Statements in Meeting with Officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Heads of the Islamic Republic's Missions Abroad

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

Dear brothers and sisters! Welcome. The main topic of our discussion, given the affectionate and sincere relationship that exists between us and our foreign policy friends, is a recommendation for piety. Whatever goal you wish to pursue in foreign policy within the framework of your beliefs and faith, you need the strong fortress of piety within yourselves.

This meeting - especially with the presence of ladies; the esteemed wives of ambassadors - seems to me to be the best opportunity for us to recommend to each other the importance of piety and caution in following the straight path. It has been said many times that the field of foreign policy is the battleground of the Islamic Republic or the frontline of this challenge with the external world. In this frontline, firmness, stability of step, self-confidence, and assurance in the path you are following are the most important conditions. Our ambassadors' wives can play a role in this regard; I earnestly request this from the dear ladies. Men in the field of politics, in the arena of various frictions, face different events and experience various impacts, and their wives, while they can show significant and worthy roles in any arena, also have the important role of supporting and preserving their husbands who are engaged in struggle and jihad on this frontline. There exists a connected community that advises each other to truth and patience within the Muslim family; thus, the Quran states: "Protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones"; protect yourselves and your families. This address is to both men and women. The family of each person consists of their family and close ones. Your wife is your family, and your husband is your family. Protect yourselves from falling into the Fire, and protect your families. Furthermore, preserving the main elements within the family unit also helps in preserving the individual themselves. Wives; women can save men from the edge of the abyss of Hell and lead them to Paradise. I consider your presence here, ladies, as an opportunity to convey these valuable points and words.

We say all these things; they are not specifically for you, who are the agents of foreign policy; however, I present these matters to you specifically; because you, as you are in our minds, are in the diplomacy of the country; you are on the frontline, and various cultures, words, and daily currents exist in your lives; you must grapple with these to fulfill the great duty that is upon you.

What truly holds value for me and you is the fulfillment of duty. We traverse this fleeting path of life regardless, and we reach the gate of entry into another world; we are not meant to stay here. The moment of death is the moment of beginning to be questioned and held accountable. From that very first moment, we will be asked: What did you do, why did you do it, how did you do it? We must have answers. The importance of faith and piety lies here; because the pleasures of life are a concern for all human beings; these are the pitfalls for humans on the straight path; one must be cautious. It is not the case that we think some people understand pleasure - the pleasure of money, the pleasure of power, the pleasure of desires, the pleasure of social standing, the pleasure of reputation and title - while others do not. These pleasures are a concern for humans, and they are the means of our trial. We must traverse a path; we have drawn a line based on belief and faith that we must pass through safely; we must be careful that the pitfalls along this path do not cause us to stumble; do not divert us from our path and do not place us, who in heart and feeling are supporters of the truth, in opposition to the truth in action.

Look at history and the ugly faces and wrongdoers of it; they were also human. No one is born bad; however, one must be cautious that deviations do not arise in our straight line. My important recommendation to you is this: Foreign policy issues - whether general issues or specific and detailed foreign policy issues - can be resolved through discussion, intervention, reasoning, and dialogue; however, what is unsolvable if we do not decide ourselves is this matter: If we do not strengthen our inner selves, if we do not solidify the foundations of piety in our hearts and souls and consequently in our actions, whatever belief we hold, whatever policy we accept, we will not be able to realize it correctly. Sometimes this internal deviation alters our perspective on issues; it changes our faith and belief. In any case, lack of caution in action seeps into belief, which is the essence of numerous verses of the Holy Quran. The Quran warns those who are worldly and pleasure-seeking and who submit to desires and whims - of any kind - to be cautious; for this state will infiltrate your heart, thought, mind, and faith, and one must seek refuge in God and ask for His help.

Perhaps some of the children of esteemed ambassadors are also present in this meeting; preserve the youth with their pure feelings, with their bright and radiant hearts. The best guarantee for protecting children from the various afflictions that exist today in the path of youth is to strengthen their religiosity and faith. Let not our behavior, speech, manner of action, expression of opinion, and indifference lead the youth towards disbelief and the destruction of their inner beliefs and disconnection from that faith which is protective; this is our most important message to you.

You have taken on this commitment abroad and have assumed this duty and mission to defend the Islamic Republic and its progress, interests, and benefits with seriousness and all your being; this is a very significant task that requires strong believers. Therefore, strengthen your faith and the actions that stem from it as much as you can, and as I said, do not limit it to yourselves; "Protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones."

In the realm of foreign policy, aside from the events and developments that have occurred both in the world - in the public arena of the world - and in the region - around us - which of course require fresh thoughts and perspectives moment by moment, the principles of our foreign policy remain the same and there is no difference or change in the foundations and overarching goals of our foreign policy. We are pursuing the same goal that we have followed since the beginning of the revolution in foreign policy, and we are still pursuing that goal. Of course, our diplomatic capacities are naturally strengthened; experience, maturity, and expertise increase; we find new paths and new tactical goals, and based on that, we either find or create tools and act; there is no doubt about that; there is no stagnation; however, the strategic goals and the overall framework of our foreign policy today, twenty-five years after the revolution, have not changed from the very first hour of the revolution; this is the fundamental and essential point that must exist in the minds of all our foreign policy officials.

The principles of our foreign policy are inseparable from the principles of our revolution. We did not undertake a small task; we have created a new, profound, and enduring phenomenon, which is the Islamic revolution and the establishment of the Islamic Republic. Whether we have formulated our foreign policy principles at the beginning of the revolution or not, the very act of creating this movement and new phenomenon has clarified our obligations in foreign policy issues. Just as we dismantled the system of domination within our country with the revolution, we dismantled the political and social master-servant system; our perspective on global issues is the same; we oppose the master-servant system on a global scale; we oppose the system of domination. The foundation of our foreign policy is that we establish this idea of opposition to domination and subjugation as a solid pillar in the international political space among governments and nations. Today, the unilateralism and monopoly of American superpower is raised and repeated, which is certainly a completely negative subject; however, if there is no unilateralism and superpower is not limited to America - just as it was when America and the Soviet Union were superpowers - we still oppose the system of domination. We opposed it then, and we oppose it now; this is the policy of the Islamic Republic. We reject the relationships that arise from the system of domination in international politics; we do not accept them. We also prevent ourselves from entering the system of domination in our identity and character as the Islamic Republic and do not allow domination to arise over us, nor do we wish to be dominators ourselves. We promote and reflect this thought in the world and act based on it; this is the foundation of our policy.

In the preamble of our constitution, the defense of Muslims and the oppressed is explicitly mentioned; we consider the defense of Muslims and the defense of the oppressed nation as part of our fundamental policies and do not deviate from it. The strength and depth of thought in defending an oppressed nation in our policy is far greater than the depth of the policy of defending Zionism in the political structure of a state like America. They, as part of their political principles - albeit with differences - defend the government, regime, and occupation of Zionism; they do not abandon this; however, this is not based on any ultimate intellectual or ideological foundation; but the defense of the oppressed nation of Palestine or the defense of any other oppressed nation or opposition to occupation and military domination has much more depth in our policy and practical program; however, how much we can or cannot do, and how much opportunity and capacity we have to advance it, is a second discussion. The reality of that discussion cannot change this truth in our thinking and perspective on foreign policy. We may find and utilize short-term and tactical goals in certain cases, which depends on how much capability, intelligence, skill, and speed we can exert; however, this issue cannot change our fundamental perspective and policy regarding global issues and the public scene of international relations. We are supporters of Islam and supporters of Muslims and supporters of Islamic awakening, and we oppose the exploitation of the resources of oppressed nations by exploitative powers; we oppose colonialism and exploitation, and this opposition is not merely in words; it is our belief, and the framework of our foreign policy is the same, and this - as I said - is based on the thought of the Islamic Republic.

The Islamic Republic has not been a small phenomenon, and to this day, no phenomenon more magnificent, profound, and enduring than the establishment of the Islamic Republic has emerged. Look at history before it and see if there was anything; however, in our time, we are the deepest, most important, most enduring, and most authentic phenomenon in the realm of global interaction and international relations and human life on a global scale. We have accomplished a great task, which has not been achieved without effort and struggle; we have sacrificed martyrs, shed blood, and have always observed the emotions and feelings of a nation behind this movement - which still exists today - and we have defended ourselves; a heartfelt defense. It has not been the case that we have walked on a paved road.

The enmity of superpowers with us is not a matter of today or yesterday; it has existed since the beginning of this phenomenon, and the reason is clear; because this phenomenon is outside the system and framework that the dominating powers have determined. Although the dominating powers of that day were two, the Islamic Republic was also outside the framework that was agreed upon but unwritten by them; thus, both opposed us. You know this, and some of you have been in the war and know what happened to us during the eight-year war, before it, and after it, until today. You know that the system of domination in the world has not accommodated us for a single hour. Of course, this enmity has not led to our weakness, destruction, or regression; rather, we have become stronger day by day; this is a reality. Today, our economy is ahead of twenty years ago, our political experience is greater, and the stability of our system is stronger; I do not say this; our enemies explicitly say it. In the same ninety-page report by Brzezinski and Robert Gates - which you must have seen and heard - it is stated that the Islamic Republic is very stable. This report, addressed to the current American statesmen, tells them: The Islamic Republic is not as you think; rather, it is strong, stable, and steadfast; do not think that a crisis will seize it today or tomorrow; no. This is the testimony of those who are our enemies. Brzezinski, the one who designed the attack on Tabas, and Robert Gates, who was the former head of the CIA during Bush Sr.'s time. Today, our enemies confess to our stability. We rely on the people.

Our achievements within the country are vast. I do not want to claim that it could not have been better; no. If someone better than me had been in charge, it could have been better; if a government stronger than the current government or previous governments had been in charge, there is no doubt that the situation would have been better; however, what has happened is this progress. We have made progress in various fields; in science, in social issues, and in deepening Islamic and religious culture. In deepening Islamic culture, I must say that today those who have understood and accepted this thought from the bottom of their hearts and are ready to struggle for it are more than at the beginning of the revolution. Of course, at that time, emotions were more abundant and concentrated; there is no doubt about that. Some expressed faith, which later turned out that their faith was not deep and was based on emotions. Subsequent events showed that some of the apparent faiths and the bulging neck veins in defense of certain values at that time were not based on deep and foundational thought; a foundation that can be destroyed by a breeze is not a foundation. Today, we have many young men and women who have accepted this thought from the bottom of their hearts, recognized it, and understood it. If we take the elite as a criterion, today in the realm of elites, the number of believers and committed individuals with a foundation is greater than at the very beginning. In military matters, we have made clear advancements, and in the realm of political diplomacy in the world, we have also made good progress, and our bargaining power and ability to speak have improved. Of course, we have shortcomings that we must address; we must work. I do not wish to exaggerate our situation, nor do I wish to deny the realities and truths that are evident and scientifically proven. We have also been successful beyond our borders. Thanks to the movement of the Islamic revolution, a phenomenon called Islamic awakening has emerged, which is undeniable.

Today, Islamic awakening exists in all Islamic countries; although it varies in intensity. Islamic awakening does not mean that all nations and all individuals participating in this awakening have logically and rationally recognized the ideological foundations of an Islamic system; rather, it means that a sense of Islamic identity has emerged among the masses of Muslims everywhere.

