Statements in Meeting with Foreign Ministry Officials and Ambassadors and Heads of Political Missions Abroad

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

First, I extend a warm welcome to the dear gentlemen and serving brothers, and I express my gratitude for your sensitive, delicate, and important efforts.

Regarding your work, two issues are worth examining: First, how successful has the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic been in the international political arena over the past ten years, primarily the last eight years, during which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has had an organized and orderly routine? Second, based on that past, how should we pursue the future and with what objectives? Naturally, in the seminar you dear brothers have had and are having, and with which I am somewhat familiar, and in the extensive and sincere discussions I have had with you regarding the general issues related to the missions, there have been useful and realistic conclusions.

In a broader scope, these ten years should be considered years of intense and delicate diplomatic struggle for the Islamic Republic. This struggle began within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its organizational tasks, the formulation of the general principles of foreign policy, and extended to the selection and finding of individuals to be sent to the front lines of this front—mainly foreign countries—and providing them with correct thoughts and guidelines, and the continuous guidance of the missions and embassies and our stances around the world—which is truly a difficult struggle—has continued and continues.

This struggle is not just an ordinary diplomatic struggle. Diplomacy is a war. You know this well and have experienced it like military wars and economic confrontations that involve tactics, retreats, attacks, maneuvers, and war deception. All diplomats in the world are engaged in war. The value and impact of that war are sometimes no less than military wars; rather, in some cases, it is even more. Of course, it is not always like this. By war, I do not mean an ordinary struggle; this is the work of all diplomats.

We have been subjected to an unwanted imposed war in the world of diplomacy, which is the concentration of all the powers opposed to Islam and even religion—such as political Zionism, which is at the forefront, and America and its agents and allies around the world, and minor forces like anti-revolutionary Iranian elements residing abroad and opposing the presence of Islam in Iran—on our diplomacy. Our diplomatic apparatus stood alone against all this international concentration. Especially in the last years of these eight years, some countries did not have diplomatic problems with us and had some relations and connections; but on fundamental issues—such as Islam—they would directly and indirectly, and in sensitive times, deliver their blow.

When everyone, with any power and organization, focuses their ability on our diplomacy due to opposition to Islam and the Islamic Republic, the work becomes truly difficult and challenging. This diplomacy is no longer an ordinary movement in the battlefield; rather, it is like a warrior whose leg has been tied or whose path has been muddied.

In truth, our diplomatic war is a double war. You gentlemen who are in different countries, if you take a superficial look at the confrontations from the media and diplomats of that country, compared to the diplomats of other countries residing there, you will clearly perceive a constant hidden struggle with the efforts of an international organization. As long as our Islamic adherence is preserved, this struggle exists; although they may be forced to retreat in the future. This is the depiction of the difficult period of our diplomacy that we have passed.

From the work you have done, two results can be drawn: First, the good mental and political development that, thanks be to God, the diplomatic apparatus has achieved. Although, as Dr. Velayati said, you started from scratch; fortunately, today, very good and elite forces with good prominence and brilliance are found among you. This should be appreciated. Second, the political leadership and stances of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over these years have outlined the correct path of revolutionary and Islamic diplomacy. For this reason, it was always approved by the Imam and the officials. That is, if we believe in revolutionary and Islamic diplomacy for the revolutionary and Islamic society, the Islamic orientation must be preserved first and foremost, and boldness and courage in the face of threats from enemies and great powers, as well as the dominance of reason and logic over decisions and actions, should be considered. This is the correct line of diplomacy.

For many who see a contradiction between revolutionary action and logical confrontation, revolutionary action combined with a logical, precise, and calculated organization is not reconcilable. We observe that these can be combined. Revolutionary action is not that we unnecessarily protest where we should not. Revolutionary action is that we firmly and without hesitation and intimidation maintain Islamic and revolutionary positions in the face of some false hopeful faces.

When we can precisely maintain the clear line of revolutionary and Islamic positions and not be intimidated by powers and have no hesitation with anyone and not be deceived, we have truly paid attention to the revolutionary and Islamic path. Fortunately, over these eight years, this line has gradually moved towards perfection and has been preserved. Therefore, our great Imam (may his soul be sanctified)—that wise, far-sighted, insightful personality—left us with satisfaction from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the general line of diplomacy and departed from this world. We had heard his satisfaction many times.

I should also add that dear brothers! The more you emphasize adherence to Islamic principles and methods, the more successful you will be. The success of our diplomacy today, which the world, and even our opponents, acknowledge, is primarily due to your commitment and adherence. Preserve this. Especially our ambassadors in foreign missions should ensure the complete adherence to Islamic appearances and principles concerning themselves, their families, and their colleagues, and observe this in selections. Do not show any flexibility or leniency in this matter, as the integrity of your character and our diplomatic character depends on this.

Where we show strong religious adherence and belief, the enemy will feel a power in us that, because they do not understand it correctly, its awe will take root in their hearts. Such belief and power is awe; otherwise, these ordinary and apparent powers—such as money, wealth, knowledge, and weapons—are understandable and identifiable, and many have more of them than we do.

What is exceptional in us and attracts the world's attention and respect is our adherence to a divine thought and belief that we demonstrate. In its path, there is no hesitation, concession, flexibility, or compromise. Preserve this belief and adherence as much as possible, and this will be ensured with Islamic appearances and strong Islamic adherence and nothing else. Pay great attention to this. Of course, I have, thanks be to God, witnessed in many instances that these have been observed. That is, wherever we went, either we saw it up close or the observations and reports of those we sent were good; but observe it more and do not relent at all.

Our ambassador in a country should be a person who is independent, religious, free, and without the afflictions that other ambassadors and your colleagues in the place of mission have. You know well the behavior of fellow ambassadors in the place of mission. It should be perceived that our ambassador is not of their kind and is something else. Of course, in promotional encounters, they may call you reactionary and backward; but their inner judgment is something else, and in the minds of the political figures of that country, an impenetrable revolutionary character will be depicted. In any case, emphasize Islamic adherence and religious commitment as much as you can.

As for the future, I have repeatedly said that our foreign policy has not changed and will not change compared to the past. We have also stated in the past and now say that we are ready to establish healthy and uncomplicated and unforced relations with any country—except for a few exceptions that have their specific and clear reasons. The exceptional governments, like the illegitimate Zionist government, in this interaction, there is essentially no one on the other side, and what exists is illegal. A person throws the ball to catch it, and this reality, which has been realized based on a false credit, is like non-reality, and its illegal existence is null and void. South Africa and America also have the same status.

Of course, America is one of the examples and cases where we do not accept and reject relations with it. The question is until when? The answer to this question has been stated by both the Imam (may his soul be sanctified) and all those who have spoken on this matter: Until the policies based on force, oppression, pressure, hostility towards the Islamic Republic, and unconditional support for the Zionist government end. The Imam said: "Until they become human." That is, they should correct these wrong methods. Of course, we truly do not see the light of salvation on the forehead of that ship, and the clamor of relationship and negotiation is also nonsense, and no one has said it.

Of course, foreign interpretations say that in Iran, there is a gap between opponents and proponents of this issue! No, thanks be to God, our enemies are mistaken in all internal matters and misunderstand them wrongly. Of course, it is not that they misunderstand everywhere. No, sometimes they understand correctly what is going on; however, in the realm of propaganda, it is expedient to make statements about personalities and figures and currents that the very statements are important and effective for them; otherwise, their statements do not reflect their belief. Now, in this case, whether it is based on belief or—as we say in seminary—expediency in expression, it is contrary to reality and a ruse, and we reject it.

They, thanks be to God, have not correctly identified any of our internal issues. They do not correctly identify this either. In Iran, no one is inclined or inclined to negotiate and establish relations with America. These statements that are made are other statements that have nothing to do with relationship and negotiation. We are creditors to America, which must return it to us. There is no doubt that our assets are blocked there and they must unblock them and give the right to the rightful owner. Our claim from America and the blocking of our assets there have nothing to do with political relations. They must give the right to its owner.

Apart from these exceptions, we act openly in establishing relations and have no condition other than healthy relations based on mutual interests and not based on bullying and domination. Our political principle and the foundation of "Neither East, nor West" are preserved in any case. Based on this principle, our policy will not follow any pillar—neither East nor West—and this is part of our principles and foundations, and there is no doubt about this and it is not changeable. This is not a policy; rather, it is the foundation and basis of the system and does not conflict with relations. Gentlemen, move in this direction and strengthen relations based on Islamic thought and belief and path.

We hope God grants you success and paves this path for you. God willing, may our hardworking and serving brothers in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all of you who are engaged in implementing and advancing these policies around the world be granted success and support, so you can continue this great service to Islam and Muslims.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings