Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in a Public Meeting with the People of East Azerbaijan

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

I extend a warm welcome to my dear brothers and sisters who have traveled the long distance from Tabriz and the cities of Azerbaijan to attend this Hussainiyah. I hope that divine grace and favor, as always, have been bestowed upon you, the valiant, faithful, courageous, and determined people.

Throughout these long years, whenever we have met with the people of Azerbaijan—whether here, in Tabriz, or in other cities—we have witnessed signs of vitality, freshness, enthusiasm, and innovation in the behavior and slogans of the people; today is no different. This has been the case in our country's history, and it has been particularly evident in the recent past. When we delve into the history close to our time, we see that the people of Azerbaijan and Tabriz have often established their presence and position at the forefront, especially when significant historical interests of the country were at stake. For instance, during the Tobacco Protest, which was a very important juncture, the enemies of the country's independence sought to swallow the nation whole; one of the critical points where the people and the clergy stood firm and made an impact was Tabriz. The late Amirza Javad Mojtahed, a renowned scholar from Tabriz, and the massive crowds of people followed him. In the Constitutional Revolution, the events in Tabriz are astonishing. Many books have been written about the role of Azerbaijan in the Constitutional Revolution and the orientation of the people of Azerbaijan; however, I believe there are still untold stories that can and should be written.

My father was a young man during the events of the Tabriz Constitutional Revolution. He witnessed the events firsthand. The late Bagher Khan was their neighbor in the Qareh Bagh neighborhood. He observed the issues closely and recounted them. We know that the orientations of Sattar Khan and Bagher Khan during the Constitutional Revolution were directly opposite to those who sought an English-style constitutionalism and a constitutionalism under foreign banners. Sattar Khan, in his speeches and declarations, said: "I want to move under the banner of Abu al-Fadl al-Abbas." There were those who wanted to steer the movement towards an English direction, but Sattar Khan stood firm. Later, it was those very individuals who brought the late Sattar Khan and the people of Bagher Khan to Tehran and eliminated them in the Atabak Garden, each in their own way.

The direction of the movement of the people of Azerbaijan and Tabriz during the Constitutional Revolution was characterized by steadfastness, power, massive public presence, and adherence to the correct path of religion and the independence of the country.

This was also the case in subsequent events. In the matter of the late Sheikh Mohammad Khiyabani—who stood alone in Tabriz—the issue was the contract of Vosoogh al-Dowleh. In Tehran, the weak agents of the government handed over the financial and military affairs of the country to the English with a contract. The people of Tabriz stood firm. The late Khiyabani and others resisted this issue, leading to the remarkable events in Tabriz. Tabriz has always been like this.

The events of the 29th of Bahman in Tabriz are also among those pivotal events; otherwise, if the people of Tabriz had not risen on the 29th of Bahman, this great movement would not have occurred. In the Qom incident, a number of martyrs fell—like other martyrdoms—that might have been talked about for a while but would gradually fade; however, the people of Tabriz and Azerbaijan did not allow this issue to be forgotten. They commemorated the 29th of Bahman as the fortieth day of mourning for the martyrs of Qom. In fact, by holding mourning ceremonies on the fortieth day of the martyrs, they educated the other people of Iran about the events of the revolution. This was an innovation, the source of other movements, and it was blessed. Later, people from other regions held the fortieth day of mourning for the martyrs of Tabriz, culminating in the massive movements that led to the victory of the revolution.

When I have repeatedly stated that the designers of American and British policies in Iran do not understand Azerbaijan, it is for this reason; when I say they do not understand the people of Tabriz, it is for this reason. They want to fragment the Iranian nation with illusions; they act foolishly by targeting Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is the focal point of the Iranian nation; it is one of the main centers of the life of the Iranian people. These ignorant Iran and Azerbaijan analysts pursue their foolish goals by targeting Tabriz and Azerbaijan, and a handful of ignorant mercenaries take money from them, deceive them, and the designers of foreign policies fall for these few mercenaries. Until now, every incident instigated by the counter-revolution in Tabriz or Azerbaijan has been answered by the people of Azerbaijan themselves. You remember—though many of the youth may not recall, but most do—that at the beginning of the revolution, some individuals were brought from outside Tabriz under the guise of fighters and opposition, surrounding the late martyr Modarres. No one came from outside to defend the revolution; when the people of Tabriz saw the scene, they came out. Tabriz is self-sufficient; Azerbaijan is self-sufficient in terms of revolutionary zeal and defending the revolution. These are the things that make it clear that they do not understand Azerbaijan, they do not understand Iran, and they do not understand the Iranian people. The designers of counter-revolutionary policies in the world—whether in the intelligence services of America, the intelligence services of England, or others—who think they are designing for the Iranian nation and the fate of the revolution do not recognize the Iranian people and these enduring truths among our nation.

Look at the rally of the 22nd of Bahman; this year, everyone said and it was evident, it was observable to the eye, that those who are analytical stated that the number and quantity of participants in this year's rally, both in Tehran and in the cities, was greater than in previous years. Why? After twenty-seven years, why did more people participate this year? Because they felt that the enemy was looking at them with a threatening gaze, they came to the scene. The strength of the revolution lies in this. A powerful revolution that can defend itself means this. As soon as it senses a threat, its human reality comes to the scene.

When the imposed war began, our people were busy with their affairs. As soon as they felt threatened, the youth came out from universities, from markets, from factories, from villages, from cities, from their comfortable lives, and faced danger to defend their identity; "So among them are those who have fulfilled their vow, and among them are those who are still waiting"; some became martyrs, some became disabled veterans, and a vast majority are still present—day by day, they are increasing.

I have said, and I emphasize this with certainty: today's youth—the youth of the third generation—in their readiness, courage, and zeal to defend their religious and revolutionary identity, are no less than the youth of the first generation—who were present during the imposed war and sacred defense—perhaps they are even ahead. This is the truth of that revolution that has emerged from the faith of the people, the beliefs of the people, and the genuine desires of the people. Now, a few individuals enamored with foreigners or receiving money from foreigners—none of them are the same—come and say something, but the reality of the matter is this. The reality is that the revolution belongs to the people; the people consider the revolution their own, they are pleased with their revolution because they see that the path to achieving happiness, prosperity, and high human degrees—both materially and spiritually—is the path that the revolution shows them, which is the path of Islam; the path of the salvific teachings of Islam.

I must sincerely thank the Iranian nation for this immense movement that took place on the 22nd of Bahman this year. Such movements, such presence, this divine zeal and fervor, causes the power of the Islamic Republic and the Islamic system to manifest before the eyes of the enemies. It diminishes their threats and has diminished them.

Whenever the enemy feels weakness in a nation, it becomes bolder. Those who make statements that embolden the enemy are mistaken. Sometimes they say there is a crisis in the country, sometimes they exaggerate a few weaknesses that exist, but they do not matter that much, they amplify them tenfold in their statements; they reflect them in their media. They are mistaken.

Wherever the enemy feels weakness—the global arrogant enemy, the power-seeking enemy, the enemy that wants to be the village chief of the global village—it becomes bolder. They have likened the world to a village, saying it is the global village. America is the chief of this village, and it should be able to do whatever it wants. If a nation, a population, or a political figure speaks against their wishes, they accuse them of various allegations. This is how the enemy operates. In the face of this enemy, one must not show weakness. If there is any weakness, it should not be expressed in front of them, let alone that there is no weakness; there is no crisis in the country. Why do they lie? Why do they act according to the enemy's desires? Thanks be to God, the country, with a strong, cohesive, intelligent, and awake nation, along with dedicated, active, and efficient officials, is solving their problems one after another and moving forward. This is how the lives of nations are. What crisis? What extraordinary situation exists in the country? They insist on proving that there is an extraordinary situation in the country; with the venomous pens, for various motives: one is against the government, one is against the fundamental concepts of the revolution, one is against the revolution itself, one is seeking power, and one is due to misunderstanding. No, the reality is not as they portray; the reality is that we, thanks be to God, have a cohesive nation; our nation is both cohesive and intelligent and awake. See, as soon as it senses a threat, it launches this magnificent 22nd of Bahman. The more the enemy concentrates on a point, the more insistent it becomes, the more sensitive our nation becomes to that point.

The enemies tried to divert the nuclear issue from the eyes of the people in our country, and some began to assist them. I say that these short-sighted and superficial thinkers, some of whom are perhaps enamored with the other side of the borders, say: "What do we need nuclear energy for?! With this high cost, with this great effort, with all this trouble." But the nation did not submit. Our people were awake; they understood that the nuclear issue is not just today's issue for our country; it is the issue of the tomorrows of the country and the future of the country; it is the issue of the fate of the country. This is a legitimate right of many countries and nations, but unlike you, they do not come to the field to demand this right. What is the result? The result is that those who have been able to acquire nuclear energy will, in the not-too-distant future, be able to control the fate of energy in the world. Now they do not have oil, but if this oil—currently our energy is oil and gas—which is in the hands of our country and the countries of this Persian Gulf region, were in the hands of others and they were supposed to give it to us, I have said many times that they would sell us not a barrel, but every bottle at a price higher than what we sell them a barrel today; with a thousand impositions. They want that tomorrow, when there is no oil left in the world—oil does not last forever, it will run out—the control of energy is in their hands. They want nations that can produce energy themselves not to do so; they are pursuing this. Our nation understood this and stood firm. Fortunately, our officials have consciously pursued this issue, and their decision is serious; they have reached very good places; God willing, they will reach even better places.

We thank God that the blood of the martyrs of the 29th of Bahman 56 in Tabriz and the blood of our dear martyrs in various events and in the imposed war was not shed in vain. We thank God. Blood was shed; families lost their dear ones, but in return, they gained their national identity, their independence, and their dignity. Our country transformed from a dependent puppet state of America one day, dependent on England another day, in the grip of a number of materialistic, corrupt, and debauched individuals from abroad, into an independent country, a free country, a country that even its enemies today acknowledge and say that no force can impose its will on the Iranian nation and the country of Iran.

At the head of the country, the officials, thanks be to God, are from the people, are interested in the people, and possess sincerity; they work for the people and strive, and they truly consider themselves servants of the people. Is this not a significant achievement?

Our youth have recognized their intrinsic value; they seek knowledge, they seek discovery, they pursue the winding paths to the high peaks; is this not a significant achievement?

Today, this human force with immense talent that we have, in every sector where officials put in effort and deploy forces, the forces have the capability to progress. In a significant sector, this work has been done, but in many sectors, it must be done. I take this opportunity to advise the officials to appreciate these talents and this enthusiasm and determination.

With all these youths, with all these passionate individuals, with these high aspirations, very great works can be accomplished. Officials should not fear progress, should not fear moving towards great peaks; they should not be intimidated. We do not say they should not be cautious; indeed, caution is necessary at all times, but caution is different from fear. If someone fears the enemy and becomes intimidated by the enemy, they can no longer move forward. No, they should not fear the enemy. Of course, they should be careful, vigilant, and assess the aspects of their actions, exercise caution, but they should never let the determination to move forward leave their hearts and the hearts of this nation. Stagnation is not permissible; whether in universities, in other scientific environments, in industrial environments, in factories, in trade and commerce, or in religious scientific environments. In all environments, stagnation is not permissible. We are now that we have warmed up to movement; our nation has warmed up to movement; we understand more than before that the capability of this nation to move is very high, and we can, God willing, thanks to this freedom and the determination and self-confidence that the revolution has given to this nation, traverse very difficult paths.

Once again, I thank each and every one of you dear brothers and sisters, and I apologize for the effort you made to come this long distance. Please convey our greetings to all our dear brothers and sisters—both in Tabriz and in other cities of Azerbaijan—and we hope that God will bestow His favors and blessings upon you more than before day by day, and may the pure souls of the martyrs and the blessed spirit of our dear Imam be pleased with you, and may the sacred heart of the Awaited Imam (may our souls be sacrificed for him) be pleased and content with all of you.

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