Statements of the Supreme Leader on the Occasion of the Day of Fighting Global Arrogance

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

I extend a warm welcome to all dear brothers and sisters, especially those who have traveled from distant places and other cities. This gathering is a very pleasant and desirable one, as it consists of young individuals who are at the forefront of scientific endeavors; namely, students, teachers, and members of representative offices, and those whose work is related to knowledge and understanding.

Since this meeting is held on the occasion of the approaching 13th of Aban, the Day of Fighting Global Arrogance, it is very appropriate to discuss the fundamental issue of this slogan, namely the slogan of fighting global arrogance. Essentially, slogans in a country and in a system hold great importance, and dealing with various slogans in any country requires special delicacy and sensitivity. If a nation or its officials do not know how to properly handle slogans, they will suffer great losses.

Of course, sometimes it is heard that some say today is not the day for slogans; it is the day for action. This is not a correct statement; although some who say this have good intentions and want to convey that a country cannot be managed by merely chanting slogans, which is a correct statement.

With slogans alone, not only can a country not be managed, but even a village cannot be properly organized and developed. Alongside slogans, action is necessary; however, some, out of naivety, and perhaps some with ulterior motives, interpret this statement differently. It seems they want to imply that slogans should be set aside. This is incorrect. A slogan, like a flag, is a guide and a sign. Action without a slogan is like a slogan without action.

For a nation to know where it is going and what it should do, it must clearly and explicitly preserve its slogans. If slogans are lost, it is as if a large crowd is moving in a desert without a sign, and suddenly they find themselves in a different place. The characteristic of a slogan is that it prevents a nation and a country from going astray. Therefore, let this be a slogan as well: both slogan and action; slogan alongside action, action in the shadow of a slogan.

The main slogan of the Iranian nation was the slogan of 'Independence' and 'Freedom,' which culminated in the slogan of 'the Islamic Republic.' As time passed and the revolution progressed, the slogans of 'Independence' and 'Freedom' became clearer and more explicit. That is, from those slogans, new slogans emerged that clarified the path. One of those slogans is the slogan of fighting global arrogance.

Of course, global arrogance has a broad meaning. In the Quran, the branches and derivatives of arrogance are repeatedly used. The word arrogance itself is also used in the Quran. It seems that arrogance is different from pride. Perhaps it can be said that pride refers more to a heart and spiritual trait, meaning a person considers themselves superior to others. Arrogance, however, focuses more on the practical aspect of pride. That is, someone who is arrogant and considers themselves above others organizes their behavior with others in such a way that this pride becomes clear and evident in practice. They belittle others, insult others, interfere in others' affairs, and appear as decision-makers for others.

This is the meaning of arrogance, which is also mentioned in the noble verse of the Quran, where it speaks about the arrogant, saying: 'But when a warner came to them, it only increased them in aversion, behaving arrogantly in the land and plotting evil.' That is, they acted arrogantly in the face of the Prophet and the truth. They did not say we are superior; rather, they organized this superiority, this greater right or claiming more rights for themselves, in practice; that is, the long and unending wars of the front of disbelief and enmity and rebellion against the front of the message of truth and spirituality and light and guidance. Arrogance means this.

Of course, in every era and for every nation, arrogance may take on a specific meaning. For us, the Iranian nation, during the revolution and before the revolution and after it until this hour, arrogance has had a specific meaning and refers to the dominant powers in the world that have taken a tyrannical and powerful and bullying presence in the affairs of this country and in the destiny and affairs of this nation. For us, the meaning of arrogance has been this.

If we want to find the arrogant among the governments of the world, we do not face a problem. That is, the American government - which Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) called the Great Satan - was arrogant in the face of the rightful call of the Iranian nation. The arrogance that took shape in our time was American arrogance. Before the revolution, it was like this. During the revolution and until today, it is still like this.

These three events that the 13th of Aban represents and reminds us of are related to this. Before the revolution, Imam opposed the American interference and the issue of capitulation in the country. Because of this struggle, Imam was exiled on the 13th of Aban. Arrogance means this. They thought they had silenced the voice of truth in the throat of the speaker of truth. Of course, this voice was not silenced and, thanks be to God, it became a blessed tree.

During the revolution, on such a day, our students took to the streets and were martyred for saying 'Death to America' and fighting the American front. This, again, was related to American arrogance. After the victory of the revolution, the American conspiracies in various forms against the nascent Islamic system led to our students going and taking over the center of American conspiracies in Tehran, namely the spy nest which was the American embassy. This was another incident in the issue of fighting arrogance. That is, the process of fighting arrogance and the realization of arrogance in the form of the United States of America started before the revolution and continued after the revolution and continues to this day.

Therefore, the Iranian nation must preserve the slogan of fighting arrogance as a flag and a torch. Why? Because if this raised flag is not preserved and this slogan becomes faded and lost, the path of the nation will be lost. The reasoning is clear. Because the enmity of that enemy is evident and not hidden from those with insight, and even though the enmity is evident, the enemy has ways to deceive. Most nations that were deceived and governments that made mistakes did so because they did not correctly recognize the methods of the enemy. If we do not recognize the methods of the enemy and forget the fight against the enemy who wants to destroy us, it is obvious that we will take the path that the enemy desires; that is, the path of destruction, the path of ruin, the path of corruption.

Therefore, fighting arrogance is a perpetual slogan. However, the essential point is that an intelligent nation always chooses the right approach to dealing with slogans. Sometimes, a person only constantly repeats a slogan; this is not much work. Sometimes, they delve into the slogan, contemplate it, and act based on it; this is correct. In the slogan of fighting arrogance - which today I said the embodiment of arrogance is the aggressive American government - the Americans and American statesmen, from the beginning of the revolution until now, have taken steps to remove this slogan from the atmosphere of Iran. Why? Because as long as this slogan exists, as long as the minds of the people are filled with 'Death to America,' the re-domination of America over this country and its resources is not possible.

Therefore, as long as the atmosphere of the country is filled with opposition to the aggressive American government - in a clarified manner - America will naturally have no way into this country. They cannot interfere in the politics of this country, they cannot dominate the economic resources of this country, and they cannot have a cultural presence here. If they want to return to this country, the way is to first remove this slogan; first, eliminate the enmity of the Iranian nation with the system of domination and specifically with the arrogant America.

They have their ways. From the first day of the revolution, these actions have been taken in various forms. One of the actions is to instill in the minds of the people inside the country the idea that America is an invincible power and a reality and greatness in the world and cannot be fought against. Refer to your memory; from the time of Imam (may God be pleased with him) and especially after his passing until today, through various means, in the form of articles, stories, poetry, political weaving, and political analysis, some - whether elements explicitly affiliated with America or even elements inside the country who are not explicitly very affiliated with America - express this idea. If you are a reader - which you are - you can certainly find examples of this in your mind. That is, to tell a nation: you are wasting your efforts, who do you want to confront?! This is a wrong idea.

When the Iranian nation says we are fighting arrogance, it does not mean that we are mobilizing to bomb the American fleet in the Persian Gulf, for example! Our fight is not this. Even the Iranian nation and the country's officials do not say that we will do something to give the bullying America an excuse to make a mad move against the Islamic Republic. Therefore, the meaning of the fight is not military combat in that sense. Of course, if one day there is a military aggression and an attack, the Iranian nation will give a harsh response. The Iranian nation does not remain in front of the enemy.

The meaning of the fight is that the Iranian nation will stand with intensity and power against the enemy's plots and aggression and encroachment and political efforts and all kinds of actions it takes to turn Iran back into one of its satellites. The fight means this. Fighting arrogance means that wherever in the world we can, we will expose arrogance. Wherever an oppressed person is harmed by the oppression of arrogance and is fed up, we will, in any way we can, take the side of that oppressed.

In the Middle East issue, the Americans, with all kinds of methods, tried to bring the Islamic Republic government closer to the treacherous peace process they called peace talks; but Islamic Iran stood strong and did not accept. From the first day, we said that this process is doomed to failure because it is against the truth. You saw that this is how it turned out. Today, the whole world acknowledges that our words were correct. Fighting arrogance means that wherever in the world, if the Americans use a trick and a plot against a nation, against a principle of Islamic principles, and against a truth to which we are committed, we will expose and neutralize that trick, and we have done so until now.

In this fight, America is not invincible; in fact, it is very vulnerable. Look today, you will see that America has been defeated on several fronts. They entered Afghanistan to remove a government that was apparently a legal government in favor of themselves and bring in a dependent government; but they could not. In Iraq, they tried in another way; but they could not. In the Middle East, they made extensive efforts; but they could not. In global political issues and in turning Europe against Iran, they tried; but they could not. They tried to impose an economic blockade on the Islamic Republic; but they could not. They tried to incite public opinion against us; but except for a few nations that think like them and are in the minority, they could not in other countries.

Today, in the world - in Asia, in Africa, and even in Europe - in the name of the Islamic Republic and in the name of that never-ending legend of this system - namely our late great Imam - people are excited and wherever they can, they also chant slogans. Therefore, it is not that America is invulnerable; it is vulnerable. Inside the country, they did everything they could to question the sanctities of this system in the public opinion of the people; but they could not.

Therefore, it is a wrong idea for some to think and promote and write and say that why are you wasting your efforts! No; we are not wasting our efforts. If we had wasted our efforts, by now the Islamic Republic should have been buried for fifteen years, and its bones should have turned to dust and its shroud should have decayed! You see that today, thanks be to God, the Islamic Republic, if it was a sapling on that day, today it is a robust tree.

Another effort of arrogance - which dear young people should pay attention to - is to create an atmosphere against someone they want to eliminate and remove from the field. This has been done against the Islamic Republic in the most intense way over these seventeen years. It is really necessary for our young people and intellectuals and those who want to gain insight into global and political issues and matters of interest to them to pay attention to this point.

The Americans have a policy not only towards Iran but towards any government they do not approve of anywhere in the world. Of course, a government like the Islamic Republic is one they oppose in principle. There is also a government where they only disapprove of one of its actions or positions. This policy is not exclusive to the Americans. All the bullies of the world, in the new era of communications and in the age of modern technology, have this policy; however, today for us, the Americans have adopted this dishonorable stance.

That policy is to bring various pressures on that government from one side and do so to the extent that they think they have made that government helpless. That is, they advertise against it in the world; inside that country, they turn the people away from that government and that system; in the economic arena, they impose an economic blockade on it and in the field of sciences and methods and new knowledge and industries, they prevent it from making progress.

You noticed what a commotion they created in the world about the nuclear power plant and the formation of a nuclear reactor, saying that Iran wants to make an atomic bomb! They know this is not the case. They do not want the nuclear industry to enter the country. They do not want new methods and modern technology to reach this nation; because if this nation, with the talent it has, gets its hands on new knowledge and technology, they can no longer confront it in any way. This is part of those methods.

Therefore, from one side, they bring political, economic, scientific, and propaganda pressure and slander and create an atmosphere in any way they can, and from the other side, when they think that now that government is tired, they show a green light for establishing contact and say we are ready to negotiate and work with you! Usually, governments whose officials are weak, in such a situation, their legs and knees tremble. Therefore, from one side, they bring a lot of pressure and from the other side, they show an open face and open arms!

The result is that when that government - which they want to be hostile to - makes this mistake and says 'yes' to their invitation, it will lose even the little dignity it had gained due to its independence; if it had popular support, it will lose it; if it had global support, it will lose it and if there was a will within itself, that will will collapse. Then, they will increase the pressures even more and take it in their grip. That is, if they want to destroy and dissolve it, they will dissolve it; if they want to impose and instill something on it, they will impose it; it will easily accept it. This method is well-known.

The mistake of American statesmen is that they want to apply this method to a powerful, self-reliant, and self-dependent entity like the Iranian nation. The mistake of the Americans is that they want to apply the same method they use in experiments with a weak government - which has no reliance on its people and has no dealings with the people in that country - to a powerful, self-reliant, deeply rooted in history and deeply rooted in the land of nature entity like the Iranian nation. Our nation is a strong, cultured, and determined nation, and a system that relies on such a nation - the Islamic Republic system - does not rely on individuals and governments.

In my opinion, one of the most important statements of Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) was that he said: this system is not dependent on me and Zayd and Amr. The Imam, who was the father and creator of this system and the teacher of this nation, and it was his powerful hand that was able to perform this miracle and show this great art. He said that this system does not rely on me; even if I am not there, this system and this nation are there. This is a very big statement. When it is like this regarding the Imam, it is like this regarding all individuals.

This system does not rely on individuals; it relies on truths and relies on the people of the nation and relies on the spirituality that exists among this nation and has attracted God's grace. As long as this nation moves forward with this faith and with this sincerity and with this purity and fights and struggles, whether anyone in this world and in this system is there or not, the grace of the Almighty God is upon this system and this system has and will have the same power and vitality and extraordinary presence and ability.

Therefore, the slogan of fighting arrogance is a living slogan. Contrary to what the arrogant themselves have advertised, fighting arrogance is both possible and has a future and is considered a duty for the Iranian nation today. However, you young people and you intellectuals and you intelligent individuals must find the various methods of this fight. This is our fundamental statement.

Recognize the enemy, recognize the continuation of the enemy's ranks inside the country, recognize the methods of enmity, recognize the transformed and translated methods inside the country. Recognize the continuation of the presence of arrogance in universities, in high schools, in the heart of society, in the activities of the country, in the press, and in propaganda. Arrogance wants there to be no deep faith in this country and among this nation, to be preoccupied with desires, for there to be no Islamic 'good' and for what is considered 'evil' by Islam to be prevalent. Arrogance wants laziness and idleness inside the country, for there to be no construction and innovation and reform of economic, social, and cultural affairs of the people. Arrogance wants there to be no progress in science and knowledge in the country, no research, no classes.

There may be those who, with deceptive slogans, do what arrogance wants. You must be completely vigilant. This is our expectation from the young generation. Let us not be content with saying 'Death to arrogance' or 'Death to America.' This is a slogan and it is necessary and it exists; but this is not the whole story. Among the actions we said are necessary alongside the slogan, one is working on this slogan. You young people, sit together and talk. This is what I said the university and the youth environment should be political means. This thing that is introduced as a flag, the path of this nation and this country - namely fighting global arrogance - explain and analyze it.

Today, the Americans who oppose tyranny in slogans, if there is a tyrannical government somewhere, they chant that we are against tyranny! Now, we do not care about the fact that in some cases - countries you know and I do not want to name - they support the ugliest tyrannies in governments and even cooperate with the ugliest tyrannies; but on a global level, they themselves are proponents of tyranny; American tyranny. What they want, they say must be done in the world; not what the nations want and not what the popular governments say and want.

They interfere in all the affairs of countries, especially in matters related to this wealthy and oil-rich region and what is related to the Islamic Republic system. In the face of such interference and such aggressive and intrusive spirit that arrogance has, every single Iranian must think about this slogan of fighting arrogance and you young people must think more.

That nation that is active and does not tire of effort; its youth study, its university engages in lessons and discussions and research and other activities that young people should do in the field of scientific and social activities; its government addresses the needs of the people and cares about their pain and works for the people; its clergy, with utmost sincerity and purity, preach in the way of God, speak and strive; its people move towards correct understanding and stand in the way of God and maintain their revolutionary presence.

Thanks be to God, these criteria are largely present in our country. Of course, it can be better than this and it should be. A country that has these characteristics, with that student, with that merchant, with that intellectual, with that student, with that cleric, with that government, with such faith, with such motivation and sincerity, not only America, but if there are ten powers like America in the global political arena, they cannot harm a hair on the head of this nation in opposition and struggle with such a nation.

Therefore, my recommendation to you dear young people - both girls and boys - is this. You should be present in the field of youthful activities, scientific activities, educational activities, research activities, political activities, various social activities, cultural and press and artistic and sports activities and the like, with all your vitality and with all your power and maintain your purity and piety and faith and sincerity - which you are truly and justly exemplary among the youth of the world in these respects. If this faithful and sincere and pure effort exists among especially our young people and among the rest of the people - each in their own share - arrogance will certainly and definitely, not once, but many times, be brought to its knees and defeated in its fight against the Iranian nation. There is no doubt about this.

What should we fear? Why should we fear? Of course, it is obvious that when we say fight, it means that we stand in this powerful and faith-based and determined position and do not surrender to anyone. It does not mean that we mobilize and go to war with America! Our work and goal is not this. Of course, if any aggressor attacks - whoever it may be; from America to its hands and tools and small proxies anywhere in the world - they will face the firm fist of this nation. There is no doubt about this. What is fundamental for this nation is the same steadfastness and resistance and true struggle that pleases the Almighty God and satisfies the holy heart of the Imam of the Age (may our souls be sacrificed for him) and strengthens the state of expectation of that great one in you and makes the blessed soul of the Imam happy with you and will thwart the enemy. We hope that the Almighty God grants this success to all of you.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings