human beings- and which would deprive them of their basic rights more than has already happened and which would drive them away from society- not only will not solve the problem but will increase the chasms and resentments.

Superficial measures and reactions, especially if they take legal forms, will do nothing but increase the current polarizations, open the way for future crises and will result in nothing else. According to reports received, some countries in Europe have issued guidelines encouraging citizens to spy on Muslims. This behavior is unjust and we all know that pursuing injustice has the characteristic of unwanted reversibility. Besides, the Muslims do not deserve such ill-treatment. For centuries, the western world has known Muslims well- the day that westerners were guests in Islamic lands and were attracted to the riches of their hosts and on another day when they were hosts and benefitted from the efforts and thoughts of Muslims- they generally experienced nothing but kindness and forbearance.

Therefore I want you youth to lay the foundations for a correct and honorable interaction with the Islamic world based on correct understanding, deep insight and lessons learned from horrible experiences. In such a case and in the not too distant future, you will witness the edifice built on these firm foundations which creates a shade of confidence and trust which cools the crown of its architect, a warmth of security and peace that it bequests on them and a blaze of hope in a bright future which illuminates the canvass of the earth.

Sayyid Ali Khamenei

8th of Azar, 1394 - 29th of Nov, 2015

Supreme Leader’s Hajj Message 2015

(2015/09/23 - 11:45)

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

Greetings to the holy Ka’aba, the base of monotheism and pilgrimage place of the faithful and the place on which angels land, and greetings to Masjid al-Haram and Arafat and Mash’ar and Mina, and greetings to humble hearts, and tongues mentioning [God], and eyes opened with insight, and thoughts which have set examples to others, and greetings to you blissful Hajj pilgrims, who have succeeded in answering positive to the divine call and are taking advantage of this bountiful occasion.

The first duty [of Hajj pilgrims] is to muse on this global and historical and eternal positive response [to the divine call]: “verily all thanks and blessings are yours as well as [absolute] rule, [and] there is no partner for you, [and I] accept [your call].” All eulogies and thanks belong to Him, all blessings come from Him, and all the rule and power belong to Him. This is the viewpoint that is given to a Hajj pilgrim at the first step of this rich and meaningful obligation and continuation of these rituals takes place in coordination with it and then, like a lasting teaching and an unforgettable lesson, is put in front of him and requires him to regulate his life plan on its basis. Learning this great lesson and acting upon it is the same blessed spring which can impart vivacity and liveliness and dynamism to the lives of Muslims and relieve them from the problems with which they are grappling – both at this time and in all [other] times.

The idol of [human] proclivities and vanity and lust, the idol of seeking dominance [over others] and submission to dominance, the idol of the global arrogance, the idol of laziness and irresponsibility, and all idols that bring humiliation to the endeared human soul will be shattered with this Abrahamic outcry, when it comes from the bottom of one’s heart and turns into a life plan, and will substitute freedom and dignity and health for dependence and hardship and affliction.

Brethren and sisters who are performing the Hajj pilgrimage, from any nation and any country, think about this wise divine word and through a painstaking approach to problems facing the Islamic world, especially in West Asia and North Africa, define for yourself, in view of your personal and environmental capacities and potentialities, a duty and responsibility and [then] strive toward [fulfilling] it.

Today, the mischievous policies of America in this region, which are the source of war and bloodshed and devastation and homelessness as well as poverty and backwardness and ethnic and religious differences, on the one hand, and crimes [committed] by the Zionist regime, which has taken its usurping behavior in the country of Palestine to the ultimate degree of ruthlessness and evilness, in addition to repeated violations of the sacred sanctuary of the al-Aqsa Mosque and trampling on the lives and property of the oppressed Palestinians, on the other hand, are the foremost problem for all of you Muslims, about which you must think and in the face of which you must know your Islamic obligation. And religious ulema and political and cultural elites shoulder a much heavier responsibility, which is unfortunately ignored by them most of the time. The ulema, instead of fanning the flames of religious discord, and the politicians, instead of passivity in the face of the enemy, and the cultural elite, instead of being preoccupied with marginal issues, [must try to] know the great ailment of the Islamic world and accept their mission, which they are responsible to fulfill before God, and try to cope with it. The regretful incidents in the region, [including] in Iraq and the Levant and Yemen and Bahrain, and in the West Bank and Gaza, and in some other Asian and African countries, are major problems of the Islamic Ummah in which the plotting hands of the global arrogance must be seen and for which a remedy must be sought. Nations must demand this from their governments and governments must remain loyal to their heavy responsibility.

And Hajj and its glorious gatherings are the loftiest place for the rise and exchange of this historic obligation. And the opportunity to denounce [infidels], which must be valued through participation of all Hajj pilgrims from all places, is one of the most expressive political rituals in this overarching obligation.

This year, the bitter and devastating incident of Masjid al-Haram, brought bitterness to [all] Hajj pilgrims and their nations. It is true that those who passed away in this incident, who went to meet their God while saying prayers and going around [Ka’aba] and worshipping [God], have achieved great bliss and are, God willing, resting in the sanctuary of divine safety and observance and mercy, and this could be a great source of consolation for their families, but this [issue] cannot reduce the heaviness of the responsibility of those people who are committed to [providing] security for the guests of the Beneficent God. Acting upon this commitment and fulfilling this responsibility is our ultimate demand.

May God bless those doing good deeds

Seyyed Ali Khamenei

4 Djul-Hijjah 1436

18 September 2015

Supreme Leader’s Speech to Hajj Officials

22/08/2015

The following is the full text of a speech delivered on August 22, 2015 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a meeting with hajj officials.

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Dear brothers and sisters, welcome. You hajj officials are in charge of one of the most beautiful and glorious responsibilities, namely making preparations for our faithful people to attend hajj, which is a unique Islamic obligation. I would also like to express my gratitude to the brothers and sisters in charge of hajj affairs, who – as Mr. Qazi Askar and the esteemed head of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization pointed out – have made certain arrangements for the betterment of hajj pilgrimage for Iranian believers. And this is exactly what needs to be done. It is necessary to improve on a daily basis and facilitate the achievement of the noble goals of hajj. It is necessary to work hard. Each one of you dear brothers and sisters has a responsibility to fulfill. Each one of you has a role to play. You should try to play your role in the best possible way, with motivation, patience and enthusiasm. The efforts that you make will produce a great outcome: that is to say, the people will be able to perform hajj appropriately.

My advice is that hajj does not exclusively belong to Iranians. Hajj belongs to Islam and to the Islamic Ummah and it guarantees the prevailing of Islam. God’s respect for the months in which hajj pilgrimages take place shows how great and significant hajj ceremonies are. It shows that this Islamic obligation enjoys a quality that other Islamic obligations do not enjoy. It is necessary to pay attention to this point.

The interesting point is that hajj has two complementary aspects: an individual aspect and a social aspect. It is necessary to pay attention to both aspects. The individual aspect of hajj belongs to individual hajj pilgrims. Each hajj pilgrim should establish a relationship with Allah the Exalted during his pilgrimage and he should repent and take spiritual provisions for himself. In a holy ayah relating to hajj, piety has been advised. “Surely the provision is the guarding of oneself, and be careful (of your duty) to Me, O men of understanding” [The Holy Quran, 2: 197]. Each and every one of the honorable pilgrims who are blessed with this great opportunity should think of how to make the best of this provision. “And you that ask forgiveness of your Lord, then turn to Him” [The Holy Quran, 11: 3]. Hajj pilgrims should repent. They should pray. They should ask Allah the Exalted for whatever they need. They should make a covenant with Allah the Exalted to remain committed to their future, their lives and their activities. This is the individual aspect of hajj.

As far as this individual aspect of hajj is concerned, every hajj pilgrim should try to move closer to Allah the Exalted on his pilgrimage. He should cleanse his heart. He should take provisions for the rest of his life. Spiritual blessings for individual pilgrims originate from this pilgrimage, from these rituals, from these days. Hajj pilgrims should appreciate the value of this opportunity. There are certain things that an individual can achieve only during hajj pilgrimage. Seeing Ka’bah is worship. Tawaf around Ka’bah is worship. Praying in Masjid ul-Haraam is worship. Visiting the shrine of the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) is worship. Arafat is an arena for speaking to God. Mash’ar is an arena for attention to God. The same is true of Mina. Pilgrims should make use of each and every one of these elements to cleanse their hearts, to improve their spiritual status and to take provisions for the rest of their lives. This is the individual aspect of hajj.

The other aspect of hajj is the social aspect. Hajj is the manifestation of Islamic unity. People with different skin colors, people from different nationalities, people with different identities, people from different Islamic denominations, people with different tendencies – all of them gather in one place as equals. They all perform Tawaf together. They all work together. They all stay in Arafat and Mash’ar. This unity is very important. Islamic solidarity is the true manifestation of harmony and unanimity during hajj, not just for the people of Iran, but also for all Muslims throughout the world, for the Islamic Ummah.

God’s curse be upon those who sideline the truth of the Islamic Ummah, those who divert attention away from the importance of the Islamic Ummah, those who divide Muslims into different groups with different goals, those who magnify nationalities against the glory of the Islamic Ummah and those who create division within the Iranian nation. The Islamic Ummah is important. Glory belongs to the Islamic Ummah. Allah the Exalted will bestow His mercy and blessings on the Islamic Ummah. Hajj is a manifestation of the Islamic Ummah: it is the Islamic Ummah in microcosm. “Coming from every remote path” [The Holy Quran, 22: 27]. Muslims come together from different parts of the world and from remote places. And what a great opportunity for communicating with each other, for unity with one another, for listening to each other’s sufferings, for expressing sympathy. Apart from hajj, when do Muslims get such an opportunity? The issue of unity is one of the social dimensions of hajj.

Showing the greatness of the Islamic Ummah is another social dimension of hajj. The fact that several million Muslims gather in one place to attend a particular ceremony shows the greatness of the Islamic Ummah. From a country whose population is seventy, eighty million, around fifty, sixty, seventy thousand people come together and form a glorious gathering. This shows the greatness of the Islamic Ummah.

Another dimension is the sharing of experiences among hajj pilgrims. Many Islamic countries have certain experiences. For example, the Iranian nation has certain experiences in confronting the enemy, in identifying the enemy, in refusing to trust the enemy, in distinguishing friends from enemies. We have experience in these areas. We did not make a mistake in distinguishing friends from enemies. From the beginning of the Revolution to this day, we have been aware that the real enemy, the aggressive, stubborn and persistent enemy is the world of global arrogance and Zionism. We have been aware of this. Sometimes this archenemy has spoken through other people. We must not make a mistake and think that those who are speaking for the enemy are the real enemy. No, as I stressed earlier, the real enemy is the arrogant powers.

Take a look at the slogans that the people of Iran chant on the 22nd of Bahman, on Quds Day and in different other rallies. Their slogans are against the arrogant powers, against America, against the Zionists, against the usurping Zionist regime. They chant slogans against these elements. This is while these enemies sometimes use certain Islamic countries to say and do what they want. But we never chanted slogans against those Islamic countries. Our people have not chanted slogans against those Islamic countries. Why? The reason is that they know who the real enemy is. They know that those Islamic countries have been deceived and used as a tool. This shows insight in identifying the real enemy. This is our experience. Certain Islamic groups that were provided with great opportunities in certain Islamic countries, did not have this experience and they made a mistake as a result. They made peace with the real enemy and worked against their friends. And they paid the price for this. Allah the Exalted had provided them with a blessing and they failed to appreciate its value.

Creating unity is another experience of the Iranian nation. There are many differences of opinion in our country. There are many differences and disagreements in political, intellectual and ideological areas, but our people have managed to preserve their unity despite these disagreements. Certain parts of our country are populated by particular ethnic groups, but those ethnic groups take part in the rallies on the 22nd of Bahman and Quds Day as well as in different other demonstrations that are rooted in the Islamic Revolution, just like other people throughout the country. We have Kurdish, Baluchi, Arab and Azeri regions in the country. In certain cases, their actions in support of the Revolution and the Islamic Republic are more outstanding than other regions in the country. We have seen examples of such actions. This is Islamic unity and the Iranian nation has experienced it.

For thirty-five, thirty-six years, we have experienced the importance of unity among the people and we have made great achievements thanks to this unity. Certain other countries never realized the importance of this unity and they are still unaware of it. Because of a small disagreement – which is rooted in religious, ethnic or political differences – they turn against each other and attack each other as if they were enemies. As a result, Allah the Exalted takes His blessing away from them. “Have you not seen those who have changed Allah's favor for ungratefulness and made their people to alight into the abode of perdition (even into) hell? They shall enter into it and an evil place it is to settle in” [The Holy Quran, 14: 28-29]. When we fail to appreciate the value of a divine blessing, when we show ingratitude, Allah the Exalted changes the way He treats us. “This is because Allah has never changed a favor which He has conferred upon a people until they change their own condition” [The Holy Quran, 8: 53].

As long as we move ahead on the right path, as long as we submit to the will of God to the extent that our limited capacities allow us, Allah the Exalted will continue His blessings, but when we work against ourselves, when we sow discord, when we hatch plots against each other, when we start fighting each other, Allah the Exalted will take away His blessings. God does not discriminate in favor of anybody. “This is because Allah has never changed a favor which He has conferred upon a people until they change their own condition”. Allah the Exalted does not take away a blessing that He has bestowed on you unless you prepare the ground for that. Once you have prepared the ground for yourself to be deprived of a blessing, Allah the Exalted will take away that blessing. The Iranian people have the experience of preserving divine blessings for themselves. These experiences should be shared.

Today Islamic countries are faced with conspiracy. Do we understand this or not? Today there is conspiracy against Islam, not against Shia or Sunni Islam or against any other Islamic denomination. The Holy Quran belongs to Islam. Shia Islam is not the center that clearly promotes “Allah will by no means give the unbelievers a way against the believers” [The Holy Quran, 4: 141]. It is the Holy Quran! It is Islam! For this reason, the enemies are opposed to Islam. They are opposed to any center and any voice that awakens peoples. They are opposed to any hand that fights the arrogant powers and that hand is the hand of Islam. That voice is the voice of Islam. Therefore, they are opposed to Islam.

There are different methods to confront and oppose Islam. There are different types of methods. They sit down together and think. They try to find ways to infiltrate and to harm. During the early years after the victory of the Islamic Revolution, we were informed that the Zionist regime had funded a group of people to come together and think about Islam and the Shia denomination, to study and to investigate. What was the purpose? Their studies and investigations were aimed at finding ways of countering this great element, this awakening and this Islamic vigilance. The purpose of those investigations was to find a way to harm Muslim peoples who had awakened and realized that they had the power to take action. They spent a lot of money on the plan. This was only one of the things that they did. Tens of centers – we know about some them and we can infer the existence of several others – were established in Europe, America, occupied Palestinian lands and certain dependent countries that are controlled by the arrogant powers and the purpose was to find ways of countering Islam. For this reason, they believe it is necessary to foment discord, to give rise to violence, to tarnish the name of Islam, to dismember Islamic countries, to turn Muslim nations against each other and to pit members of a nation against each other. One day the means of doing so is Blackwater from America and another day the means is DAESH from Iraq, Syria and other places. They look for the means to create discord.

These are our experiences. These are the things that the people of Iran have experienced and seen up close. When we stress the issue of unity among different Islamic denominations, between Shia and Sunni Islam and between different Muslim nations, we are not just paying lip service to Muslim unity. We have identified the malady. We care about the Islamic Ummah and this is why we pursue Muslim unity.

As far as the people of Iran are concerned, the importance of unity has been established, but many other nations have not realized the importance of this unity. Hajj is an opportunity to convey this understanding to other nations and spread the message. Of course, there are certain people who are opposed to this. Those who want these disagreements to prevail do not want these interactions, these relationships, these friendships and this sharing of experiences to take place among Muslims. It is necessary to find the appropriate ways.

One of the important things that should be done during hajj is to take care of the individual and social aspects of hajj. When we stress the social aspect of hajj, this should not encourage us to ignore the individual aspect, namely solemn praying, humility before God and dua. Hajj is a good opportunity. There is no place like Masjid ul-Haraam. There is no place like Masjid un-Nabi. This opportunity has been provided for you and for hajj pilgrims. It would be a pity to deprive oneself of this blessing and roam around in the bazaar and visit this and that store. It was announced that there have been efforts to prevent hajj pilgrims from roaming the bazaars. However, I have received reports that unfortunately some of our hajj pilgrims are suffering from this problem. They visit different shops and meet different local businessmen and they buy junk at twice the normal price and fly back to Tehran or other cities. This is wrong, absolutely wrong. Our people should pay attention to the fact that this is wrong. Shopping is something that can be done anywhere. One can roam the marketplace anywhere in the world. One can buy stuff anywhere. One can waste money like that anywhere. After all, what is done is basically throwing away money and one can throw away money anywhere. During hajj, it is necessary to go after the kind of things that cannot be done somewhere else.

Those things include looking at Ka’bah, praying in Masjid ul-Haraam and kissing the footprint of the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.). The Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) used to walk around in that city. He used to speak in that city. The atmosphere of that city reverberates with the voice of the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.). It would be a pity if one failed to immerse oneself in this atmosphere. This is not something that can be found somewhere else in the world. Our hajj pilgrims should appreciate these things, otherwise it is possible to roam the bazaars, go sightseeing and do other such things in any other part of the world as well. One can do the same things in Tehran, in Isfahan, in Tabriz or in Mashhad. It is possible to do these things anywhere in the world. Go after the kind of things that cannot be done in other places, the kind of things that can only be done during hajj. These are my recommendations. I hope Allah the Exalted provides all of you with the opportunity to perform a pilgrimage that is acceptable to Him. And we ask you pray for us.

Greetings be upon you and Allah’s mercy and blessings

Supreme Leader's Speech in Meeting with Government Officials and Ambassadors of Islamic Countries

18/07/2015

Supreme Leader's Speech in Meeting with Government Officials and Ambassadors of Islamic CountriesThe following is the full text of the speech delivered on July 18, 2015 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a meeting with government officials and the ambassadors of Islamic countries in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The meeting was held on the occasion of Eid ul-Fitr.

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, and peace and greetings upon our Master and Prophet, Ab-al-Qassem Al-Mustafa Muhammad, upon his pure, immaculate and infallible household - especially the one remaining with Allah on earth - and upon his chosen companions.

I would like to congratulate you dear brothers and sisters who are present here, particularly the honorable officials and guests - the honorable ambassadors of Islamic countries - on the auspicious Eid ul-Fitr. Also, I congratulate all the people of Iran and all Muslims throughout the world on this Eid.

As we read in this dua - "He Who made this day into an Eid for Muslims" [from the qunut of Eid ul-Fitr prayers] - I hope that Allah the Exalted will turn this day into an Eid for all Muslims, but unfortunately, this is not the case today.

Today, the world of Islam is facing many problems. Islam has placed great emphasis on the unity, unanimity and brotherhood of Muslims. We can hold fast by the rope that Allah stretches out individually, but Islam does not advise this: "And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah stretches out for you" [The Holy Quran, 3: 103]. All of us should hold fast by this rope together. We should be together. Despite all this emphasis, today we Muslims do not unfortunately obey this command of Islam. And as you can witness, this is the result. I want to ask all Muslims - particularly ulama, intellectuals, officials, politicians and outstanding personalities in all Islamic countries - to see the treacherous hands of the enemies of the Islamic Ummah in this discord. This discord is not a natural one, rather it is imposed on and suggested to us. Muslims can naturally live together. Experience has shown that when the enemy's temptations, deception and malevolence do not enter the arena, they can live together. We have seen this in our own country. We have seen this in Iraq and other Islamic countries.

They inject this discord into the world of Islam. Why do they do so? It is because the interests of superpowers lie in it. They do not want the Islamic Ummah to be united. They do not want this great power to arise in the horizons of global powers. They do not want this. If the Islamic Ummah were united and if it relied on its common points, it would undoubtedly become a unique power in the firmament of global politics. Considering its large population, underground resources and provisions, and natural and human sources of wealth and considering the countries that are located in this sensitive area of the world, if we became united, such a phenomenon would dominate the world. They do not want this to happen. They have planted the Zionist regime in the region so that they can create discord and busy regional countries with themselves.

Nations resisted the Zionist regime and they did not surrender to them. You should pay attention to this point. During the 10 years when the Zionist regime increased its materialistic power on a daily basis with the assistance and support of England and later on America, some weak governments and vicious individuals in Muslim governments were drawn to the Zionists. Many Muslim governments and some politicians in the world of Islam - including the former sinister regime in our country and some others - established close relations with the Zionists. This was while the Zionists were usurpers, transgressors and murderers.

They had imperialist desires and they used to chant the slogan of "From the Nile to the Euphrates." These governments and individuals completely ignored our enmities towards the Zionists. However, nations did not do so. The feeling of hatred of usurping Zionism and the Zionist government continued to be present in their hearts. So, they did not follow their governments in this regard. Well, this was a heavy blow for the governments which were dependent on America and which were the close friends of the Zionist regime.

Therefore, they thought about destroying this feeling in peoples and dissuading them from fighting against the Zionists. What did they do to further their goal? They waged these domestic wars: the wars between Shia and Sunni. These criminal organizations - including al-Qaida, DAESH and the like - were created with the purpose of pitting us against one another and making nations confront each other. This is the transgressing and treacherous hand of the enemy.

Some Americans have confessed in their own memoirs [including Hillary Clinton's memoirs] that they have played a role in creating, developing and establishing DAESH and today too, they are supporting them. Now, a coalition against DAESH has been formed. Of course, I do not believe that there is a real coalition against DAESH. Now, let us assume that there is some organization against this group, but is DAESH the only terrorist group? Different groups with different names and with windfall wealth at their disposal are working around Islamic countries. They are promoting terrorism, causing explosions and killing innocent people on the street and in markets, squares, mosques and other such places. They have busied peoples with themselves. They have busied Shia against Sunni and Sunni against Shia.

On the one hand, they train some people from the first side to be extremist, vulgar and violent and they give them money to do such things and on the other hand, they train some individuals from the second side to do the same so that they can pit them against each other. Each of these extremist groups is followed by a significant number of people. What is better than this for the Zionists? What is better than this for the Zionist regime? We should awaken and understand what is happening in the region.

The policies of arrogant powers in the region are treacherous policies: clearly treacherous. In Iraq, the policy of arrogant powers is to overthrow the government that is based on election, majority and democracy. They are after this. They want to weaken and create obstacles for it so that it cannot work. They want to pit Shia and Sunni in Iraq against each other. We have seen Iraq before these events. Shia and Sunni used to live together and marry each other, but today, they have to stand up and pull guns against each other. And their ultimate goal is to disintegrate Iraq, but our policy is the exact opposite of theirs. We believe that the election-based government of Iraq should be strengthened. We believe that those who are creating domestic discord should be confronted and resisted and that the territorial integrity of Iraq should be preserved. This policy is the exact opposite of the policy of arrogance in Iraq.

In Syria, the policy of arrogance is to overthrow - at any price - the government that is known for its resistance against Zionism, but our policy is against theirs. Of course, we believe that those who should make the decisions in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Bahrain, Lebanon and all other countries are the people of these countries. We and other people do not have the right to make decisions, from outside, about the fate of countries. It is they themselves who should be making the decisions. This is what we believe. The policy of arrogance towards Syria is to decide - from outside - the fate of this government and these people who are known for their firm and determined resistance against the Zionists. Both the current and former presidents of Syria stood up against the fake Zionist regime in an outspoken way.

We say that a government whose slogan, goal and intention is to resist the Zionists is valuable for the world of Islam. We have no personal interest in Syria or Iraq, rather we are thinking about the world of Islam and the Islamic Ummah. Our positions and the positions of arrogance are at such opposite poles.

In Lebanon, the Zionist regime had occupied an important part of that country for many years. Arrogance - headed by America - took the path of silence on this matter: one that was accompanied by approval and satisfaction. Later on, a religious and self-sacrificing group emerged in that country to resist them. The most noble national defense forces are the Lebanese Resistance and Hezbollah of Lebanon. They are the noblest groups in the world that have engaged in national resistance and national defense. We know few resistance groups in the world that are so moral, religious, self-sacrificing and successful. This is while they are the target of many assassination attempts and they have been accused of terrorism.

Is Hezbollah a terrorist group? Is the great force in charge of the national defense of Lebanon a terrorist group? Is this terrorism? So, were the resistance groups that you Europeans and others are proud of and that stood firm in the name of defending their country - for example, the groups that emerged in France and other countries - terrorist groups? Is a force that is standing firm against aggressors and arrogant agents and that is sacrificing itself a terrorist force? This is while they firmly shake hands with the child-killing, oppressive and criminal Zionist regime as their eternal brother and friend. This is their policy.

The reason why we defend the Lebanese Resistance is that it is a resistance group - in the real sense of the word - against the enemies. It is a resistance group, one that is courageous, self-sacrificing and resistant. If it had not been for this group, Israel - that had advanced towards Saida and even farther towards Beirut - would have occupied Beirut today and no Lebanon would have remained. It is this resistance group that has prevented them from doing so. This is while the Americans - these honest and truthful American politicians - refer to them as terrorists and they call Iran "a supporter of terrorism" because of its support for these groups.

But it is you who are the defenders of terrorism! It is you who have created DAESH. It is you who train terrorists. It is you who take the vicious and terrorist Zionists under your wings. It is you who defend terrorism. You should be put on trial because of supporting and assisting terrorism. The same thing holds true for Yemen, Bahrain and other countries.

Does the former president of Yemen - who resigned at the most sensitive time with the purpose of creating a political vacuum and who fled the country wearing women's clothes - have legitimacy? Does such a president have the right to ask another country to attack his country and kill the people? It is about four months - three-plus months - now that they are striking Yemen. Which places are they striking? They are striking mosques, hospitals, cities and houses and they are killing innocent people and children, but what is their crime?

America is supporting such groups. Today, I said in the Eid ul-Fitr sermons that they are making a mistake in the present time. They are speaking about their past mistakes such as the one made on the 28th of Mordad. They say that they have made certain mistakes. Yes, you have made very grave mistakes, but in the present time too, you are making a mistake. You are shaking hands with the most dictatorial regimes and all of you are eating from the same bowl [Persian expression meaning that two individuals are collaborating ].

You American politicians speak and make judgments in a completely unfair manner. You do so even when it comes to clear truths. One really wonders how shameless they are! They have friendly and brotherly relations with the governments that do not even allow their people to hear the name of elections. They sign a brotherhood pact with such governments. In some of these countries, if someone speaks about elections on the street, they will be put in prison and their fate will be uncertain. This is while they say that the Islamic Republic - that has had 30-plus elections during the past 36 years - is dictatorial. Are such people trustworthy? This is why we say that these people cannot be trusted.

They cannot be trusted. These are not people from whose mouths honest words come out. There is no honesty in them. Even on the issue of the difficult test that Mr. President referred to - both he and other officials really made great efforts on this path - they constantly and repeatedly behaved in a dishonest manner throughout all this period. Of course, our officials fortunately confronted them. In some cases, they behaved towards them in a really revolutionary way and they have achieved some results. We will see what will happen in the future.

The world of Islam has one single prescription today and that is unity. This prescription exists in all Islamic countries. Nations should be united. The Iranian nation should be united. No division and discord should emerge out of nuclear, non-nuclear and other such events. It should not be the case that each group says different things. A task is being carried out for which there are certain officials. They are pursuing the matter and by Allah's favor, they will be able to identify and pursue what constitutes national interests. There should not be any division among the people because this is what the enemy wants. If someone is following the foreigners' propaganda, radios, television networks and the websites that are developing and publishing various writings on a daily basis with the purpose of creating division among the people, you should not allow them to create division. Instead, you should preserve unity and stay together.

Power should grow from the inside. Collective and social piety is like individual piety. In the case of the latter - the purpose of fasting is to achieve piety and the month of fasting is the month of achieving piety - when you achieve piety, you become immune just like the person who has received vaccine and who has thus immunized themselves. Even if they go to a microbe-contaminated environment, it will not affect them. Piety is like this. It does not allow the surrounding environment to influence you. At least, it does not allow you to be influenced easily. Individual piety is like this.

The same is true of national piety. If a people strengthen themselves from the inside, if they strengthen their science, their industry, their faith and their culture, then outside forces will not be able to influence them. This is a prescription that all of us should act on today. The world of Islam should act on it as well.

Dear God, You Yourself help us identify and take the path of guidance.

Greetings be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings

Supreme Leader's Sermons at Eid ul-Fitr Prayers

18/07/2015

Supreme Leader's Sermons at Eid ul-Fitr PrayersThe following is the full text of the sermons delivered on July 18, 2015 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, at the Eid ul-Fitr prayers in Tehran.

First Sermon

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Greetings be upon you and Allah's mercy. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. "All Praise is due to Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth, and made the darkness and the light. Yet those who reject faith hold others as equal, with their Guardian-Lord" [The Holy Quran, 6: 1].

All praise is due to Allah Whom we praise, Whom we remember, to Whom we repent, and peace and greetings be upon His beloved and noble one, the best among His servants, our Master and Prophet, Ab-al-Qassem al-Mustafa Muhammad, upon his immaculate, pure and chosen household, and upon those who guide the guided, especially the one remaining with Allah on earth.

I would like to congratulate all you dear brothers and sisters, the dear people of Iran and all Muslims throughout the world on this auspicious Eid. I advise you who say prayers and myself, to observe divine piety, piousness, safeguarding the inner self and avoidance of sins.

This year, the month of Ramadan was an auspicious month in the real sense of the word. In this month, divine blessings were showered on the people. The signs of these blessings were witnessed in the people's fasting during the long and hot days of Ramadan, in large Quranic meetings all over the country, in great dua and supplication meetings - where thousands of youth, elderly people, men and women engaged in dua and supplication and where they spoke to their God in a pure and humble way - in donating charity, in the large iftar meals that have fortunately become common for several years now, in mosques, on the streets and finally in the magnificent Quds Day rallies. These are signs of divine mercy. The people participated in these great rallies in a hot summer day while they were fasting and while they had kept a vigil the night before - on the 23rd of the month of Ramadan - on the occasion of the Nights of Qadr.

This is the right way to know the people of Iran. These are the people of Iran. It is the people of Iran who paint such a picture of themselves on the scene of worshipping God during the month of Ramadan and on the scene of fighting against arrogance, each in different ways. Our people should not be known through the hostile words of others. Rather, they should be known through themselves, through their slogans, through their movements and through such magnificent reflections. These are the people of Iran. The picture that the enemy tries to portray about the people of Iran- unfortunately some obtuse individuals repeat this- by using propaganda, is deviant and wrong. The people of Iran are the same people who showed their different aspects and dimensions in this month of Ramadan.

By Allah's favor, all of you will pass your test today. As well as passing this test, some of you will - by Allah's favor - receive rewards, gain promotion and achieve spiritual transcendence today. The slogans of the people of Iran showed what our orientations are. On Quds Day, the slogan of "Death to Israel" and "Death to America" shook the scene of the country. And these slogans were not particular to Tehran and large cities. The entire country stood under the umbrella of this movement.

Dear God, accept what the people of Iran have done with Your mercy and kindness. Dear God, shower Your grace, mercy and infinite blessings on our people. Dear God, bestow Your mercy and forgiveness on our dear martyrs, our magnanimous Imam (r.a.) and all those people who helped and supported the people on this path.

"In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful,

I swear by the time,

Most surely man is in loss,

Except those who believe and do good, and enjoin on each other truth, and enjoin on each other patience" [The Holy Quran, 103].

Second Sermon

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, and peace and greetings be upon our Master and Prophet, Ab-al-Qassem al-Mustafa Muhammad, and upon his immaculate and infallible household. And greetings be upon the Imams of Muslims and supporters of the oppressed, especially upon the Commander of the Faithful, the Mistress of all women, Hassan and Hussein - the children of mercy and the Imams of the guided - Ali ibn al-Hussein Zayn al-Abidin, Muhammad ibn Ali, Ja'far ibn Muhammad, Musa ibn Ja'far, Ali ibn Musa, Muhammad ibn Ali, Ali ibn Muhammad, Hassan ibn Ali and Hujjat al-Qaem al-Mahdi, Your representative among Your servants and trustworthy ones in Your land.

The first thing that I would like to say in the second sermon is to greet and congratulate all the brothers and sisters who say prayers and to advise them to observe piety.

The events that occurred in our region during the month of Ramadan and before that, were and still are bitter events. Unfortunately, some vicious hands made the blessed month of Ramadan bitter for the regional peoples. Many Muslim peoples in Yemen, Palestine and Syria experienced difficult days and fasts because of the evil plots of the enemies. All these events are important to our people.

Another issue is a domestic one: the issue of the nuclear negotiations. I deem it necessary to raise a few points in this regard. The first point is a word of thanks to officials in charge of these long and arduous negotiations - the honorable President and particularly the negotiation team who really made great efforts and worked hard. They will certainly be divinely rewarded whether the document that has been prepared will- through its determined legal procedures- be ratified or not. We have said this to those brothers in person as well.

Of course in order to ratify this document, there is a clear legal procedure that, by Allah's favor, has to be taken. We expect that these officials take the interests- interests of the country, interests of the people- into consideration by paying careful attention, so that when they deliver the matter to the people, they can do so with their heads held high in front of Allah the Exalted as well.

The next point is that by Allah's favor and grace, no one will be allowed to take advantage of this document in any way and to undermine the fundamental principles of the Islamic Republic whether this document is ratified or not. The defense capabilities and the security area of the country will- by God's grace- be protected although we know that the enemies have placed great emphasis on these areas. The Islamic Republic will never give in to the enemy's greed in the area of protecting its defense capabilities and security- particularly in this environment filled with the enemies' threats.

The next point is that whether this document is ratified or not, we will not abandon our regional friends: the oppressed people of Palestine, the oppressed people of Yemen, the people and government of Syria, the people and government of Iraq, the oppressed people of Bahrain and the sincere mujahids of the Resistance in Lebanon and Palestine. These people will always enjoy our support.

The next point is that our policy towards the arrogant government of America will not change in any way despite these negotiations and the document that has been prepared. As we have said many times, we have no negotiations with America on different global and regional issues. We have no bilateral negotiations with America. Sometimes, we have negotiated with them in exceptional cases such as the nuclear issue and we have done so because of our interests. The nuclear issue was not the only case. There were other cases as well which I have referred to in my previous public speeches. The American policies in the region are 180 degrees the opposite of the policies of the Islamic Republic. The Americans accuse Hezbollah and the Lebanese Resistance - who are the most self-sacrificing forces in their country in the area of national defense - of terrorism. There is no injustice worse than this. This is while they support the terrorist child-killing government of Zionism. How can one do business, negotiate and reach an agreement with such a policy? There are other cases as well and I will expand on them in other speeches.

Another point is about the Americans' blustering in recent days. In the recent days that the negotiations have been concluded, the American excellencies - their male and female officials - are busy blustering. Each of them is blustering in a different way. Of course, this is alright with us. Their domestic problems force them into blustering. They claim that they have dragged Iran towards the negotiating table, that they have made Iran surrender, that they have obtained such and such concessions from our country and other such claims. However, the truth is something else. They say that they have prevented Iran from building nuclear weapons, but this has nothing to do with our negotiations with America and other countries. They themselves know this and sometimes they have spoken about the importance of the fatwa that bans nuclear weapons.

According to the commands of the Holy Quran and Islamic sharia, we consider building, keeping and using nuclear weapons as haraam and therefore, we will not do so. This has nothing to do with them and with these negotiations. They themselves know that this is the truth. They know that what prevents the Islamic Republic from building nuclear weapons is not their threats and intimidating behavior. There is a religious barrier behind this and they know the significance of this fatwa, but they still claim that it was they who prevented Iran. They are not honest with their own people and they do not tell them the truth. On various other matters, they say that they have adopted such and such a measure about Iran's nuclear industry and that they have forced Iran to surrender, but they can only see Iran's surrender in their dreams.

From the beginning of the Revolution until today, five other U.S. presidents died or were lost in history dreaming that they would force the Islamic Republic to surrender. You too will enjoy the same fate. You too will never achieve the dream of forcing the Islamic Republic to surrender.

There was one point in the statements that the American president made in recent days: he admitted to America's past mistakes. Of course, he said a hodgepodge of things. He admitted that the Americans made a mistake in Iran on the 28th of Mordad. He admitted that the Americans made a mistake in helping Saddam Hussein. He admitted to two, three mistakes, but he did not mention tens of others. He did not speak about the 25-year oppressive and treacherous rule of the second Pahlavi monarch. He did not speak about the many instances of torture, looting, massacre, disaster and calamity that were caused by America. He did not speak about the destruction of the Iranian peoples' dignity and America's efforts to trample upon their domestic and foreign interests. He did not speak about the Zionists' domination, the killing of Iranian passengers on a passenger plane and many other things. Nonetheless, he mentioned a number of mistakes.

I would like to offer a friendly word of advice to these excellencies: today - after the passage of many years from the 28th of Mordad, the eight-year war and the defense that the Islamic Republic put up there - you acknowledge that you have made certain mistakes. I would like to say to you that you are making a mistake in the present time as well. In the present time too, you are busy making mistakes in different places in the region and particularly towards the Islamic Republic and the people of Iran. In a few years, someone else will turn up and show you your mistakes, just as today you are admitting to the mistakes that your predecessors made. You are making mistakes as well. Therefore, you should awaken, correct your mistakes and understand the truth. You are making grave mistakes in the region.

What I want to say to the people of Iran is that by Allah's favor and grace, the Islamic Republic has become powerful and strong. It has become stronger on a daily basis. It is 10, 12 years now that six great global powers - which are among powerful countries in the world in terms of economic wealth - have been sitting in front of Iran, trying to prevent it from pursuing its nuclear industry. They have said this openly. Their real goal is to open the nuts and bolts of the nuclear industry. They have said this to our officials many years ago. In the present time too, they pursue the same dream. The result of a 10, 12-year struggle with the Islamic Republic is that they have been forced to tolerate the operation of several thousand centrifuges in the country. They have been forced to tolerate the continuation of this industry in our country. They have been forced to tolerate the development of this industry and the continuation of research on it. Research and developing the nuclear industry will continue. The cycle of the nuclear industry will continue.

This is what they have been trying to prevent for many years, but today they have signed on paper that they have no problem with our nuclear industry. Apart from the power of the Iranian people, what other meaning does this have? This has been achieved because of the people's resistance and steadfastness and our dear scientists' courage and innovation. God's mercy be upon the likes of Shahriari, Rezainejad, Ahmadi Roshan and Ali Muhammadi. God's mercy be upon our nuclear martyrs. God's mercy be upon their families. God's mercy be upon a people who stand by their truthful claims and rights.

I would like to raise another point which is the last one. An individual has said that he can destroy Iran's army. Our predecessors used to call such statements, "boasting among strangers" [audience laughs]. I do not want to say anything more in this regard. If those who will hear this statement want to know the truth and if they are willing to use their experiences correctly, they should know that should any war break out - of course we do not welcome and begin any war - he who will emerge humiliated [literally: "head-cracked"] out of it, will be transgressing and criminal America.

"In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

When there comes the help of Allah and the victory,

And you see men entering the religion of Allah in companies,

Then celebrate the praise of your Lord, and ask His forgiveness. Surely He is oft-returning to mercy" [The Holy Quran, 110].

Greetings be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings

Supreme Leader's Norouz Message 1394

20/03/2015

The following is the full text of the message issued on March 20, 2015 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, on the occasion of Norouz.

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

O Conqueror of hearts and sight,

O Planner of night and day,

O Transformer of power and circumstances,

Change our condition to the best of conditions.

Greetings be upon Fatima, her father, her husband and her children.

The beginning of this year is concurrent with the days of the martyrdom anniversary of Hazrat Zahra (God's greetings be upon her). Our people's love and respect for the Holy Prophet's (s.w.a.) household and honorable daughter requires that certain considerations be taken into account by everyone. Of course, everyone will undoubtedly do so. We hope that these days and the new year will be imbued with Fatemi blessings. I hope that the auspicious name and memory of this great personality will exert its deep and permanent influence on the lives of our people in the year 1394. And I hope that the arrival of the spring - which is coincident with the beginning of the solar Hijri year - will be blessed for the people of Iran and for all those peoples who commemorate Norouz.

I would like to send my sincere greetings to the Imam of the Age (may our souls be sacrificed for his sake) and I use this opportunity to commemorate the memory of our magnanimous Imam (r.a.) and our martyrs. I hope that in the new year we will benefit from the blessings and prayers of those pure and dear personalities.

Let us take a brief look at the year 1393 and the new year which begins at this hour. The year 1393 was an eventful year for our country both in domestic, and in foreign and international arenas. We had certain challenges and achievements. It was because of these challenges that we named the year 1393 "The Year of National Determination and Jihadi Management". By taking a look at the year 1393, we can see that national determination thankfully showed itself. Our people showed their firm determination in enduring some the difficulties that they experienced as well as in the 22nd of Bahman, Quds Day and the magnificent Arbaeen rallies they showed their determination and displayed their effort . Thankfully, jihadi management was clear and visible in some areas. Whenever jihadi management showed itself in any area, it was followed by achievements. Of course, national determination and jihadi management were not particular to the year 1393. They are necessary for both this year and the coming years.

In the year 1394, we have great wishes for our dear people, all of which are attainable. Our great wishes for the people in this year are economic progress, regional and international power and dignity, scientific leaps in the real sense of the word, judiciary and economic justice, and faith and spirituality which is more important than other wishes and which prepares the ground for all of them to be attained. In my opinion, all these dreams and wishes are attainable. None of these wishes are things which are beyond the capacity of the people of Iran and the policies of the Islamic Republic. Our capacities are enormous. There are many things to be said in this regard. Insh'Allah, I will refer to the most important issues in this regard in the afternoon speech.

Now, what I like to say to our dear people is that this great and important potential can be realized, but there are certain conditions. One of the most important conditions is close cooperation between the people and the administration. If this close cooperation is shown bilaterally, all of our wishes will undoubtedly be attained and our people will witness its result. The administration is the people's employee and the people are its employer. The more cooperation and unity exists between the people and the administration, the better tasks will be carried out. They should trust each other. The administration should believe in the people in the true sense of the word. It should firmly believe in the value, significance and capabilities of the people. As for the people, they should trust the administration - which is their employee - in the real sense of the word.

I have certain pieces of advice in this regard which I will offer in the Saturday speech. This is why I believe that this year should be named the year of full cooperation between the administration and the people. I have chosen this name for the new year: "The Year of the Administration and the People, Harmony and Unanimity". I hope that this slogan will be implemented and that our dear, great, determined, courageous, insightful and wise people and our diligent administration implement both parts of this slogan so that they can witness its results in the future.

I ask Allah the Exalted to help our country make progress in all its great tasks. I ask Him to make us successful in rendering services to the people.

Greetings be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings

Supreme Leader's Speech in Meeting with Officials on National Day of Engineering

(2015/02/26)

The following is the full text of the speech delivered on January 26, 2015 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a meeting with officials of National Day of Engineering - coincident with the birthday anniversary of Khawaja Nasir al-Din al-Tusi.

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Welcome you officials in the engineering organizations of the country. Mohandes Bahonar raised interesting points. The scope of engineering work in the country is really vast. Of course, Mr. Bahonar extended it to humanities. He explained that the reason is the cultural engineering of the country. He used the word "engineering" in its definitional sense, not what the word connotes commonly. But what he explained is correct. The scope of engineering work in the country is really vast and the description that he presented is good. The suggestions that he put forward in his letter - I had read the letter before - are good suggestions and we agree with them.

However, he forgot one point about issues related to the engineers of the country. This point is the role of the young engineers of the country in revolutionary events. During the revolutionary era, our technical faculties throughout the country were among the leaders of revolutionary activities. After the victory of the Revolution too - particularly during the Sacred Defense Era - engineers were self-sacrificing soldiers who utilized all their capabilities, energy, talents and skills. We witnessed this in the war. It can be said that these talented youth displayed a new skill every day. They acted in the same way after the Sacred Defense Era. Nanotechnology, stem cells, biotechnology and other such fields of study that were referred to in this meeting are achievements which were made after the Sacred Defense Era. After the war too, our young engineers continued to work on these areas. Well, they have had important responsibilities until today. In the present time, when I take a look, I see that many of the heads of the country are thankfully engineers. This has become a source of complaint for some people. They say that engineers are constantly assigned to important tasks.

Primarily, what you should do is to show the people that the slogan of "we can" is true. Fortunately, this is a cherished slogan among all fair-minded individuals in the country. This is what Mr. Bahonar referred to in his letter. You should work on different areas so that unfinished tasks can be completed. In the present time, we witness that the engineering exports are mostly related to construction. You should do something to help the engineering products of the country play their role in exports. We should be able to present the products of our engineers in factories and different other areas - which are vast in scope - in international markets. This is an important task that can be carried out by you. In the present time, you have important positions. You are either in the administration or in the Majlis and therefore, you can make decisions.

Besides, you should try to reduce the pressure of imports on the country. This is really an important matter. Today, the pressure of imports is destroying the country. And there are various excuses for this. One is the issue of smuggling. The figures that are released these days about smuggling are astonishing and confusing. The amount that is smuggled is 20-plus billion. This is mind-boggling. Now, there is an idea which says, "We should open the path so that we can stop smuggling. This way, products enter the country through customs and we will make a profit". In my opinion, this is not reasonable.

You should do something to prevent the products of the country from being overwhelmed by imports. These are products that have been produced - in different areas - by our talented, religious, capable and very intelligent youth and men. This is one point which, in my opinion, is very important.

Another issue is the economy of resistance which you spoke about. Well, since it was presented, officials have approved it perhaps a thousand times. Different officials in the administration, Majlis and other organizations and different economic and even political activists have constantly spoken about the economy of resistance. Well, this is good, but nothing happens if we only repeat this in words. No illness is cured if we only mention the name of drugs. Drugs should be consumed. You in the Majlis and administration should see what has been done - in the real sense of the word - for the economy of resistance and what should be done in the future. In my opinion, you should purse this in a serious way. This was the second issue.

The third issue is that, as I said, we should see what our shortcomings are in the engineering area. For example, we have progressed in the area of building technical pieces and components. Building different machines is good. We can witness certain innovations in different areas. Engineering in the area of designing and building factories are tasks that we should pursue in a serious way. If you manage to firmly establish the tradition of innovation in designing different things, this will be a blessed tradition for which God will bestow rewards on you as long it exists in the country. You should pursue those tasks which the country needs. In any case, I hope that God will help you to carry out these tasks.

As I said in the beginning of my speech, our engineers are thankfully many in different centers. You have many engineers in the Majlis, in the administration and in different other organizations. You should really pay attention to your responsibility by utilizing engineering. You should see what tasks should be carried out and then you should pursue them. I hope that God will bestow success on all of you.

Supreme Leader's Speech in Meeting with People of East Azerbaijan

(2015/02/18 - 18:59)

The following is the full text of the speech delivered on February 18, 2015 by Ayatollah Khamenei, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a meeting with the people of East Azerbaijan. The meeting was held in Imam Khomeini Hussainiyah on the anniversary of the uprising by the people of Tabriz on the 29th of Bahman of 1356.

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

First of all, I would like to welcome all the dear brothers and sisters who have taken this long trip and who have enlightened our Hussainiyah with their presence and purity and with spiritual qualities which are thankfully abundant among the dear people of Azerbaijan and Tabriz. I would like to express my gratitude to them, particularly to the dear families of martyrs and disabled war veterans and to the honorable ulama and officials. The 29th of Bahman of each year is really an auspicious day for us. It is really a source of satisfaction for me to visit - on such a day and in this Hussainiyah - a number of the dear youth and the dear, courageous and religious people who have emerged successful out of different tests in the history of our country. I consider this day to be an auspicious day in the real sense of the word.

Thankfully, this meeting is full of enthusiasm and meaning. As you said in your beautiful song, "(Our) youth are prepared and liberated" [speaking in Azeri]. I agree with what the song says. There was one sentence in your song which said, "Satan cannot possess us" [speaking in Azeri]. This is really and undoubtedly the case. What we remember from the experience of Azerbaijan and Tabriz and from different events and peaks and troughs confirm and strengthen this. I would like to express my deep gratitude to Mr. Shabestari. His existence is a blessing and boon for Tabriz. The existence of a committed and insightful clergyman who appreciates the value of revolutionary forces is an opportunity for every city, particularly for a city like Tabriz and a province like Azerbaijan province. I hope that by Allah's favor, this opportunity will be seized.

I have said many things about the virtues of Azerbaijan and Tabriz and I completely believe in them. I only want to add that the people of Azerbaijan and Tabriz have shown that they play a leading role, that they understand the developments of the times and that they act on time. They are brave and they do not allow problems to intimidate them. Besides, they are religious in the true sense of the word. These are facts. Anyone who is familiar with the history of Azerbaijan confirms these. On the issue of the Constitutional Movement of Iran, before that on the issue of the tobacco boycott and fighting against the English company, after that on the issue of the National Movement which took place after the 1320s - that is to say, in 1330 and 1331 - and in the course of the Islamic movement and in the victory of the Islamic Revolution, Azerbaijan and Tabriz took action on time, they entered the arena sooner than others, they took a leading role, they showed courage and bravery and all their elderly, youth, men and women set Islamic and religious faith as their standard.

The same has been true after the victory of the Islamic Revolution until today. The eight-year Defense Era, the glorious Ashura Army, the existence of great, spiritual and divine commanders such as Shahid Bakeri and other such personalities and different other events confirm this. The people of Tabriz began the 9th of Dey one day sooner than all other areas in the country. Their movement began on the 8th of Dey. Such things are significant and they are signs. I am not saying these things to flatter you. Rather, my purpose is to make it clear that this area of our country has these great capacities. This system and this Revolution have a long way ahead of them and these characteristics can prove useful in taking this long path.

The presence of the people on the 29th of Bahman of 1356 was similar to what Imam Sajjad (peace and greetings be upon him) and Zaynab al-Kubra did. They did not allow the event of Ashura to be forgotten. On the 29th of Bahman, the people of Tabriz too did not allow the movement to be forgotten. Otherwise, they wanted to consign to oblivion the massacre of Qom and the presence of the people, but the people of Tabriz did not allow this to happen. I do not forget that in those days, there were certain rumors that the taghuti regime had sent their outstanding military personalities to Tabriz to prevent the people from holding rallies, but the people created the 29th of Bahman anyway and it has thrived until today. The reason why I insist on meeting you on this day is because of its significance.

The affairs were in the hands of the people. The scene and the initiative was in the hands of the people. This was Imam's (r.a.) skill. This was the feat that our magnanimous Imam (r.a.) achieved. He entrusted the scene to its true owners. The country has legitimate owners. During the time of taghut, they used to say that the country belongs to someone in particular. Who did it belong to? It belonged to the Shah. This was while he was a parasite and a load. He was not wanted in the country. He was not the owner of the country. The true owners of the country are the people. It is true that the country has owners, and who are the true owners? It is the people.

When the task is entrusted to the people - who are the owners of the country and the future - then the purpose will be fulfilled. In every era in the Islamic Republic, this should be the officials' plan and goal. Tasks should be entrusted to the people with thoughtful planning and by considering all details. This is how tasks can be carried out. Since the beginning of the Revolution until today, whenever we entrusted a task to the people, it was properly carried out and whenever we entrusted a task to officials and heads of the country in an exclusive way, that task was left undone. I do not say that this has always been the case, but it was often left undone or it was done in a very slow way. But whenever the people took over, the task was accomplished.

And this is not particular to us. I should say that this is not particular to us Iranians. If people in any area take the task in their hands and if those people have a purpose - I do not mean those people who have no goals, who wander around and who are busy with their everyday life - then things will go well. They can carry out any difficult task such as military and security tasks. When the people take over the scene, things will move forward. Take a look at the present time and see how many times the Lebanese Resistance overcame the vicious army of the Zionists in less than 10 years. First, it was the Lebanese Resistance and later on, it was the Palestinian Resistance. First, the Lebanese Resistance threw the Zionists out of southern Lebanon. Later on, it crushed them in the 33-day war. America helped the Zionists. So did traitors in the region, but the resistance force - which was based on the people, which was religious and purposeful and which knew what it was doing - managed to throw all of them out of the arena.

Recently too, the blow which the resistance force delivered to the Zionist army and which is still fresh is among the achievements that have not been forgotten. The same is true of the Palestinian Resistance. A group of people who had limited capabilities and weapons and who lived in a small area managed to defeat them in the 22-day and 8-day wars and in the 51-day war which broke out in the Ramadan of last summer. They managed to defeat them because the people were committed and because they supported the Palestinian Resistance. The Palestinian Resistance managed to defeat and humiliate the vicious army of the Zionists and it made this army accept the truce. Take a look at the recent events in Iraq. Those who had been provoked by America, the Zionists and others came to the gates of Baghdad, but the popular forces of Iraq managed to deliver a blow - with the support of the army - to the forces which are called DAESH. The same is true of Syria. In that country too, popular forces came to the army's help. People are like this. Whenever the scene is entrusted to people, to popular motives and to various forces comprised of people, tasks will be accomplished.

One of the signs of this is the 22nd of Bahman. I really do not know how to thank the dear and great people of Iran and I do not know how to describe their presence in this year's 22nd of Bahman rallies. According to the reports that have been delivered to me - and these reports are accurate - in almost all capitals of provinces, the turnout was larger than last year. The rallies were held in a thousand cities. Based on experts' calculations, the population in almost every capital was larger than last year.

In some cities, the people held rallies in the cold and under heavy snow and rain. In some cities like Ahwaz, the people held their rallies in a dust storm. Are these minor achievements? Thirty six years have passed from the Revolution. In which place in the world do the people commemorate the anniversary of their revolution in such a magnificent and glorious way? This is because the task is in the hands of the people. The Revolution and the Islamic Republic have pinned their hopes on the people on the issue of the 22nd of Bahman and commemorating the Revolution. Tasks are entrusted to the people. The people move forward like this. This is a general principle. Whenever we enjoyed the presence of the people on major and minor issues, we witnessed such miracles.

Today, I would like to speak a little about the economy of the country. It is several years now that I have been stressing and highlighting economic issues in the beginning of each year. This country is a large country. It is vast and heavily populated. The domestic market of our country is a 70-plus million market. This is very significant and valuable. Take a look at our resources and capabilities, whether our manpower - this country enjoys a large number of youth who are competent, educated, motivated, enthusiastic and prepared to work - or our natural sources of wealth. Despite these resources, we have economic problems. Where does the problem come from? What is the solution? What measures should be adopted?

I will tell you that after the end of the war - that is to say, the year 1367 when the eight-year Defense Era came to an end - all arrogant powers formulated certain plans in order to prevent Islamic Iran from becoming an influential economic power in the region. They made efforts and they worked on it. Well, when the war came to an end, we began to plan for economic matters and for progress. We became busy with planning. They found out that if they do not stop Iran and if they do not intervene and interfere, Islamic Iran would become an economic power in the region with its capabilities - on that day, we also benefited from the holy existence of our magnanimous Imam (r.a.) and he was still alive - and by relying on Islam and the people. They found out that under such circumstances, Iran would influence regional and global economy.

Therefore, they planned to prevent this. Their plans were not related to nuclear issues. Even before nuclear issues arose, our enemies began to make efforts. It is only 10, 12 years that nuclear issues have arisen and their plans began before that - that is to say, in the year 1367, 1368. Those individuals who are well-informed know that the plans of westerners and mainly America were based on circumventing and going around Iran. They wanted to go around Iran on the issue of transferring gas and oil pipelines. They wanted to go around Iran in major passages in the air, on land and in the sea. They wanted to go around Iran in the area of communications networks. This was a kind of imposing sanctions in a quiet and secret way. They wanted to do something to frighten all parties of any important activity that Iran wanted to do. These are events that have taken place in our country.

Those individuals who make extravagant claims and who do not have enough information should not say that no one has hatched any plot. This is not the case. Many efforts have been made. The enemy formulated a plan in this regard and it has implemented it step by step until today. What you witness today is the outcome of the domestic movement of the country and the enmity of the enemies. The enemy should not be forgotten. In the area of the economy, he did planning in the real sense of the word. In some areas, he entered the area in an outspoken way and in some areas, he entered the arena secretly. But well-informed individuals were aware of his activities and they knew what he was doing. Who is the enemy? The enemy is America and a few European countries which follow America. These plans are not related to the present time.

Well, what is the cure? It is clear that the enemy shows enmity. Do we expect the enemy to do anything for us? No, we cannot expect the enemy to do anything and we cannot blame him. Do we blame America? No, not at all. One blames one's friends. Well, it is in the enemy's nature to show enmity. So, what is the solution? The solution is that a people make efforts on their own and do something to counteract or reduce the enemy's blow which is certain. This is the cure. My dear ones and you dear youth, you should pay attention to these points.

There have been two great problems in our economy: one is that our economy was based on oil and another is that it was governmental. Our economy is based on oil. What does it mean? It means that we extract oil - which is our permanent investment and which has a value added - from under the ground and we sell it in the crude form so that we can use the money for the affairs of the country. There is no greater loss. Oil-based economy is like this. Well, oil can be changed into products. I estimate - some scientific analyses confirm my estimation - that the value of the oil that we change into petroleum, gasoline, white oil as well as other substances that have not been produced by human beings yet can increase by hundreds of times. We are not aware of this. We extract oil from wells so that we can sell this resource and use the money for different affairs of the country.

This resource is not reproduced under the ground. It is among finite resources. We cannot say, "When we extract all of it, it will be produced again". This is not the case. When we extract it, it will finish. Oil and gas are like this. There is really nothing worse than this. This is one of the sinister legacies of the former taghuti regime. Of course, this is an easy way of earning money and some officials in different eras have preferred to use this easy money. This is one problem.

The second problem is that our economy is governmental. Since the beginning of the Revolution, we entrusted the economy to the government because of the outlooks and viewpoints that existed in those days. It was we ourselves who did it and it was not imposed by others. Now, it is very difficult - no matter how hard we try - to entrust economy to the people with accurate planning and in a way that justice is observed. We announced the policies on the Article 44 of the Constitution which meant that we should put an end to governmental economy. In this same Hussainiyah, I explained to officials - they gathered upstairs for the meeting - how much money we need and that it is not possible to gain this money unless we do so. I explained to them that the policies on Article 44 of the Constitution should be implemented the way we announced. These tasks should be carried out.

Well, in the beginning of this year, last year and the years before that, I spoke about the economy. To be fair, officials have tried hard. I confirm the efforts that are being made. During the recent years, efforts have always been made, but it is not enough. What we want to say is that these efforts should be given fresh impetus.

Today is the 29th of Bahman. Last year on the 29th of Bahman, we announced the policies on the economy of resistance to different organizations. One year has passed from that day. The economy of resistance is necessary for a country. It is necessary whether sanctions exist or not. The economy of resistance means that we build the economic structure of the country in a way that global fluctuations cannot influence it. It should be developed so that we do not lament if the price of oil goes down from 100 to 45 dollars. We should develop it so that we do not lament if the Americans threaten to impose sanctions on such and such a product or if they really impose sanctions on them. We should develop it so that we do not lament because the Europeans have imposed sanctions on our shipping companies. If the economy of resistance exists in the country, none of these global fluctuations can harm the people's lives. The economy of resistance means this. It means building the economic structure of the country in a way that popular forces can be benefitted from.

We should really ask for the people's help and we should do planning so that our economic structure is strengthened. Later on, I will give some examples of the tasks that should be carried out. The officials of the country should develop the economic movement of the country like this. If this happens, there will be a blossoming. If it happens, we will no longer be afraid of the enemy's threats, we will not shiver with the fear of others' sanctions and we will not go into mourning because of a reduction in the price of oil. This is the economy of resistance. Under such circumstances, the economy of resistance is dependent on the people and on domestic production.

An important issue about the economy of the country is that the dependence of the budget on oil should be cut. We should reach this. Of course, what I am saying to you now - and I have said it many times - is easy in words, but it is very difficult in practice. I myself was involved in executive tasks for many years. I know that executive tasks are difficult, but I believe that this difficult task can be carried out. Taking action is more difficult than talking, but it is possible to carry out this difficult task by showing determination and by trusting our people, our youth, the domestic resources of the country and Allah the Exalted Who has promised to help us. One of the tasks, which is the most important one, is that the budget should rely on domestic production - that is to say, on the income that the people earn and the taxes that they pay. Now, I want to say a few things about taxes.

My dear ones, paying taxes is a responsibility. In the present time, we take tax from the weak - we take it from government employees, workers and ordinary bazaaris - but we do not take tax such and such a big investor and tycoon who earns money in dishonest ways. They escape taxes. These are crimes. Escaping taxes is a crime. Those who avoid paying taxes to the government are, in fact, making the country dependent on oil revenues - this is while the income that they earn is in the shade of the environment that the government has created and therefore, they should pay their taxes. And when the country becomes dependent on oil revenues, the same problems that I referred to will arise: one day, they impose sanctions on our country, one day, the price of oil reduces and one day, they bully it. The country will be in this situation. The issue of paying taxes is very important. Of course, I have heard that the officials in charge of taxes are doing some planning. They are carrying out good tasks, but they should be carried out sooner. The people should be asked for help and they should offer help. This is the first point.

The first important task that should be carried out is to make the budget of the country and the administration dependent on the people's income - that is to say, on taxes which is related to production and business.

Another point is to improve quality. This is one of the common phrases that is used. I would like to say this in simple Farsi. Our producers and manufactures should try to reduce the cost of production and improve quality by decreasing unnecessary costs. This is improving quality. Of course, part of production costs is related to things which are out of manufacturer's control. For example, high inflation, workers' wages and the price of substances. Part of the cost is related to these things, but part of it is also related to unnecessary spending and extravagance. These things should be prevented.

Another important issue is making maximum use of domestic capacities. Our country is located in a sensitive area. We have many neighbors. We have seas everywhere and we have access to the entire world. If you look at the map of our country, you will see that it is a very important and sensitive junction on land and in the air. It has access to international waters. These are very important opportunities. As well as resources and facilities, there should be planning and thinking. We should make maximum use of these opportunities.

Another point which is related to the people is consuming domestic products. I have repeated this many times in the speeches that I delivered in the beginning and other times of the year. In the present time too, I would like to say it to you: the people should use domestic products. They should not go after foreign products. Now, it is common to say, "brands". They say that such and such a thing is a brand. What is brand? You should use domestic products. The people of Iran should not use foreign products and those products whose Iranian version exists. They should use them in a completely zealous and prejudiced way. I am not only addressing this to a particular group of people. Well, when we say this, a group of religious people immediately listen and they send us messages asking if they should use such and such a foreign product. So, I am not only saying this to religious individuals and to those who listen to us because of religious reasons.

I am addressing this to any person who is interested in Iran and the future of the country. I am addressing this to those who think about the future of their children because they are the ones who will live in this country in the future. When you use foreign products, you are actually helping foreign companies, workers and manufactures to increase their products. This will harm domestic production and it will lead to its failure. I am saying this to all the people, particularly those who are big consumers. This also includes government officials and employees. They too should use domestic products in their buildings and for their different needs.

Avoiding extravagance is another issue. We should avoid extravagance and wasting money, public resources, water, bread and soil. Soil is a source of wealth. Water is a source of wealth. Bread is a precious product. They should be careful. Everyone should be careful and they should have a sense of responsibility. They should not destroy these resources.

Another issue is knowledge-based companies. I would like to stress the importance of these companies. Today, we have many educated youth. A few weeks ago, high school students held an exhibition in which they really showed us many astonishing and impressive achievements. They were mostly young. They were some high school students. Well, this is our resource and wealth. Knowledge-based companies should be established. Such companies are not particular to industry. They should be established in the area of industry, agriculture, public services and assessing needs. They should look and see what different economic organizations need and what their shortcomings are. Then, they should meet their needs. Knowledge-based companies can be active even in this area.

Combating smuggling in a serious way is a necessary task in the economy of the country. Another issue is confronting those who owe banks. There are some people who use bank facilities in dishonest ways. They get loans from banks and they use it for other purposes which are not to the advantage of the country. And they do not pay the loans off. Such individuals are really criminals. I am not saying that anyone who owes banks is a criminal. Some people may owe banks but we should help them. There are some individuals who owe money to banks, but who should receive help as well. But there are some people who should be put on trial and questioned. These tasks should be carried out in the country.

Who should carry out these tasks? We issued many warnings in recent years. Officials made many efforts as well, but neither my warnings nor officials' efforts are enough. These are not enough. Serious tasks should be carried out. The people too should help the administration, officials and the judiciary branch so that they can carry out these tasks. We can do so. We can resist the uproar that our enemies have created on the issue of sanctions and other such issues. We can frustrate their goals. If we do not carry out these tasks and activities, then the result will be what you witness in the present time. The enemy sits and dictates terms for our nuclear plan. Then he says that if we do not accept these terms, he will impose such and such sanctions. Well, this is the result.

The enemy is making maximum use of sanctions and their goal is to humiliate the people of Iran. Their goal is to stop the great movement that could only be launched by the people of Iran. They want to stop the movement of the Islamic Revolution and the Islamic Republic. They want to stop our movement towards the new Islamic civilization because they know that this movement is completely against the interests of Zionist investors and oppressive and blood-sucking companies. They understand this and they see how this movement is developing in the world and how it attracts nations. This is why they want to stop it. Their sanctions, threats and unreasonable terms and conditions are because of this.

I believe that even if we accept what they dictate to us on the nuclear issue, their destructive moves and sanctions will not be stopped and lifted. They will continue to create all sorts of problems for us because they are opposed to the essence of the Revolution. Of course, I believe that our youth enjoy great capacities. Two days ago, basiji students sent messages to me complaining why we do not benefit from students in furthering the goals of the Islamic Revolution. This is a very important point. Those students who are in the middle of their education expect us to do this and they send us messages complaining why we do not benefit from them on the important matters of the Revolution in the region - whether military and security matters or different other matters. This is the spirit of our youth. You witnessed the spirit and morale of the people of Iran on the 22nd of Bahman. But on the one hand, the bullying and thuggish government of America does not stop its bullying despite all the defeats that it suffered in the region and on the other hand, its European cohorts impose new sanctions.

The people of Iran can impose sanctions as well. I need to say that if someone is supposed to impose sanctions, it is the people of Iran. They will impose sanctions on them in the future. The most gas supplies in the world belong to us. It belongs to the people of Iran. Gas is a very important and effective energy and the world needs it. Poor Europe needs gas as well and it belongs to us. Iran has the most gas supplies in the world in the present time - this is based on current extractions. If we consider oil and gas together, the Islamic Republic of Iran has the most gas and oil supplies. We will impose sanctions on them in the right time and the Islamic Republic can do this.

The people of Iran and the Islamic Republic have shown that their determination is firm. Whenever the Islamic Republic of Iran addressed an issue - in any area - in a serious way, it showed that its determination is firm and strong and that it can work. On the issue of DAESH, they formed a coalition. Of course, they are lying and this is a hypocritical act. They wrote a letter to our Ministry of Foreign Affairs saying, "If you say that America gives weapons to DAESH, this is a lie and we are not supporting them". Well, a short time after that, the photos which showed that America gives weapons to DAESH were published. They talk and make claims, but they are lying and their lies are revealed easily and soon.

The Islamic Republic is not like this. Whenever we enter an arena, we act in the same way that the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) described: "We do not have thunder and lighting only unless rain follows it [Nahjul Balaghah, Sermon 9]. Without a doubt, the people of Iran will stand on the peaks of glory and honor in the not-too-distant future and you dear youth will definitely see that future.

I hope that God bestows success on you. I hope that He will bestow His mercy and blessings on you. "Send my greetings to my dear ones in Tabriz and Azerbaijan" [speaking in Azeri]. I hope that by Allah's favor, you will be successful.

Supreme Leader's Speech in Meeting with Air Force Commanders and Personnel

(2015/02/08)

The following is the full text of the speech delivered on February 8, 2015 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a meeting with commanders and personnel of the Air Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army. The meeting was held on the occasion of the historic pledge of allegiance of Air Force officers to Imam Khomeini (r.a.) on the 19th of Bahman of 1357.

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

I would like to welcome the dear brothers and the officials who have very sensitive occupations in a very important sector of the Armed Forces - that is to say, the Air Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army. I congratulate all of you, all the personnel of the Air Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army and your families on this day which is, in fact, the day of the Air Force. Also, I thank the choir for their good performance.

The issue of the 19th of Bahman - which is commemorated by you every year - is beyond remembering a sweet memory. Of course, it is an important and sweet memory and it is necessary for one to evoke these memories, but the issue is beyond this. The event of the 19th of Bahman is a meaningful and eternal occasion. The event that took place - during which the youth of the air force of the monarchic system went and pledged their allegiance to Imam (r.a.) in an outspoken and courageous way - has a certain meaning and significance which should be preserved. This is a revolutionary responsibility. I myself was present in that ceremony. Some of these youth held their identification cards up and showed it to everyone.

Now, what the significance of this? It is the fact that the Revolution was a rightful and attractive claim that managed to attract hearts - pure, well-informed and enlightened hearts which had no ulterior motives - in all areas of the country. This attraction even included a place like the air force of the monarchic army which was the favorite of the ruling system of those days and of America. The air force of the army was treated like a favorite. Both the Americans and their agents inside our country - who unfortunately had affairs in their hands - treated the air force like this. However, the same air force was moved - under the influence of the Revolution's truth - so strongly that it carried out such a great task. In front of the eyes of many agents and while they were under different threats, they went and pledged their allegiance with Imam (r.a.) on Iran Street. They sang songs, they stood firm and they held up their identification cards. The significance of that event is this: the astonishing event of the Revolution and the truth behind it attracted hearts to itself. We should identify, know and preserve this.

The same thing happened in the world. Well, this Revolution had the capability to penetrate and show its presence in all corners of the country. The people - not only in cities but also in villages - used to go to different places and shout slogans. They used to shout slogans in favor of Imam (r.a.) and the Revolution and against the tyrannical and dictatorial regime. This was the way all the people rose up. The same thing happened at a global level. Of course, it happened gradually. It happened all over the world including Asia and the depths of Africa. Even in Latin America, the people were impressed the truth that a people have emerged who have the courage and bravery to stand up against America and to reject its bullying in an outspoken way.

Many people tried to tune in to Iranian radio programs. I saw some people in Arab countries who had learnt Farsi because they used to listen to Iranian radio programs a lot. This is magnetism. This is the magnetism of the Revolution that managed to attract the hearts of the masses of the people, intellectuals, youth and academic personalities in every place throughout the world that was not under the vast influence of the enemy's propaganda.

This happened all over the world. Those peoples who suffered from America's and other western powers' bullying advocated and loved the Revolution because they saw that a people were standing up against bullying and oppression. This love and support existed everywhere in, we shall say, the world of the weak - in Africa, in Asia and in more distant areas in Latin America. We were completely aware of this because many people used to come and go and the influence of the Revolution and the name of Imam (r.a.) was easily visible.

Well, who formed the opposite camp? The opposite camp was formed by those powers against whom this great movement had been launched. The government of the United States of America was the head of these powers. They were extremely agitated at the sight of such a great and ongoing movement that was enveloping all nations under their influence. This was why they became wild and reacted very strongly. The first cure that came to their mind was to silence the center. They wanted to silence the center from which all this excitement emerged so that the issue would be resolved naturally. Therefore, they exerted pressure as much as they could.

Youth should know that the enmity of America towards the Islamic Republic began from the first day. They did whatever they could. America did not fail to take any course of action that was in its power in order to harm our people and our country in military, economic and security areas and in the area of cultural communications. They have done whatever they could until today. Their enmity was and still is towards our Revolution. Their enmity is towards a people who have accepted and cherished this Revolution. Some people wrongly pretend that the enmity of America and that arrogant regime is towards individuals. They think that the Americans were enemies Imam (r.a.) and today, they are enemies of Ali Khamenei. But this is not the case. Their enmity is towards the essence of this concept and movement. Their enmity is towards the essence of this orientation which is marked by resistance, independence and dignity. Their enmity is towards a people who have cherished and implemented these concepts.

This enmity existed in those days, it exists in the present time and it will continue to exist in the future. They bear a grudge against a people who have stood by this claim and who have endured the difficulties. Some American politicians made a mistake by acknowledging this. They gave themselves away and they acknowledged that they are opposed to the people of Iran. In the present time too, any move which is made by the Americans and their allies and cohorts is for the sake of bringing the people of Iran to their knees and humiliating them.

Of course, they are making a mistake and their analyses are wrong. It is a fact that the Americans are wrong about their analyses of the events of the region, particularly the events of our dear country. They are making strategic mistakes and it is the same mistakes that are constantly damaging and frustrating them. They are making miscalculations.

A few days ago, an American politician stated that the Iranians have gotten stuck and that they participate in nuclear negotiations with hands tied. Well, this is a miscalculation. The Iranians have not gotten stuck. By Allah's favor, you will see what the people of Iran will do on the 22nd of Bahman and how they will show their presence in that rally. Then it will become clear if the Iranian people's hands are tied or not. The hands of the people of Iran are not tied and they have shown and will continue to show this in practice.

The same is true of the officials of the country. God willing, the officials of the country too will show with their innovations and courage that the hands of the people of Iran are not tied. He thinks that they have cornered Iran. He says that the Iranians have their backs against the wall. This is not the case and you are making a mistake. It is you who have serious problems. All the realities of our region show that America has failed in its goals inside and outside the region. America was defeated in Syria. It was defeated in Iraq and Lebanon. It was defeated on the issue of Palestine and Gaza. America has been defeated in dominating the affairs of Afghanistan and Pakistan. It is hated by the people of these countries. The same is true of the events outside the region. America has been defeated in Ukraine. It is you who have suffered defeats. It is many years now that you have been facing defeats one after another.

The Islamic Republic has moved forward. Today, the Islamic Republic is not comparable with 35 years ago. Are our numerous experiences, feats and achievements, our great regional influence and the deep penetration of the Revolution's principles in the hearts of the youth of this country minor achievements? These events exist and they are facts.

They are making miscalculations on different matters. By Allah's favor and with the determination of the people and you youth, the same things that the honorable commander in this meeting referred to about the activities of the Air Force are being pursued in different other sectors and in all the organizations of the country. And such things are being done while we are under sanctions. They are being done while the enemies are imposing sanctions on us. We have made progress in different sciences and technologies. We have made progress on different social matters. We have made progress on different international matters. Different experiences will constantly provide an invaluable provision for the Islamic Republic. We are moving forward and making progress despite the enemy. It is they who have failed. They wanted to uproot the Islamic Republic. They are not willing to tolerate the Islamic Republic, but today, they have to do so. On different matters, they deliver as many blows as they can with various political, security, economic and cultural tricks and plots, but it is of no avail. The Islamic Republic is making progress with complete power.

Now, they refer to the nuclear issue as an example and they pretend that the Islamic Republic has become desperate in this regard, but this is not the case.

I want to say that first of all, I consent to an agreement that is workable. Of course, I do not mean a bad agreement. The Americans constantly repeat, "We believe that making no agreement is better than making a bad one". We too have the same opinion. We too believe that making no agreement is better than making an agreement that is to the disadvantage of national interests, one that leads to the humiliation of the great and magnificent people of Iran.

Second, everyone should know that our officials, our negotiating team and our administration are doing their best to take away the option of sanctions from the enemy. They are trying to take away the option of sanctions from this deceptive and treacherous enemy. If they can do so, then so much the better, but if they fail, both our enemies and our friends throughout the world should know that there are many solutions inside the country which can slow down the enemy's plot. It is not the case that we think the enemy's plot of imposing sanctions is undoubtedly a practical and effective one. This is not the case. If we show determination and if we pay due attention to our own resources - thankfully, this spirit exists - we can slow down the enemy's plot even if we fail to take it away from his hands.

Third, recently the honorable President raised a good point in a speech which is: negotiation means that the two sides should try to reach a common point. Well, this means that one side should not try to achieve everything that it wants and expects. However, the Americans are like this. They and a few European countries - which follow America like a child and which are making a strategic mistake in doing so - say that everything that they want should be achieved exactly as they want it. Well, this shows their greed and this is wrong. This is not the way to negotiate.

The Iranian side has done whatever it could to reach an agreement. It has done many things: it has stopped developing enrichment machines. Well, it deemed it necessary to stop these machines for a while. It has stopped producing 20-percent uranium which is a very great feat. It was a very great achievement to produce 20-percent uranium. Those who are experts on this matter know that producing 20 percent from 5 percent is much more significant than producing uranium which is higher than 20 percent. However, our youth and our committed scientists did so. In any case, the Iranian side stopped this because negotiations required it. The Iranians have closed the Arak Factory - which was a very great achievement and a very important innovation in the area of technology - for now. They have closed - for now - Fordo which is one of the best innovations made by our domestic forces for the sake of ensuring the security of our centrifuges. They have achieved so many great tasks. Therefore, the Iranian side has acted in a reasonable way. It has acted according to the requirements of negotiation.

On the contrary, the other side is greedy, it behaves in an impolite and impudent way and it wants to blackmail us. Well, if our officials show resistance on such matters, they are right and no one should blame them. They should show and are showing resistance. From the beginning, the Islamic Republic moved with reason on different issues. During the Sacred Defense Era, we made reason and logic our main principle. We acted in a reasonable way in the process of accepting the resolution. We have acted in a reasonable way on different matters after the war and until today. The Islamic Republic has not acted in an irrational way on any matter. On this matter too, it is moving forward with reason. However, the other side does not know anything about reason. They themselves acknowledge their irrationality which is accompanied by reliance on bullying. They say, "We have managed to force Iran into stopping its nuclear machines and different other things. We have made it stop and close such and such a thing".

They are right, the Islamic Republic has carried out these tasks, but it has done so according to the requirements of negotiation. However, they show greed. Well, the people of Iran do not give in to greed and bullying.

We are satisfied with the progress that our governmental officials have begun. They are making efforts. They are really making efforts and they are putting time and energy into it. If they make a good agreement, it is fine by us. I myself agree with that and I am sure that the people of Iran are not opposed to an agreement which preserves their dignity, respect and interests. However, these requirements should undoubtedly be considered. The respect and dignity of the people of Iran and the fundamental issue of the progress of the Iranian nation should be preserved and protected.

The people of Iran are not used to listening to the enemies' bullying. They are not used to surrendering to their oppression and blackmail no matter if the other side is America or others. One day, America and the former Soviet Union joined hands against the Islamic Republic. Despite their differences, they used to bully us together, but the Islamic Republic did not give in to their bullying and it became victorious and successful. The same is true of today. Today too, the people of Iran and the Islamic Republic do not give in to bullying.

We have heard that they say, "Let us agree about general principles for the moment. Later on, we can come to an agreement about details". I do not like this. Our experience about the behavior of the other side gives us the feeling that this will become a tool for them to make constant excuses about details. If they want to make an agreement, they should agree about details and general points in one single session and then they should sign it. If they come to an agreement about general points and then they attend to details on the basis of these general points - which are vague, interpretable and analyzable things - this is not reasonable.

Everything that is agreed upon between our officials and the other side should be clear and transparent and it should not be open to interpretation. It should not be the case that the other side - which achieves its goals by breaking its promises and by haggling - continues to make excuses on different matters, go back on its promises and make things difficult. Everything that is done is for the sake of taking the weapon and option of sanctions away from the enemy's hands. If they can do so, then it will be good. Of course, sanctions should be taken away from the enemy in the true sense of the word. Sanctions should really be lifted. Our agreement should be like this. However, if they fail to make such an agreement, the people of Iran, officials, the honorable administration and others have many different options. They should definitely take these options so that they can counteract and slow the plot of imposing sanctions.

By Allah's favor, the people of Iran will show on the 22nd of Bahman that those who want to humiliate the people of Iran will face their counterblow. All the people of Iran and sympathetic personalities share the belief that national dignity is very very important for a country. If dignity exists, security will exist as well and if security exists, progress will be possible as well. But if a people are humiliated, everything that they have - including their security and wealth - will be gambled on. Therefore, national dignity should be preserved and officials know this. By Allah's grace, on the 22nd of Bahman, the people of Iran will bring the enemy to his knees with their presence and by displaying their power and firm determination.

Dear God, bestow Your kindness and blessings on all the people of Iran. Bestow Your guidance on all of us. Dear God, associate the dear martyrs of the Sacred Defense Era, martyrs before and after that and all the martyrs of our Armed Forces and Air Force with the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.). Associate our magnanimous Imam (r.a.) - that great man who launched this blessed movement - with the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.).

Greetings be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings

Letter of Ayatollah Al Uzma Seyyed Ali Khamenei to the Youth in Europe and North America

In the name of God, the Beneficent the Merciful

To the Youth in Europe and North America,

The recent events in France and similar ones in some other Western countries have convinced me to directly talk to you about them. I am addressing you, [the youth], not because I overlook your parents, rather it is because the future of your nations and countries will be in your hands; and also I find that the sense of quest for truth is more vigorous and attentive in your hearts.

I don't address your politicians and statesmen either in this writing because I believe that they have consciously separated the route of politics from the path of righteousness and truth.

I would like to talk to you about Islam, particularly the image that is presented to you as Islam. Many attempts have been made over the past two decades, almost since the disintegration of the Soviet Union, to place this great religion in the seat of a horrifying enemy. The provocation of a feeling of horror and hatred and its utilization has unfortunately a long record in the political history of the West.

Here, I don't want to deal with the different phobias with which the Western nations have thus far been indoctrinated. A cursory review of recent critical studies of history would bring home to you the fact that the Western governments' insincere and hypocritical treatment of other nations and cultures has been censured in new historiographies.

The histories of the United States and Europe are ashamed of slavery, embarrassed by the colonial period and chagrined at the oppression of people of color and non-Christians. Your researchers and historians are deeply ashamed of the bloodsheds wrought in the name of religion between the Catholics and Protestants or in the name of nationality and ethnicity during the First and Second World Wars. This approach is admirable.

By mentioning a fraction of this long list, I don't want to reproach history; rather I would like you to ask your intellectuals as to why the public conscience in the West awakens and comes to its senses after a delay of several decades or centuries. Why should the revision of collective conscience apply to the distant past and not to the current problems? Why is it that attempts are made to prevent public awareness regarding an important issue such as the treatment of Islamic culture and thought?

You know well that humiliation and spreading hatred and illusionary fear of the "other" have been the common base of all those oppressive profiteers. Now, I would like you to ask yourself why the old policy of spreading "phobia" and hatred has targeted Islam and Muslims with an unprecedented intensity. Why does the power structure in the world want Islamic thought to be marginalized and remain latent? What concepts and values in Islam disturb the programs of the super powers and what interests are safeguarded in the shadow of distorting the image of Islam? Hence, my first request is: Study and research the incentives behind this widespread tarnishing of the image of Islam.

My second request is that in reaction to the flood of prejudgments and disinformation campaigns, try to gain a direct and firsthand knowledge of this religion. The right logic requires that you understand the nature and essence of what they are frightening you about and want you to keep away from.

I don't insist that you accept my reading or any other reading of Islam. What I want to say is: Don't allow this dynamic and effective reality in today's world to be introduced to you through resentments and prejudices. Don't allow them to hypocritically introduce their own recruited terrorists as representatives of Islam.

Receive knowledge of Islam from its primary and original sources. Gain information about Islam through the Qur'an and the life of its great Prophet. I would like to ask you whether you have directly read the Qur'an of the Muslims. Have you studied the teachings of the Prophet of Islam and his humane, ethical doctrines? Have you ever received the message of Islam from any sources other than the media?

Have you ever asked yourself how and on the basis of which values has Islam established the greatest scientific and intellectual civilization of the world and raised the most distinguished scientists and intellectuals throughout several centuries?

I would like you not to allow the derogatory and offensive image-buildings to create an emotional gulf between you and the reality, taking away the possibility of an impartial judgment from you. Today, the communication media have removed the geographical borders. Hence, don't allow them to besiege you within fabricated and mental borders.

Although no one can individually fill the created gaps, each one of you can construct a bridge of thought and fairness over the gaps to illuminate yourself and your surrounding environment. While this preplanned challenge between Islam and you, the youth, is undesirable, it can raise new questions in your curious and inquiring minds. Attempts to find answers to these questions will provide you with an appropriate opportunity to discover new truths.

Therefore, don't miss the opportunity to gain proper, correct and unbiased understanding of Islam so that hopefully, due to your sense of responsibility toward the truth, future generations would write the history of this current interaction between Islam and the West with a clearer conscience and lesser resentment.

Seyyed Ali Khamenei

21st Jan. 2015

Supreme Leader's Speech in Meeting with People from the Holy City of Qom

(2015/01/07)

The following is the full text of the speech delivered on January 7, 2015 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a meeting with people from the holy city of Qom. The meeting was held in Imam Khomeini Hussainiyah on the occasion of the anniversary of the uprising 19th of Dey by the people of Qom.

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

I would like to welcome all the dear brothers and sisters, the honorable ulama and dear youth and I congratulate all of you, the entire people of Iran and the entire Islamic Ummah on the occasion of the auspicious birthday anniversaries of the Holy Prophet of Islam (s.w.a.) and Imam Sadiq (peace and greetings be upon him).

The first thing that I deem necessary to say on the occasion of the 19th of Dey - which is a historical, great and determining day - is a word of thanks to the dear people of Qom because they did not and will not allow this event to be forgotten. There were certain motivations for consigning to oblivion these great days and events. They are still working hard in order to consign to oblivion the determining and mostly honorable events of the Revolution such as the Sacred Defense Era and other such eras. They want to consign the 9th of Dey to oblivion as well.

Oppressors and tyrants wanted to eliminate the event of the Husseini Ashura as well, but Zaynab al-Kubra (God's greetings be upon her) did not allow this to happen. Our lady - Zaynab al-Kubra - made two moves in order to do this: one was made during her capture and her transfer to Kufa and Shaam where she made illuminating and enlightening speeches. The other move was making a pilgrimage to Karbala in Arbaeen. This was either the first or second Arbaeen. This move means that we should not allow the malevolent motives which intend to erase dear, influential and important eras from memories to be successful.

Of course, they will not be successful. As long as nations are alive, as long as truthful tongues speak and as long as religious hearts are motivated, they will not be able to erase these eras and events, as they have not been successful until today. In the early Islamic era, these hostile and spiteful motives prevailed for many years. After the passage of 170, 180 years from the event of Ashura, Mutawakkil - an Abbasid caliph - tried to destroy the pure grave of Aba Abdillah (a.s.). This means that the people of Iran should expect the enemies to continue - for quite a long time - their work, fitnas and malevolent plots in order to destroy the beauties of the Revolution. The enemy will not stop until it can either distort the Revolution or it can consign it to oblivion and do something to make the people of Iran themselves forget and show negligence towards their own movement, legacy and the great feat that they have accomplished. A person who does not know about his glorious past cannot create a glorious future for himself. The enemies are making this effort.

It is you who have kept the 19th of Dey alive. It is you who have kept the 29th of Bahman alive. It is you who have kept the 22nd of Bahman alive. It is you who have preserved, with particular motives, the 9th of Dey which is a similar event. This is a jihadi movement in the face of the enemies. They want to do something to distort and consign to oblivion the truths of the Revolution. They are spending money and working on this. Those who are familiar with the world of books, newspapers and articles can see what the enemies are doing. Today, they are trying to ornament and raise the status of the evil and malevolent Pahlavi regime - the corrupt, dependent, malevolent and oppressive regime that kept our country backward for many years and that created great problems for the people of Iran. Today, this is being done by the camp which stands against the Islamic Republic. Their supporters are those people who were opposed to the essence of the Revolution, who were against the revolutionary people of Iran and who are still strongly opposed to the peoples loyalty to the Revolution. Of course, they have not managed to achieve their goal until today.

They hoped to turn the second and third generations of the Revolution away from the Revolution, but they failed. It was youth - the third generation of the Revolution - who created the 9th of Dey which was a great event. They delivered a hard slap across the face of those who tried to make the Islamic movement deviate by creating fitna. Who did this? It was the youth, the third generation of the Revolution, who did this. Today, they have pinned their hopes on next generations and future youth because they know that these individuals are the main resource of the people of Iran. This desire exists within them. Until the time that you good youth and pious people are present in the scene, are motivated, have foresight, are aware of what you are doing, they will not succeed.

Well, what was the 19th of Dey? Everyone knows that the 19th of Dey became a turning point for the public movement of the people of Iran. The fire of this movement had already been fueled and it developed every day, but its appearance and its ignition began from the 19th of Dey by the people of Qom. This event led to many different movements until the people of Iran entered the arena unanimously. They accepted the invitation of our dear, courageous, divine and spiritual Imam (r.a.) and they confronted that corrupt regime.

What was the regime which the people of Iran confronted? Which people formed this regime? These are very important questions. I will refer to two, three characteristics of this regime. As I said, today there are certain motives for distorting facts. That is to say, they are trying to ornament and decorate the face of the ugliest, the darkest and the most malevolent rulers of this country in its recent history in a way that the people cannot discover the truth and in a way that they do not understand what they did to this Revolution.

One of the characteristic of that corrupt regime was dark dictatorship and suppression of the people with the cruelest methods. These methods may exist in other countries as well. We ourselves have witnessed up close what they did and how they behaved towards the people both during the time of Reza Khan - our fathers had witnessed it and they used to narrate it for us - and the recent era when we ourselves were in the middle of the arena. Of course, youth have not seen those days. There are many reliable sources about what they used to do to the people, revolutionary activists and those who even made a small criticism. They used to adopt extreme measures, torture the people, exert bizarre and strange pressures and put people in startling prisons. Some of these prisons exist today and people are greatly shocked when they go and visit them.

This was one of the things that they used to do. They used to preserve their power by behaving in an oppressive and dictatorial way and by exerting pressures on the people. The people who claim to support human rights today and who constantly repeat these ignominious claims used to support them with all their power. We cannot say that they were not aware of their oppressive measures. They were completely aware of them. It was the Zionists, the Americans and the CIA that created the hellish SAVAK. It was they who taught them their methods. How could they not know about it? Recently, it has become clear that they themselves have faced great problems because of these organizations. How can we add together the recent revelations about the behavior of the intelligence service of America towards its opponents and the statements that they make about freedom of expression, liberalism, democracy and attention to people's opinions? It is a strange world. This was one of the characteristics of that malevolent regime in our country: adopting extreme measures and showing utmost cruelty towards anyone who made the slightest criticism.

The second characteristic was their humiliating dependence on foreign powers. Of course, they deny this through the books that they write to acquit the evil Pahlavi regime, but it is not deniable. Reza Khan came to power at the command of the English. He had no other source of support. It was they who brought him to power and it was they who brought him down when they deemed it necessary. He came and left at the command of the English. Later on, the English brought Mohammad Reza to power and they managed to take affairs in their hands until the late 1320s. From the early 1330s, The Americans entered the arena and took all affairs in their hands. Policies were formulated by the Americans. Government officials used to do what America's interests dictated, whether in their domestic or in their regional and international behavior. They used to do exactly what the Americans wanted. This means the great humiliation of the people of Iran. This was one of the characteristics of that evil regime. This is why the Americans look at the people of Iran, the Islamic Revolution and the Islamic Republic with such defiance, enmity and grudge. This is because they used to witness that era. They have lost such a country and such a system. Therefore, their enmity with the Revolution is endless.

The third characteristic of that malevolent regime was corruption: different kinds of corruption such as sexual corruption which included all courtiers and their companions. The stories about their sexual decadence are too embarrassing to mention. In those days, the people knew about their sexual corruption, but they did not dare mention it. Sometimes, it was leaked through foreigners. They used to say certain things about their sexual and financial corruption, not only among ordinary officials which can occur at any time, but also in the highest levels of the country. Mohammad Reza himself and his close friends were involved in the highest levels of financial corruption, in the biggest bribes, in the worst transgressions and in the most malevolent pressures on the financial resources of the people. They used to accumulate wealth for themselves by impoverishing the people.

Promoting corruption - including sexual and financial - and addictive and industrial drugs was done by the main elements of Iran's government in those days. The Swiss police arrested one of Mohammad Reza's sisters at the airport while she was carrying a suitcase full of heroin. The news spread throughout the world, but they whitewashed it very soon. Well, this disgrace was related to themselves and they covered it up. There was such a situation at that time.

Another characteristic of that regime was that it used to ignore the people. This was one of the most important characteristics of the taghuti regime. The people were not seen at all. During our youth in the previous regime, we never participated in an election, nor did we witness this from the people on the streets. This is because there was no election. Sometimes overtly and sometimes less overtly, they acted on their own. That is to say, they used to elect a bunch of mercenaries and through them, they made their own decisions in the Majlis and in the Senate. The people did not at all know who was in charge of affairs. There was no relationship between the people and the government. The political awareness that exists among the people today is the exact opposite of what existed in those days. That malevolent regime was completely separate from the people.

Other characteristics were lack of attention to scientific progress, promotion of national timidity and magnification of western culture. There was no progress in scientific work and there was no scientific movement in the real sense of the word. Through media, they accustomed the people to imports and this habit has unfortunately prevailed until today. The long-term habits that people acquire are not easily kicked. Instead of drawing the country towards reviving domestic production and reliance on the true resources of the people, they accustomed the people - with oil revenues - to imports. They changed the people's tastes, they destroyed agriculture, they destroyed the real and national industries of the country and they made the country completely dependent on foreigners and the enemies of our people. They humiliated the people, they undermined their capabilities by speaking about it and they magnified western culture. It was a deceptive and malevolent regime which incorporated all kinds of evil.

Well, the people used to feel this. The people of Iran are an intelligent people and they understand and feel truths, but this requires assistance, a loud cry and a religious heart that can bring them to the arena of fighting. Of course, revolutionary activities existed in different corners, but bringing the people to the arena was the job of a divine man and Allah the Exalted bestowed this divine man on the people as a gift. Our magnanimous Imam (r.a.) became the cry that contained all the requests of the people. The people responded positively to this cry. They laid down their lives, they made sacrifices and they entered the arena. They confronted this regime and they achieved victory.

The main reason behind the enmity of the enemies towards the Islamic government is that in a sensitive area of the world and in a rich country which enjoys a very important and strategic location - previously they had managed to revive and strengthen in this country an installed and corrupt regime which was dependent on themselves - in such a country, Islam, the people and popular ideals have replaced them. The reason behind their enmity is that the people in this country do not pay any attention to the requests of their enemies and that they are taking a direction which is the exact opposite of the direction that that regime used to take. The greatest service that the Islamic movement and the Islamic Revolution rendered was that it saved the people from that regime. Everything that has been achieved since then until today - national dignity, the great movement of the people, awareness, public wisdom, scientific progress, the outstanding position of Iran in the world and in the region and everything else - is because of the fact that that great obstacle was removed for the people. And this was done by the people themselves, by religion and by religious beliefs.

Today, the camp of arrogance is opposing and making efforts against this government. No one should think that the enemy will forget about its enmity because this is not the case. When you are strong and prepared and when you know the enemy and his plots, he will have no choice but to stop his enmity. But when you show negligence and trust the enemy, he will find the opportunity to follow his goals in the country. The pressure that is exerted by arrogance on the people of Iran originates from this great and endless enmity. Their enmity is endless.

The people of Iran have resisted and stood up against this enmity, they have preserved the Islamic Republic and they are moving towards ideals. Despite the wrong and miscalculated statements that are sometimes made about the people of Iran's failure to achieve anything on this path, they have made great achievements until today. The people of Iran have taken the path in a very good way, they have managed to resist the pressures of the enemy, they have managed to preserve themselves, they have managed to achieve growth and they have managed to get close to ideals.

We have said many times that we have not managed to grant Islam's requests completely. This is definite, but we have taken a long path in this regard. We have not been able to completely administer social justice in this country, but we have come a long way. These things should not be ignored. One day, the entire wealth of this country used to be divided among some aristocratic families and its spillover reached a few big cities. Today, all the areas in this country are benefiting from its resources. This great movement towards social justice and Islamic morality exists. We sometimes hear that there are some criticisms about morality. There is no doubt that today, we are far away from idealistic Islamic morality, but we have moved forward to a great extent. The people of Iran have come a long way on this path. These things should not be ignored.

Some people deny scientific progress in a silly way. Why do you do this? Our people have made scientific progress. This is not simply our claim. Our enemies and international scientific centers are testifying this. Now, imagine that some people deny these achievements and humiliate the people of Iran. This is wrong. Failure to see the great movement and progress that the holy Islamic government has achieved for this country is not fair and it is wrong. Of course, we have a long way ahead of us. We have not achieved our ideals yet. Islamic ideals are far beyond these things.

The same movement existed in the early Islamic era. At that time too, they were in the middle of the way. You should not think that in the early Islamic era and during the time of the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) and his successors, the people reached the peak of Islamic ideals. This was not the case. The important thing for a country is to start moving forward. Our people are moving forward. Therefore, it should not be spoiled by wrong statements. They should not do something to raise doubts in the people about the great movement that they have begun. Our people have moved forward and great feats have been accomplished. This is what the entire world is testifying. Those who come from other countries are testifying this. It is not only us who praise the people of Iran. Our opponents and enemies have done so as well. The people of Iran are being praised for their power, their resistance, their talents and the great achievements that they have made on this path. They admire the people of Iran.

Today, the first thing that is necessary for our people is national unity and solidarity. Creating division among the people, separating them from one another and chanting those slogans which create discord are wrong under any name. This is against the interests of the people of Iran. This is against the ideals of the people of Iran. The first thing that is necessary is unity and solidarity. The people should help officials and the administration.

Government officials too should know that reliance on domestic power and the power of the people is what can enable them to carry out their responsibility. I have always said to executive officials in public and private meetings that they should not pin their hopes on foreigners. It is evident that today, the enemies have created problems for the people of Iran by imposing sanctions. Well, if their condition for lifting sanction is something that your sense of commitment does not allow you to do, what will you do? If they say, "The condition for lifting sanction is that you abandon Islam, independence, scientific movement and such and such a glorious phenomenon" what will you do? You will definitely not accept it. Without a doubt, no official in the country agrees with abandoning such and such a major and idealistic value so that they lift sanctions. Of course in the present time, the enemy does not confront our ideals in an outspoken way. But if we retreat, it confronts them in an outspoken way as well. In the present time, it is not the case that the enemy confronts our values in an outspoken way and imposes conditions on them. However, we should be vigilant.

We should understand what the purpose of the enemy's offers, statements and moves is. Well, it is clear that no official likes to compromise with the enemies and to abandon ideals so that sanctions can be lifted or decreased. Well, now that this is the case, you should do something to make the country become immune to sanctions. This is the meaning of the economy of resistance. Imagine that the enemy's condition for lifting sanctions is something which you cannot agree with. Look at the issue in this way. Under such circumstances, you should do something to counteract sanctions. We have said many times that you should do something to reduce the country's dependence on oil as much as you can. In the present time, you can witness that in a short time, they have halved the price of oil. When we are dependent on oil, we face problems. This should be thought about. One of the greatest responsibilities of the officials of the country is to do something to prevent the progress of the country and the welfare of the people from receiving any harm if the enemy does not want to lift sanctions.

What is the way to do this? The way to do this is to rely on the inside and to benefit from the domestic forces of the country. There are certain ways. Experts and sympathetic individuals testify that there are certain ways for people to rely on themselves. This is the responsibility of executive officials and other officials of the country. They should not pin their hopes on foreigners. Foreigners sometimes like to exert pressures. The more you retreat, the more they step forward. If you take a step back, they take a step forward. Arrogance is not a system which is based on mercy, fairness, human values and consideration. The more you step back, the more they step forward. You should think of a fundamental solution for this.

And the fundamental solution is that you should act in a way that the country will not be harmed by the enemy's frown and sanctions. There are certain ways to achieve this. There are certain tasks that can be carried out. Of course, officials have carried out some of these tasks and they have paid off. It is possible to do certain things. It is possible to take this solution away from the enemy. Otherwise, if we are afraid that the enemy might say, "If you do not do this, sanctions will not be lifted", [then our efforts are useless]. In the present time, the Americans say with complete shamelessness, "Even if Iran makes compromises on the nuclear issue, sanctions will not be lifted altogether and at the same time". They are saying this openly. This shows that this enemy cannot be trusted.

I am not against negotiations. They can negotiate as long as they want, but I believe that we should rely on real sources of hope, not hollow and imaginary ones. This is what is necessary. Well, the officials of the country are thankfully busy working. They are trying and working hard. I believe that everyone should help organizations in charge. Everyone should help the administration because the task is difficult and demanding. Executive officials too should be careful. They should not create division among the people and they should not create uproar. Unnecessary statements should not be made. The solidarity, firm determination and faith of our people should be benefited in the right way. I hope that by Allah's favor, the path of this country will open up.

I will tell you that as we are significantly different from the first day of the Revolution - we have moved forward to a great extent and we are much better than what we were 10, 20 years ago - the people of Iran will definitely take this glorious path on a daily basis. By Allah's favor and grace, the people of Iran and you youth will witness the day when your arrogant, bullying, oppressive and rude enemies will have to show humility before you.

God's mercy be upon our magnanimous Imam (r.a.) who showed us the path of resistance, reliance on God and wisdom. God's mercy be upon our dear martyrs who moved on this path and God's mercy be upon you dear ones, youth and motivated individuals who have continued this path until today.

Greetings be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings

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