Statements in Meeting with Various Segments of the People

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

Thanks be to God, the Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings be upon our master and prophet, Abu al-Qasim al-Mustafa Muhammad, and upon his pure and chosen progeny, the guided, the Mahdi, the infallible, especially the remaining one of God on the earth.

Welcome, dear brothers and sisters; you have come from distant cities in this warm weather. Today, this Hussainiyah has been illuminated by the spiritual lights of sincerity that many of you possess. Apart from the managerial, political, and international aspects of these gatherings, we must also seek and expect spiritual dimensions; among you, there are certainly pure breaths, pure hearts, luminous prayers that are answered; we have placed our hopes in these.

Well, today is the first day of the month of Dhul-Hijjah; the month of Dhul-Hijjah is also a remarkable month; it is the month of prayer, the month of supplication, the month of reminding us of the meeting of the Lord with the great Prophet; the peak of this movement of supplication and invocation is the Day of Arafah, where we witness the dialogue of our great and martyr Imam with the Almighty God - the supplication of Arafah, with its lofty themes - then comes the Day of Sacrifice, reminding us of the great sacrifice, "And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice"; then we enter the second decade of Dhul-Hijjah, the decade of Ghadir, which is a remarkable event; this is an important month; and it is the precursor to the month of Muharram. Let us take advantage of these spiritual opportunities.

Most of you are young, your hearts are pure, your spirits are clear, and your impurities compared to those of us who have lived long are less; with regard to the Almighty God, "And ask Allah for His bounty"; seek God's grace in all your affairs - in personal matters, in social matters, in political matters, in international matters - and the Almighty God will respond. When you gain confidence in divine grace and blessings, the first characteristic is that you feel powerful, you feel strong, weakness and fear and such things will be far from you; it is very magnificent, it is very valuable. Another feeling that arises in you, because you are relying on God, relying on the infinite power, relying on the everlasting grace, is the creation of hope; hope arises in you, hope grows, your heart becomes illuminated by the light of hope; when there is hope, there is reliance, there is self-confidence, reliance on divine power, then a nation becomes invincible; a person becomes an everlasting element in terms of authority, movement, and progress. The secret of why we are urged in the words of the Imams of the Pure and in supplications to rely on the Almighty God and to invoke the Almighty God and to supplicate before the Almighty God is this; when you rely on God, "Indeed, those who are content are sufficient with Your grace, so send blessings upon Muhammad and his family and suffice us, and indeed, those who give are given from Your bounty, so send blessings upon Muhammad and his family and grant us"; O God! Those who have been able to withstand storms in this world have been given a part of Your strength, so bestow upon us as well; in supplication - in Sahifa Sajjadiyya - Imam Sajjad teaches us to pray like this, to ask like this. The reason we are advised to pray, to supplicate, is so that we do not lose ourselves, do not err; do not underestimate yourselves, do not see yourselves as weak; if you rely on the source of infinite power and wealth, then you will no longer need anyone; "O God, make us independent of the gifts of the givers with Your gift and protect us from the fear of the severers with Your connection"; even if the whole world turns away, you are powerful. A small part of this feeling has arisen in the Iranian nation; for forty years, it has stood against the arrogant, shameless, and brazen powers of the world with all its might. What you and I have in this regard is a little from a lot; the more we increase it, the more this power and ability will grow. Well, this is regarding the month of Dhul-Hijjah.

Today, I want to talk to you about three topics. Of course, I have caught a cold and my voice is hoarse, and I apologize to you for my voice being blocked; forgive me. These things do not take us out of the field; we will say what we have to say. I want to present three topics, as far as the condition and capacity of the gathering allows. One topic is about the issue of the economy and the livelihood of the people, which is a current issue that is on the minds of most people; I want to present a few points on this matter. Another topic is America, America and its evils and such things; today, new words are being raised in this regard by them and others, which we will briefly discuss. One issue is the issue of political unity and the general public and officials' synergy, which throughout the country, both the people and the officials must strive to synergize; they must complement each other.

Well, the first issue is the economy; livelihood problems are something that all people feel today; a part of the people are under severe pressure; there is inflation; in food items, meat, eggs, chicken, other necessary things in life, rent, household items, and so on, there is a lot of inflation. Well, these really put pressure on the people; there are problems that exist; or the depreciation of the national currency; these are the current economic problems of the country.

Economic experts in the country and many officials agree that the cause of these events is not foreign sanctions; the cause of these events is internal, internal problems. Many officials have also spoken this out loud, they have said it. Experts also agree on this matter - as far as I have been informed. It is not that sanctions have no effect; yes, sanctions do have an effect; but the main impact is related to our performance. If these performances were better than this, more prudent than this, more timely than this, stronger than what exists today, sanctions would not have much effect; it can be treated and we can stand against sanctions. Most of the problem arises from our internal and domestic issues. Now, for example, consider the issue of currency and gold and the things that have come up in the last two or three months; well, large amounts - now they say, for example, consider eighteen billion dollars, the existing currency; for our country, which has problems obtaining currency and cannot import our currencies and money from abroad, it is difficult, eighteen billion is a high figure - due to some mismanagements and negligence, it came into the hands of individuals who took advantage of it. Someone registered an order for one commodity, brought another commodity; requested something for a purpose, did not use the currency there; said he wanted to travel, did not go; the currency was either brought - a few of them - used, or sold to a smuggler [and he] took the currency abroad, or sold it to someone who hoarded it and kept it until it became twice or three times more expensive and became wealthy from it; well, these are management problems; this has nothing to do with sanctions. The respected officials of the country acknowledge this meaning; they accept that the problem is like this; therefore, many problems are of this kind. Problems are related to our management style and our executive policy-making.

When currency or gold is distributed incorrectly, it has two sides: one is the one who takes it and, for example, is a smuggler or sells it to a smuggler; one is the one who gives it. We are always looking for the one who "takes" - the economic corruptor, the smuggler - while the main fault lies with the one who "gives"; he must be pursued. In this work that the judiciary has recently started, which is a correct action, they are looking for this. It is not that they should falsely accuse Zayd and Amr; no, but ultimately a violation has occurred, a major error has been made. We do not say "treason"; my tongue does not easily say that so-and-so or those people are treasonous; no, but ultimately they made a mistake and a significant mistake that harmed the people. When the price of currency rises - that is, the price of the rial goes down - well, for that worker who is paid daily or has a low salary, nothing remains. When the price of the rial goes down, when the price of the national currency goes down, the problems become what you observe. Well, this is one point; therefore, sanctions have effects - not that they do not have effects - but the main adverse effect is related to our actions and management.

Another point is that the enemy takes advantage from here; the enemy is lying in wait. We have an enemy; we are a nation that for various reasons, do not lack wicked and vile enemies; they are lying in wait around, as soon as they observe this problem inside, immediately like a fly that lands on a wound, they come and settle on this problem and begin to take advantage of it; they imply that yes, the Islamic system could not, the Islamic system was incapable; they create a sense of hopelessness, confuse the people. They propagate [against us]; you see, I do not know how much you are connected with this global propaganda; now that the virtual space is available to everyone. Constantly, from a hundred directions, propaganda against the Islamic system and against Islam and against the Islamic Republic and against all the institutions of the country and such things begins, because of a mistake that Zayd, Amr, or Bakr has made; the enemy takes advantage of this. Well, this wicked movement of the enemy is; well, what? The enemy wants to imply that the country is in a deadlock.

My word is this: I say there is no deadlock in the country; in this economic context, there is no deadlock. It is not that there are no solutions; no, the problems of the country, the problems of the economy are known, the solutions are also known. The doers must, God willing, strive, gird their loins, that well, they have started - actions have been taken that I will elaborate on later - one sees; I myself, sitting here, regularly receive proposals and letters and words from committed, revolutionary, interested, innovative youth, which I also send to the executive bodies to utilize; these are things that come to me. Recently, I saw about forty economic experts, some of whom are well-known and some we know, wrote a letter to the President; they listed the economic problems of the country, they also listed the solutions. I read the letter carefully, I saw it is correct; I saw they wrote the letter out of concern. There are also those who have no opposition to the government and the respected President and such things; they are part of the same current that today has a complete presence in the executive bodies, but at the same time, they have well identified the structural problems of the economy and the existing and actual economic movement of the country, they have taken it and written it down, they have also written twenty solutions. When I looked - as far as I remember - it seems to me that almost all of their solutions are correct; these are the same things that we have been repeating in the slogans of the year for several years; in the general policies that are communicated to the three branches, most of these - now we do not say [all] - are things that we have said; now these independent economists, who are experts, thinkers, have said these; so there are solutions. The fact that the enemy and, consequently, a number of despicable internal individuals in some publications, in some websites propagate that "the country has reached a deadlock, there is no way except to seek refuge with such and such a devil or the greatest devil", this is wickedness; no, there is a way, there are solutions; these solutions exist, are available to the officials, they can implement them, they can act. I said some of these have also started, but they must start more seriously. I am now telling you and, so to speak, I am saying it in public, but in private meetings, I have repeatedly told the respected heads of the country and the officials of the country the same thing, they also go and pursue it and ultimately act as much as they can; they must choose good colleagues and active individuals; the same committed youth. We do not lack manpower, we do not lack motivated, ready-to-work, enthusiastic, capable human resources. Recently, about five thousand university students wrote a letter to me and signed it; I did not see the letter, but I was informed about it; they say we are at the service of the revolution, we are at your service, we are ready; they are ready, they are ready to work; we do not lack human resources; thanks be to God, the country is rich in human resources. Well, let these be utilized, let help be sought from them, God willing, works will be accomplished.

The last time I spoke in a public forum on Eid al-Fitr, in prayer, I said this to the officials; a huge liquidity has arisen in the country, which is also due to mistakes; this one is one of the wrong policies whose result has been that liquidity has increased in the country, which has created many problems; I said if the officials of the country can sit down and find ways to direct this liquidity towards productive economy, whether in industry, agriculture, housing, and such things, this liquidity that today is a threat will turn into an opportunity; if they can direct half of this liquidity, it will be like this. Now I also say to the respected government officials - you know I support the government; I support all governments - and I strongly recommend that they sit down, think, seek help from knowledgeable, informed, and intelligent people, and find ways to direct this huge liquidity towards production; it is possible, this work is feasible, this work is practical; it is the duty of the respected government officials and economists, and they must do this work. This is one point.

Another point is that those who analyze economic issues and sometimes report them and convey these analyses to the high-ranking officials of the country say yes, the reason for these problems that have arisen in the market and in the business environment is that because, for example, it was supposed that the enemy would start sanctions from mid-August or from November, economic actors, knowing this, prepared themselves; very well, if economic actors - who knew sanctions were going to happen - prepared themselves, the government officials should have prepared themselves even more to confront the sanctions. I said sanctions have less effect. Now some say thirty percent, some say twenty percent; I do not have the measure to say thirty percent or twenty percent, I know its effect is less. If sanctions really have an effect, very well, you who knew sanctions were going to happen, should have prepared yourselves; you must prepare, they must prepare; it is still not too late. If someone says it is too late, if someone says it is impossible, they are wrong; either they are ignorant or they are just talking; no, it is not too late. Even now, they can make decisions in response to the hostile and wicked actions of the enemy - which we will also address - and take the necessary actions; this is something that can be done. If someone announces that no, nothing can be done anymore and the work is done - [that is] announcing a deadlock - if someone does such a thing, either they are ignorant or, as I said, I do not want to attribute treason to anyone, but the statement is treasonous; if it is not due to ignorance. This is another point.

Well, one point, the issue of corruption. One of the things that must definitely be done is to confront corruption. This letter that the respected head of the judiciary wrote to us the day before yesterday and we also responded and emphasized, is an important positive step for confronting corruption and corruptors; corruptors must be punished. Well, now why do we say this openly and insist on it? Because experience has shown that when there is confrontation and confrontation with corruption and corruptors, screams and cries rise from corners. Twelve years ago, I wrote a letter to the heads of the three branches about corruption; there I said that this is a - close to this meaning; it is present in documents and such - seven-headed dragon; corruption is like this, you cut off one head, several others rise; it must be confronted completely. The reason we make it public is so that everyone knows, everyone understands that there will be a decisive confrontation with corruptors without any consideration.

I have written that it must be fair and done with precision; that is, the work must be done accurately and fairly.

One very important point regarding corruption; let me say this, let everyone pay attention, all the Iranian nation should pay attention. I have long fought against corruption and corruptors and economic corruptors and so on, and my opinion is still firm and strong; but some people, when they talk about corruption, speak excessively, be careful! They speak in a way that the listener thinks everyone is corrupt, all managers and all institutions are engulfed in corruption! No, this is not the case; a small number are corrupt. Yes! Even a little corruption is a lot and must be confronted; but this is one statement, that you speak in a way that the listener thinks corruption has engulfed everywhere [is another]. Some use foreign expressions: "systemic corruption"; no, sir! The one who sees corruption as systemic has corruption in their mind, has corruption in their eyes. There are so many clean-handed managers, so many faithful and clean-handed officials throughout the country in all institutions, who are working hard; why do you oppress them? Why do you speak falsely? Why do you oppress the Islamic system? Yes! In the Islamic system, not a single person should be corrupt; but what exists, for example, is ten corrupt, not ten thousand corrupt; well, this makes a big difference; keep this in mind. Some people in speaking, in writing; now that the virtual space is also available, easily take it here and there and write "Sir, everyone is engulfed in corruption"; no, sir! This is not the case. Yes! There is corruption, it exists in various institutions. I have seen, for example, in the parliament or elsewhere, some are accused; it is true that if you pay attention, you see that those who have been accused are a few people; these few cannot be generalized. Even if it is true; it may be that even those who are accused are false, are contrary to reality, are due to ignorance and lack of information; but even if it is true, it becomes a few against a large number. Be aware that excess and deficiency in everything is wrong.

Well, in summary; in this area of economic issues, economic problems exist in the country and are known, their solutions are also known; both structural solutions and short-term solutions. I have asked the respected heads of the three branches to hold a joint meeting so that everyone can jointly find solutions for the economic problems of the country. About two months ago, I requested this; this meeting is continuously being held, the heads of the three branches are discussing economic issues with some trusted experts from the three branches. This is an important work; we have demanded this from the gentlemen and they are implementing it.

Supervisory bodies must also be present with strength and with open eyes in the field; both the intelligence bodies, the supervisory bodies related to the judiciary, the supervisory bodies related to the parliament, and all the faithful people must feel that they have a duty and play a role. I saw in one of these newspapers, the faithful people - Hezbollah, Basij, and others - were asked that if you reach a place and find out that, for example, they have hoarded, come and inform us. Yes, it is a very good idea; it is correct; many of these actions that have been taken have been with the help of the people.

The government must also use motivated and clever forces - in high management; not just in petty matters, [but] in ministries and in high management - and close the ways of corruption. Yes! The judiciary punishes, but in the executive branch, the ways of corruption can be closed - actions that create corruption. For example, in the issue of currency and gold and these things, if there was supervision, if there was precision, if there was follow-up, the way for this corruption would have been closed; they did not close this door, the work that should have been done was not done, well, corruption arose. One of the works is the closing of the ways of corruption, the doors of corruption must be closed.

The people must also act with insight against the enemy's provocations. [Of course] our people, thanks be to God, have shown their insight; now I will later mention a point regarding the events of December. (Although the session is getting a bit long; it does not matter; you have come from afar, and even though I have a cold, [when] I spoke, my condition seems to have improved a bit.) The people acted with insight, now they must also act with insight, knowing that the enemy intends to take advantage of this weakness that exists in us. This weakness exists - not that there is no weakness - but the enemy wants to use this weakness against the Iranian nation and to its own benefit. He does not intend to eliminate the weakness; he will do everything he can to make the weakness greater; he wants to take advantage. The people, just as they have shown in the past, acted with insight, must act with insight in this regard as well.

And the propaganda devices - whether radio and television, whether newspapers, whether these websites in the virtual space - should not sow seeds of hopelessness among the people; they should not speak in a way that discourages a group from Islam; no, now they want to criticize, let them criticize; I am not opposed to logical criticism, but they should not discourage the people. Sometimes in a newspaper, in a television program, or in a radio program, it is spoken in such a way that one sees "Wow! It seems that all doors are closed"; well, this is not the case; the doors are not closed; why do they say it this way? Know this; know that certainly the Iranian nation and the dear Islamic revolution and the Islamic Republic system, just as they have passed through other difficult stages, will easily, God willing, pass through these stages that are easier.

And as for America. First of all, let me say that the Americans have become more shameless and rude in their rhetoric, in their speeches, in these recent months or half a year, than in the past. Previously, the Americans were rude in their speech; they paid less attention to diplomatic decorum, political decorum, and the prevailing international courtesies, but now they have become more rude and shameless than before. Not only in relation to us, [but] in relation to everywhere in the world and everything and all various issues, it seems that they have lost their shame; that is, they do things, they say things, they take positions that one truly wonders what they are! Are they human? You saw in the past week, during a week, the Saudis committed two shocking crimes in Yemen: at the beginning of this week, they attacked a hospital, killing a number of patients with bombs and missiles; at the end of the week, they targeted a vehicle carrying children - eight, nine, and ten-year-old children - and killed forty or fifty innocent children. You see how great this calamity is? Do you have an eight or nine-year-old child at home? The heart of a person trembles! This crime was committed by the Saudis. Well, the world was shaken, the conscience of the world was shaken; now the governments - [of course] in a courteous manner - said a word and expressed regret or said something, but ultimately everyone was shaken. What did America do here? Instead of condemning this obvious crime, they said, "We have strategic and tactical cooperation with the Saudis"! Is this not shamelessness? Is this not impudence? In all matters, it is the same; the things they do, their words, their actions, have truly become very shameless and rude lately.

Well, they also speak about us; these same people, with this ridiculous, nonsensical tone, speak about the Islamic Republic; what do they say? Now, apart from the issue of sanctions, which they say they will impose sanctions and so on, they also raise two topics; one is the issue of war, one is the issue of negotiation. Of course, they do not explicitly say we will go to war, but they think they are hinting and alluding to it, saying that war may break out. They magnify the specter of war to either scare the nation or scare the cowards; because after all, we have a bunch of cowards among us that they want to scare; after all, they magnify the specter of war, they bring it up; this is one. The other is the issue of negotiation, that yes, we are ready to negotiate with Iran. Then this is one of those trivial games [that is] that one says unconditional negotiation, another says no, negotiation with conditions! These are really political games that are trivial and do not deserve attention. In any case, they talk about both war and negotiation. Well, now I will mention two or three points about each of these, but before I say these points, let me briefly tell the Iranian nation: there will be no war and we will not negotiate; this was the summary of the speech so that you know, all the Iranian nation should know; but there is reasoning behind it, it is not just a claim, it is not just saying and wishing and shouting, there is reasoning.

There will be no war; why? Because war has two sides: one side is us, one side is them; we do not start wars, we have never started any war. The pride of the Islamic Republic is that we have never started any war; we have had wars, but the initiator has been the opposite side. When the opposite side starts, we will certainly enter the field with power, but we do not start wars; that is the opposite side. The American side and the Americans will not start a war either, because I think the Americans know that if they start a war here, it will definitely be to their detriment. The Islamic Republic and the Iranian nation are the collection that anyone who attacks them may inflict damage, but they will suffer a greater blow; as it has been so far. The Americans once attacked here in Tabas - you remember - they made themselves impure, they returned! It is true that they may not understand many things, but I think they are not so ignorant as not to understand this! There will be no war, certainly.

But as for negotiation. Well, now this guy has proposed that we are ready to negotiate with Iran; a number of people here - now when I say a number, I really do not know how to describe them - [said] wow! The Americans have proposed negotiation. Well, the proposal for negotiation from the Americans is nothing new. Throughout these forty years, they have often sought negotiations with us. Reagan, the powerful President of America - who the America of that day is very different from today's America, he was much stronger and more powerful than them - even secretly sent someone to Tehran, the famous McFarlane case, he sent someone to Mehrabad Airport, and in the end, he returned empty-handed; during Imam Khomeini's time. This is not the first time they have made such requests! Yes, they have always made requests, we have rejected them, we have not accepted them. Now, "why did we not accept them" I will explain. We have never accepted, and we will not accept now. The Americans have always requested to negotiate with us. Now why do we not negotiate? Listen, there are many words in this regard; why do we not negotiate? The reason is this: the Americans have their negotiation formula, which I say; with this formula and with this side, see if a wise person negotiates or not.

Negotiation, first of all, in political terms does not mean sitting down and talking and greeting each other; negotiation means trading, it means sitting down at the table; you give something, you take something; the meaning of political negotiation is this. Well, since the Americans rely on military power and monetary power and media power, when they want to negotiate with a side, they first determine their main objectives for themselves; now some of those objectives they express verbally, some they do not say; during the work, they constantly change their minds, they constantly add, they constantly bargain, but their main objectives are determined; this is one.

Secondly, they do not retreat one step from these main objectives. Yes, they sometimes bring up minor and worthless side issues and sometimes they abandon them, which appears to be a kind of retreat, but they do not retreat from their main objectives and do not give any concessions.

Thirdly, they demand immediate concessions from the negotiating party, they do not accept promises from them; they say we do not trust, they demand immediate concessions from them; as we experienced in the JCPOA, it was also experienced in other places. Now they are negotiating with North Korea, it is the same; they demand immediate concessions from that side. If the negotiating party refuses to give immediate concessions, they create a media and propaganda uproar and a commotion worldwide, saying that these people do not negotiate, they must return to the negotiating table, they do this and that. A huge uproar that usually the opposite side becomes passive in the face of this uproar; usually, the opposite side becomes passive, becomes inactive in the face of this commotion and uproar that they create.

And the last stage; after the matter is over and the work has passed, instead of giving something in return for what they receive, like any transaction where you receive money and must give goods, they do not give goods; they take the immediate concessions, in return, they promise, but with solid and firm promises: be assured, do not doubt, do not question; they make the other side happy with promises and the other side sees that they are making promises with this firmness and solidity.

The last stage; after the matter is over, they also forget this solid and firm promise like the wind! This is the negotiation method of the Americans.

Now, with this government, with this deceitful, tyrannical regime, should we sit down and negotiate? Why should we negotiate? The JCPOA is a clear example of this. I was strict - of course, all the red lines we had set were not observed - the opposite side behaved this way, acted this way. Well, with this opposite side, negotiation cannot be done; negotiation cannot be done with this government. Regarding various issues, any government that negotiates with this government creates problems; unless they are aligned, like the British. [Of course] the British are also bullied; the Americans even bully the British; they bully the Europeans as well, but they now have some commonalities in certain respects, they interact and work together. With anyone who negotiates, this is how it is. We must negotiate when the pressure from them, their propaganda, cannot affect us due to the power we have. Yes, when the Islamic Republic reaches the economic and cultural power that we have in mind, then it can negotiate; there is no problem. Today, such a thing does not exist; if we negotiate, it will definitely be to our detriment; negotiating with such a tyrannical side will be to our detriment. Therefore, negotiating with America has been prohibited by Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) for this reason; I have also prohibited it. Imam said that as long as America does not become a human, we will not negotiate. What does it mean to become a human? It means as long as it supports Israel, supports the evil forces in the region; we say the same. Now, if at some point, hypothetically, the Islamic Republic government were to negotiate with the American regime, it would never negotiate with the current American government. Everyone should know - both our politicians and diplomats, and our motivated youth, and our political science students, and the activists in the political field, all should know - negotiating with a tyrannical and arrogant regime like America is not a means to eliminate enmity; negotiation is not a means to eliminate America's enmity, rather negotiation is a tool in their hands to exert more enmity. See; this is a definitive formula that both our experiences confirm and various political considerations emphasize. Some say we should negotiate to reduce enmity; no, negotiation does not reduce enmity, negotiation gives them a tool to exert more enmity. That is why we do not negotiate and it is prohibited; everyone should know this.

Well, America today is focused on economic warfare against us; it is not a military war and it will not be, but there is economic warfare. They are currently focused on economic warfare; why? Because they are disappointed with military warfare.

They are even disappointed with cultural warfare. See; in the 70s, which was the second decade of our revolution, a wicked cultural movement against our country began, which I raised the issue of cultural invasion at that time, I raised the issue of cultural blitz, so that the youth would be aware, their eyes would be open, the people would know. A vast cultural movement against our country began in the 70s; now you look; those born in the 70s are now going to defend the shrine, giving their lives, sacrificing their lives, and providing forces; their corpses are returning! Who would have guessed this? During that time when that vast cultural invasion was taking place, these flowers bloomed in the garden of the Islamic Republic, these saplings grew, the Hojjatis were created; yes, this is the Islamic Republic; it raises defenders of the shrine; it initiates the نور راهیان (Wayfarers of Light); it creates the worshippers in mosques - who are almost all young, as a high symbol of supplication and sanctity - these did not exist before; thus, we have triumphed in cultural warfare over the enemy. We have triumphed in military warfare.

In security-political warfare, we have also triumphed. Their security-political war was in 2009 and the events of 2009. They had worked for years for those events; such events do not occur in an hour or a day; they had worked for several years; the Iranian nation and the Islamic Republic triumphed over the enemy's conspiracy and were victorious.

Now, after the enemy has suffered defeat in the cultural front and in the security front and in the political front and in the military front, they have focused on the economic front. I tell you, with God's grace, the enemy will also be defeated in this front. They will exert all their efforts to win this war; they speak to the Iranian nation with tricks and deception. See; a mentally backward person comes on television, addresses the Iranian nation and says that your money is being taken by your government to spend in Syria and Iraq; this is truly a mentally backward person; these are the same people whose leader said that we spent seven trillion dollars in the region - meaning in Syria and Iraq - and got nothing; he is right; they have spent seven thousand billion dollars there, and to this day, they have received nothing; the Islamic Republic has not done any of these things, it is not even comparable! The governments of Syria and Iraq are our friendly governments whose stability was threatened by America, by the Saudis; we rushed to help them and were able to assist them; we will continue to help them, we help any friendly government; it is not about giving money and such things, [but] it is about exchanges between governments where they give, take, buy, and sell; [but] he speaks this way to create doubt among the Iranian nation regarding the positions of the Islamic system and the government of the Islamic Republic.

Well, in economic warfare, America's goal is to create dissatisfaction; that is their goal; they want to create dissatisfaction so that they can turn this dissatisfaction into internal chaos. Let me tell you a piece of news - this is not analysis, it is news - the events of December that you remember; in last December - for example, six or seven months ago - for a few days in several cities, a number of people came and shouted slogans and did things like this. The American government, in collaboration with the Zionists, in collaboration with the Saudis, had worked for three or four years to create these events; God knows how much they spent! They worked for three or four years to gather a few hundred, five hundred, or a thousand people in several cities to shout a slogan. Then the Iranian nation entered the field, without anyone asking the nation - truly the nation [came]; I said at that time; truly, well done to this nation - they entered the field themselves, cleaned the atmosphere, eliminated the impurities, defeated them. The years of their efforts to create that incident were destroyed by the Iranian nation in a few days. Then they said, well, this had some flaws, we should fix these flaws, next year - meaning in 2018, meaning this year - we will start the same events again. The President of America said that in six months you will hear important news from Iran; that six months later was this August, the events of a few days ago when a few people gathered in several places and shouted a slogan. They are spending money, they are working hard to create an incident, and it turns out like this; the nation is alert, the nation is insightful. Yes, the issues of livelihood put pressure on the people, many are also upset, dissatisfied, but they will not submit to the plots and desires of America and that wretched, black-hearted regime that the Iranian nation will not perish! The enemy is weak, the enemy is powerless, the enemy has been defeated, and certainly in the future, the enemy will be defeated at all stages; provided that you and I remain awake, provided that you and I fulfill our duties, provided that you and I do not become hopeless.

Some people speak and act in a way that under the pretext of wanting to correct the situation or, for example, claiming to be supporters of the weak, they work in the enemy's plan, they themselves do not realize it. Those who address the government saying that the government must be overthrown and such statements, they are working in the enemy's plan. No, the government must remain in power with strength, this government must carry out the work. The President is the elected representative of the people; the parliament is also elected by the people; both the President has rights, and the parliament has rights, both have rights and duties; they must fulfill their duties, and their rights and dignity must be preserved. The parliament must preserve the dignity of the President, and the President must preserve the dignity of the parliament; they must support each other, they must synergize. This high-level meeting of the heads of the three branches regarding economic issues and important issues of the country that we recently held, one of its benefits should be that the branches synergize; they should increase each other and complement each other's capabilities. The people must also act with insight. The people must know what they are doing, know what actions they are taking, know what they are saying and what they want.

And I am confident that, God willing, the hand of divine power is behind this nation; just as Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) told me - Imam said this himself - I see the hand of a power that is moving above this nation or this system. Imam Khomeini saw the hand of God’s power, we also see the hand of God’s power; and the power of God is manifested and reflected in the power of the people and the faith of the people. We hope that the Almighty God grants you all success. I once again thank you for your efforts, for coming, and I seek success for you from the Almighty God.

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