Statements in Meeting with the People of Azerbaijan with the Leader of the Revolution

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

I extend my warm welcome to all of you dear brothers, dear sisters, dear youth; especially to the esteemed families of the martyrs, scholars, and officials, who have traveled this long distance and brought the precious gift of love, kindness, and the message of the resilience of the dear people of Azerbaijan on this occasion. We hope that the Almighty God grants you all complete and abundant grace and mercy. And through you dear brothers and sisters, I convey my greetings to all the people of Azerbaijan and Tabriz, both believing men and women; for the truth is that the presence of Azerbaijan and Tabriz and other cities in that region has been decisive in the movement of the Iranian nation throughout all past eras, from a hundred years, a hundred and fifty years ago until today. It is the same today. It is you who, with your determination, your zeal, your faith, and your resolute will, have been able to preserve the dignity of this country and this nation in the face of the enemies. Every day that passes, the manifestation of Azerbaijan in various arenas has increased. Thirty-five years have passed since the 29th of Bahman in 1979. Today, Azerbaijan, in terms of faith, resilience, insight, and steadfastness, is even ahead of that important and fateful period. All these conspiracies, all this malice aimed at separating the sentiments of various parts of this nation, have had the exact opposite effect. It has been you who have always been able to be pioneers and leaders. In fact, you are the anchor of peace in this country. As you said in your poetry, I say: "You are the peace of Iran's heart."

One characteristic of the dear people of Azerbaijan is clearly observable; this characteristic exists in some regions of the country, but it is distinctly present in Azerbaijan, and that is that the struggles and the zealous movement of the people of Azerbaijan in various periods; during the Constitutional Revolution, during the military occupation, in various events - in most of these events, they were also at the forefront of others - have always been accompanied by religion and religious faith. Although the leftist intellectual movement and the Western-dependent intellectual movement were active in the region of Azerbaijan - from the very first days of the arrival of the sick intellectualism in our country - and they tried to separate the people from religion, at the same time, if you look at the movements that took shape in Azerbaijan, many of which were the general movements of the Iranian nation where the Azerbaijanis were ahead of others, you will see that despite those efforts, the movement of the people and the leaders of the popular movements in Azerbaijan were more explicit in their insistence and adherence to religious matters than anyone else. In Tabriz, Sattar Khan said: "The fatwa of the scholars of Najaf is in my pocket." This means that this great, brave fighter organized his work under the guidance of the scholars and authorities of Najaf; exactly the opposite of what the thoughts of the intellectual movements of the East and West wanted to impose on this country. It has always been this way, it is the same today, and it will be the same tomorrow.

The Iranian nation, as a whole, has placed religious faith as the criterion, standard, and guide. We took the example from Azerbaijan, but throughout the country, in varying degrees, all the Iranian nation is like this. The movement is one of zeal, courage, and a sense of responsibility; but guided by religion, backed by religious faith; this is very valuable. That is why you observe that the dangers that usually threaten nations from the global dominating powers and unsettle them, have not unsettled the Iranian nation. Now, in the current period, at the time of sanctions and pressures, they said they wanted to impose paralyzing sanctions on the Iranian nation; and they did impose them. Two or three days before the 22nd of Bahman, they introduced a new phase of sanctions into the equations; a few months ago - in Mordad of this year - they did the same thing again. That is, during the days of this year's 22nd of Bahman, they thought they would increase the pressures on the people. In hopes of what? In hopes of weakening the people. What was the response? The response of the Iranian nation was that this year's 22nd of Bahman rally was more fervent than in previous years. Everyone came, everyone came out, with spirit, with smiling faces. This is the Iranian nation. Every year on the 22nd of Bahman, the Iranian nation delivers a blow to the enemies; it falls like an avalanche upon the enemies and opponents. This year, too, this avalanche fell. I find it necessary to once again - even if it is repeated a hundred times, it is not too much - express my gratitude to the Iranian nation for this glorious and dignified presence. In the face of this sentiment, in the face of this insight, one must bow down. This is the Iranian nation.

The enemies, in the face of this situation, are in a state of passivity; I want to tell you this. Contrary to what is portrayed that they are in an active position, no, it is not like that; the enemy is in a state of passivity in front of the Iranian nation. A nation with a resolute will, with insight, with faith, knows what it wants, knows the way, and bravely endures the hardships; against this nation, various political, military, security, and economic weapons are dull; therefore, the enemy is in a state of passivity. Because the enemies are in a state of passivity, they act irrationally.

Let me tell you this: The American statesmen are unreasonable people; their words are unreasonable, their actions are unreasonable, they are tyrannical; they expect others to submit to their unreasonable actions and tyranny; well, some do submit; some governments, some political elites in some countries submit to their audacity and tyranny; but the Iranian nation and the Islamic Republic will not submit. The Islamic Republic has words, logic, capability, and authority; therefore, it does not submit to unreasonable words and unreasonable actions.

How are they unreasonable? The sign of their unreasonableness is the contradictions that exist between their words and their actions; they speak one way, but act in another way. Well, there is no clearer sign of unreasonableness than this. A reasonable person makes a convincing statement and then follows that statement. These gentlemen - the American statesmen and their Western counterparts - are not like that; they make a statement, they make a claim, but in practice, they do the exact opposite. Now, let me present a few examples:

They claim to be committed to human rights. Yes, the Americans have raised the banner of human rights, saying they are committed to human rights; and not only in their own country - which is America - but in the whole world. Well, this is a statement, a claim; but in practice? In practice, they inflict the most damage on human rights; they insult human rights the most in various countries and towards various nations. Their secret prisons around the world, their prison in Guantanamo, their prison in Iraq - Abu Ghraib - their attacks on unarmed civilians in Afghanistan, in Pakistan, in various regions; these are examples of the claimed human rights of the Americans! Their drones take off, spying and putting pressure on people; you hear about it daily from Afghanistan and Pakistan. Of course, these drones, as one American magazine wrote just a few days ago, will become a source of trouble for them in the future.

They say they are committed to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. The pretext for the attack on Iraq eleven years ago was that they said the Saddam regime was developing nuclear weapons. Of course, they went and found nothing, and it became clear that it was a lie. They say they are committed to preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons; at the same time, they defend a wicked government that possesses nuclear weapons and threatens with nuclear weapons - that is, the Zionist government. That is their statement, this is their action.

They say they are committed to spreading democracy in the world - now we are not discussing what kind of democracy America has; we are not discussing that - with this claim, they constantly oppose and confront a country like the Islamic Republic, which has the clearest and most evident forms of democracy in this region; at the same time, they stand behind countries in this region and shamelessly support them, which have never smelled democracy and have never seen their people experience elections and voting. This is also their commitment to democracy! See how great the gap is between their words and actions.

They say they want to resolve our issues with Iran. This is something they have said many times, and recently they have said it even more. They say they want to negotiate and resolve our issues with Iran - this is their statement - but in practice, they resort to sanctions, they resort to false propaganda, they make inappropriate statements, and they continuously publish false information about the Islamic Republic and the Iranian nation.

Just a few days ago, the President of the United States gave a speech and spoke about Iran's nuclear issues in such a way that it seems the disagreement between Iran and America is that Iran wants to develop nuclear weapons. He says, "As far as we can, we will not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons!" Well, if we wanted to develop nuclear weapons, how could you prevent it? If Iran were determined to have nuclear weapons, America could not stop it at all.

We do not want to develop nuclear weapons; not because America would be upset about it; it is our own belief. We believe that nuclear weapons are a crime against humanity and should not be produced; whatever exists in the world should be eliminated and destroyed; this is our belief, and it does not concern you. If we did not hold this belief and decided to develop nuclear weapons, no power could stop us; just as they could not stop others: in India, they could not stop them, in Pakistan, they could not stop them, in North Korea, they could not stop them. The Americans were opposed, but they also developed nuclear weapons.

When they say, "We will not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons," it is a deception in their speech. Is the discussion about nuclear weapons? In the case of Iran's nuclear issue, the discussion is not about nuclear weapons; the discussion is about whether you want to prevent the definite and certain right of the Iranian nation - which is nuclear enrichment and the peaceful use of the internal capabilities of the Iranian nation - from being exercised. Of course, you cannot do that, and the Iranian nation will do what is its right.

The American statesmen speak unreasonably. With an unreasonable interlocutor, one cannot sit and speak relying on logic; well, he is unreasonable. Unreasonable means tyrannical, means to speak nonsense. This is a reality that we have clearly understood over the past thirty years in dealing with various global issues. We understand who our counterpart is and how to behave with him.

I have noted a few points that I want to share with you dear brothers and sisters and with all the Iranian nation in these areas. Of course, these words are for the Iranian nation. Those who speak, the President of the United States who speaks, his aides and supporters from the American statesmen who speak, do so to deceive public opinion; now the public opinion of the world, or the public opinion of the nations of the region; or if they can, the public opinion of our own nation. We currently do not care about the public opinion of the world. The Zionist-American-affiliated news networks do not reflect our words as they are; they either do not reflect them at all, or reflect them incompletely, or reflect them exactly the opposite. I speak for our own people. The power of the Islamic Republic is not related to global public opinion. The Islamic Republic has gained its power, dignity, and honor not from global public opinion; it has gained it from this very nation. That solid and strong foundation that the Iranian nation has built and today its message is being continuously and spontaneously disseminated around the world, is based on the Iranian nation itself. I speak for our own people, I do not care about others; they can listen or not listen; they can reflect it or not reflect it; but our dear nation must know. So the first point is that they are unreasonable, they speak without conviction, and their words do not match their actions.

The second point: They have raised the issue of negotiation, that Iran should come and sit down to negotiate. This unreasonable behavior also exists in this invitation to negotiate. Their aim is not to solve problems and issues - which I will explain later - their aim is a propaganda effort to show the Muslim nations that look, this Islamic Republic was so stubborn, so steadfast, but ultimately it had to come and open the door to reconciliation and dialogue with us. When the Iranian nation is like this, what do you say? This is necessary to silence and discourage the proud Muslim nations who today in many of these countries are experiencing a breeze of awakening and feel dignity because of Islam. From the very beginning of the revolution, this has been one of their goals. From the early years of the revolution, one of their goals has been to drag Iran to the negotiating table for reconciliation and bargaining; to say that finally, you see, Iran, which claimed to be independent, standing firm, and courageous, was forced to come and sit at the negotiating table? Today, they pursue the same goal. This is an important matter. When the aim of negotiation is a goal unrelated to fundamental issues, a propaganda goal, it is clear that the counterpart, which is the Islamic Republic, is not naive, is not blind; it understands what your aim is; therefore, it responds according to your own intention.

The third point is that negotiation in the American and global dominating powers' understanding means that come and sit down to talk so that you accept our words - the aim of negotiation is this - come and sit down to talk so that the matter you did not accept before, now you accept it. Right now, in the propaganda that the Americans have launched regarding negotiations - which you must have been hearing about for some time - and the noise and commotion they are making that yes, let’s have direct negotiations with Iran, what to do, in their current statements, this meaning is completely evident: Let’s sit down to convince Iran to abandon enrichment; to abandon nuclear energy. This is the aim. They do not say let’s sit down to negotiate so that Iran can present its arguments, we will lift the pressure on the nuclear issue, we will lift the sanctions, we will stop the political and security interventions, etc.; they say let’s negotiate so that Iran accepts our words!

Well, this negotiation is of no use; this negotiation will not lead anywhere. Now, suppose the Iranian government accepted, they went and sat down to negotiate with the Americans. When the aim is this, what kind of negotiation is this? Well, it is clear that Iran will not abandon its rights. Wherever during the negotiation they see that the counterpart is making a reasonable statement and they are at a loss, they will cut off the negotiations right there; they will say Iran is not willing to talk! The news and political networks are also in their hands; they will propagate. This is our experience. In the past ten to fifteen years, it has happened two or three times that the Americans sent messages to our officials insisting that there is a very urgent and necessary matter, let’s sit down and have a talk. Well, government officials - usually one or two - went somewhere and talked; as soon as their logical words were expressed and they had no response, the negotiations were unilaterally cut off! Of course, they also used it for their propaganda. This is our experience. Well, "He who has tried the tried has been afflicted with regret."

The fourth point: In their propaganda, they pretend that if Iran sits at the negotiating table with America, the sanctions will be lifted. This is also a lie. Their aim is to force the Iranian nation to develop a desire for negotiation with America by promising to lift the sanctions. Their assumption is that the Iranian nation is fed up with the sanctions, that they are suffering, that everything is in disarray; so let us say very well, come negotiate so that we lift the sanctions, suddenly the Iranian nation will rise up and say yes, let’s negotiate.

This statement is one of those unreasonable statements accompanied by deception and a means for tyranny. First of all - as we mentioned - when they say let’s negotiate, their intention is not a truly fair and logical dialogue; negotiation means you come and accept our words, submit, so that we lift the sanctions. Well, if the Iranian nation wanted to submit, why did they have a revolution? America was dominant over Iran and did whatever it wanted. The Iranian nation revolted to free themselves from America's yoke; now they come and sit down to submit to you again? This is the first flaw.

The second flaw is that sanctions will not be lifted through negotiation; I want to tell you this. The aim of the sanctions is something else. The aim of the sanctions is to exhaust the Iranian nation, to separate the Iranian nation from the Islamic system. Even if negotiations take place, if the Iranian nation remains present and insists on its rights, these sanctions will continue. What will the Iranian nation do in the face of this erroneous thought of the enemy?

You see, there is an observation in the minds of our counterparts that we should clarify and analyze. They say the reliance of the Islamic Republic is on this people; if we can separate this people from the Islamic Republic, the power of resistance of the Islamic Republic will be diminished. This is the thought of our counterpart. Well, this thought has two parts; they understood one part correctly, and they misunderstood one part, they made a mistake. The part they understood correctly is that yes, the Islamic Republic relies on this people; the backing of the Islamic system is none other than the vast masses of the Iranian nation; the fortress of this country and this system is these people. What they misunderstood is that they think that through the pressure of sanctions, through tyranny in international and trade matters, they will be able to bring the Iranian nation to its knees and make it helpless. If they think they can take this support away from the Islamic Republic, they are mistaken.

Yes, the Iranian nation will seek solutions against what the enemy wants to do. The Iranian nation seeks economic prosperity, economic growth, and complete welfare; but the Iranian nation does not want to achieve this through humiliation in front of the enemy; it wants to achieve this through its own strength, its own determination, its own courage, its own advancement, and the capabilities of its youth; nothing else. Yes, sanctions are pressure, they are harm - there is no doubt - but in the face of this pressure and harm, there are two paths: weak nations, when the enemy exerts pressure, go and submit to the enemy, they become humble, they repent. But a brave nation like Iran, as soon as it sees the enemy is exerting pressure, tries to activate its internal forces, to pass through the danger zone with strength and courage; and it will do just that. This is also our thirty-year experience.

There are countries in our region that have been in the grip of America for thirty years, their governments were subservient and obedient to America; where are they? The Iranian nation has also stood against America for thirty years; where is the Iranian nation? In the face of thirty years of American pressure, our nation has reached a point in scientific advancement, economic progress, cultural advancement, international reputation, and political influence and authority that they could not even dream of during the Pahlavi and Qajar regimes; neither the people nor the officials. We have experienced it, we have tested it. For thirty years, we have stood against American pressures, and here we are; there are also nations that have submitted to America for thirty years and are lagging behind in various stages. We have not suffered from standing firm, from resistance. Resistance revives and actualizes the internal strength of a nation. These sanctions they impose will assist the Iranian nation and, God willing, with God's help, will lead the Iranian nation to growth and prosperity. This is an important point.

Well, this year you saw what the people did in this rally. It cannot be said that the people do not have complaints about inflation and problems; yes, there is inflation, there are economic problems, and the people feel it - especially the lower classes - but this has not caused the people to distance themselves from the Islamic system. The people know that the powerful hand that can solve these problems is the Islamic system; that dear Islam and the powerful Islam and the officials who are committed to Islam can resolve these issues. Submitting to the enemies does not solve any problems.

The last point: We are logical, unlike them. Our officials are logical, our nation is logical. We accept logical words and logical actions. The Americans should show that they are not tyrannical, they should show that they do not engage in mischief, they should show that they do not speak and act unreasonably, they should show that they respect the rights of the Iranian nation, they should show that they do not kindle fires in the region, they should show that they do not interfere in the affairs of the Iranian nation; just as they interfered in the sedition of 2009, supported the seditionists, and placed social networks at the service of the seditionists - one social network wanted to shut down for repairs at that time, they said do not shut down; so that they could influence the sedition and the fire of sedition! - if they do not do these things, they will see that the Islamic Republic is a benevolent system; the people are logical people. The only way to interact with the Islamic Republic is what we have said and nothing else; through this way, they can interact with the Islamic Republic. The Americans must prove their goodwill; they should show that they are not seeking tyranny. If they show this, then they will see that the Iranian nation will respond appropriately. There should be no mischief, no interference, no tyranny, and recognition of the rights of the Iranian nation; then an appropriate response will be given by Iran.

I also want to mention a point regarding our internal issues, which is also an important matter. An incident occurred in the Parliament; it was a bad incident, an inappropriate incident; it upset both the people and the elites. I, too, was upset for two reasons: I feel affected by these incidents; and I feel affected because of the people's distress. Well, the head of one branch, based on an unproven and unsubstantiated accusation in court, accused the other two branches; this was a bad act, this was an inappropriate act; such actions are against religious law, against the law, against ethics, and violate the fundamental rights of the people. One of the important fundamental rights of the people is to live in psychological peace and security; there should be moral security in the country. If someone is accused of corruption, one cannot accuse others because of him; even if it were proven, let alone that it has not been proven, there has been no court, no trial. To accuse one person based on the accusation of another, to accuse others, the Parliament, the judiciary; this is not right, this is wrong. I currently advise. This is not a worthy act for the Islamic Republic. On the other side, the very impeachment that took place in Parliament was wrong. Well, impeachment should have some benefit. A few months before the end of the government's term, impeaching a minister, especially with a cause and reason that does not pertain to that minister, what does it mean? Why? This was also wrong. I also heard that some inappropriate statements were made inside the Parliament; this is also wrong. All these matters are inappropriate matters for the Islamic Republic; neither the accusations, nor the confrontations, nor the impeachment. The defense that the respected head of the branch made for himself was also somewhat excessive; it was unnecessary.

When we are all brothers, when there is a common enemy in front of us, when we see the conspiracy, what should we do? Until today, the officials have always stood together against the conspiracies of the enemy, and they should continue to do so, and they should always do so.

I have always supported the officials of the branches and the officials of the country; I will continue to support anyone who has a responsibility; but we do not approve of these actions; these actions are not commensurate with the commitments; with the oaths that have been taken, they are not appropriate. They should see this great nation; the behavior worthy of this nation is different. Today, the officials should make all their efforts to resolve the economic knots, to solve the problems. A few years ago, in my first speech of the year, I explicitly told the people and the officials that the enemies' plan against the Iranian nation from now on is primarily an economic plan. Well, you see that it has turned out this way. Both the government and the Parliament should focus all their energy, all their thoughts on correct economic policies. A few years ago, I wrote to the heads of the branches about economic corruption. Well, fight against economic corruption. Just saying it does not solve the matter; practically fight against corruption. We keep saying we are fighting against economic corruption. Well, where is it? What has been done? What have you done? These are the things that affect a person.

My expectation from the officials is that now that the enemy's behavior has intensified, they should also strengthen their camaraderie and be more united. Piety, piety, piety, patience, not giving in to wild emotions, considering the interests of the country, concentrating all efforts and forces to solve the problems of the people and the problems of the country; this is our expectation. We hope that, God willing, this sincere and compassionate advice will be taken into consideration by the respected officials, especially the higher officials; they should adhere to this matter.

Let me also say this; the words I said today and my grievances against some officials and leaders of the country should not lead to some people starting to chant slogans against this and that; no, I oppose this action as well. That you identify someone as anti-Guardianship, anti-insight, anti-what, and then some people start to chant against him, disrupt the Parliament; I oppose these actions as well; I want to say this clearly. I oppose the actions that took place in Qom. I oppose the actions that took place at the shrine of Imam. I have repeatedly warned the officials and those who can prevent these things. Those who do these things, if they are truly Hezbollah and believers, should not do so. You see that our assessment is that these actions are detrimental to the country, these actions are not beneficial. They should not let their emotions lead them to chant against this or that; these chants do not advance anything. Keep these anger and emotions for the necessary places. If the Basijis had wanted to go somewhere during the Sacred Defense just as they pleased, well, the country would have been in trouble. Order is necessary, discipline is necessary, consideration is necessary. If they do not pay attention to these words, those who do not, well, their account is separate; but those who pay attention to these words and are committed not to act against the principles of religion should be careful not to do these things.

Of course, the Iranian nation, by God's grace, by divine guidance, is an insightful nation. I want to tell you, young people! The day will come when we are not here and you are here; know that on that day, the situation of the Iranian nation, its horizon, its material and spiritual life will be much better than today. The movement of the Iranian nation is towards brightness, the horizons are bright. We must be a little careful about ourselves.

We must also seek help from the Almighty God; we must seek help from the pure souls of the martyrs and the pure spirit of Imam. God willing, may the prayer of the Awaited Savior (may our souls be sacrificed for him) include us and you.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.