Statements in an Interview with the IRIB Reporter After Participating in the 2021 Elections

Reporter: In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. I extend my greetings and respect to the esteemed and honorable Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution.

Supreme Leader: Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.

Reporter: Good morning to Your Excellency, wishing you health and well-being, God willing. I would like to congratulate you and the great nation of Iran on the occasion of the birthday of our benefactor, Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha (peace be upon him), on this blessed day. Your Excellency! Many of our dear compatriots are currently listening to your voice and watching live images of your presence at the ballot box through various national media networks - via television, radio, and social media platforms. It has been a long-standing tradition of Your Excellency to be present at the ballot box in the first moments of the voting process. I kindly ask you, during these initial moments of voting in the thirteenth presidential election, which coincides with the sixth election of the Islamic councils of cities and villages and the mid-term elections of the fifth Assembly of Experts and the eleventh Islamic Consultative Assembly, if you have any advice for the honorable nation of Iran, please share it.

Supreme Leader: 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 Muhammad and his pure family. Election day is the day of the Iranian nation. Today, the main players and actors are the people. It is the people who, by being present next to the ballot boxes and casting their votes, determine the overall and fundamental responsibilities of the country for the coming years. Today belongs to the people, and everything that the Iranian nation does today until night, from being present next to the ballot box and casting their votes, shapes their future and determines their multi-year destiny. It is precisely for this reason that reason dictates, human intellect dictates that everyone should participate in this great national and comprehensive test. The fact that we repeatedly invite people to participate in the elections, the first effect and result of this presence returns to the people themselves. Of course, with the presence of the people, the country and the Islamic Republic system also gain significant advantages on the international stage, but the first beneficiaries of this voting are the people themselves. Come, discern, choose, and vote. This is something that is important for the future of the country and for the future of each individual.

One vote is also important. No one should say that what will happen with my one vote; no, one vote is certainly significant, and it is these votes - one vote is one vote - that constitute the millions of votes of the nation. In my opinion, enter with a sincere intention, earn the reward, and carry out this task.

My recommendation is to carry out this important and necessary task as soon as possible; this is my constant advice. It is now early, and there are many hours until the end, but the sooner you fulfill this duty and obligation, the better. God willing, we hope that the Almighty God blesses your votes and that you can, God willing, prepare a good future for your country and for each individual of the nation with your votes. We hope, God willing, that by the blessing of Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha (peace be upon him), these days, which belong to this great figure, will be a celebration for the Iranian nation today, and it will be so; God willing, with divine grace, it will be so, and the nation will see goodness from this election, God willing, by the grace of the Lord. I once again thank all those involved. I emphasize that in every part of the country, the work should be done with complete diligence. We also extend our greetings to you, esteemed reporters and photographers, and wish you well and strength.

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