You see that the Americans have repeatedly said a famous phrase regarding various issues, which is that if we hold elections in these Islamic countries, especially Arab countries, the Islamists will definitely win; and they are right; this is true. Today, in Iraq, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Morocco, and elsewhere, if free elections were to be held anywhere and Islamic thinkers and elites were given the opportunity to come to the scene, they would win. We did not have this phenomenon twenty years ago. This phenomenon has emerged thanks to the Islamic revolution and our steadfastness; we have stood firm. We have not fallen to our knees; we have not bent. Now this has become a science, a criterion. Many of the hostilities are due to this issue. Of course, every success has its costs. The fear of nations from America and superpowers has diminished. Did you ever imagine that in the crushed Iraq under the weight of Saddam's tyranny and the Ba'ath Party, such feelings and resistances would exist?! Before this, did you guess that the Palestinian nation would stand up against Sharon's government, which came to power to end the intifada of Al-Aqsa Mosque within ninety days - and now it has been over three years that he has been in power - and resist in such a way that this Sharon, who came to destroy and erase this movement, is now forced to retreat unilaterally from Gaza with his rivals - who are his opposing party - and separate from his traditional and old allies, the Likud Party, out of necessity and compulsion?! This is the power of the Palestinian people and the power of Islamic awakening. Did you believe that the Israeli occupier would be forced to retreat in disgrace against a few hundred young Hezbollah members in Lebanon?! Did you believe that Israel would be compelled to release several hundred prisoners - prominent figures of Hezbollah who were in its prison - in front of a number of young Hezbollah members?! These events occurred. Last year, you and I were sitting in this very meeting; anxiety prevailed throughout the region; because America had just arrived; with fresh breath. I followed your discussions in last year's seminar; signs of concern were evident in your seminar. Today, this America is the same America; see what situation it is in. They pressured Najaf for ten days and could not take it; these are realities happening before our eyes; the political and cognitive geometry of the world has changed.

Once it was thought and advertised that all paths to progress and civilization end in liberal democracy, especially in its American form; however, today this is not the case. Today, many nations completely oppose this issue, and of course, some are doubtful. Today, despite the increasing military and financial power of America, it is in the depths of political defeat and is isolated in the world. Never has hatred of America been as prevalent in the world as it is today. There is no distinction between East and West; Asia, Europe, and Africa are all the same. This is acknowledged by the Americans themselves, and this is not my statement. They themselves admit that it is not possible to dominate the world by force. Brzezinski recently wrote a book called "Domination or Leadership." In this book, he states that domination by force and authority over the world for America equals increasing isolation in the world; he is right; it will become increasingly isolated day by day, and this isolation will also destroy that domination. Of course, the alternative to this issue is that we do not dominate but rather interact; we should act with good ethics so that we can lead the world. Now, they are dreaming sweetly, and American fundamentalism has inspired them that they must be the leaders of the world and impose their values on the world.

We have absolutely not used and will not use operational tools in the sense of terrorism and actions of this kind; this is not in our program. No new events are supposed to occur in Iran. The event that must occur has already occurred. That event was the revolution; all actions took shape there. This seed was planted there and is growing day by day, and today it is a twenty-five-year-old young man who is advancing his work in front of the dinosaurs of world politics; we have no problem in this regard.

We defend Islam. But what do we mean by Islam? Our Islam is fundamentally different from the rigid Islam on one side and liberal Islam on the other. We reject both. Our Islam is based on spirituality, rationality, and justice; these three major indicators exist in it. We do not disregard spirituality in any way; the spirit and essence of our work is spirituality. Rationality is our most important tool; we utilize reason. Just as we have repeatedly stated in the principles of foreign policy, wisdom is one of our three principles, alongside expediency. We act wisely and prudently. This is not specific to our foreign policy; rather, it applies to all areas. Our Islam is rational Islam. Reason has a very wide application in our understanding, identifying our goals, and determining our tools. We do not disregard justice as a goal in any way. The notion that because the capitalist world based on liberal democracy considers justice a secondary and instrumental issue, while their main issue is profit and money, does not mean that we will disregard justice as a central and primary issue. In our economic frameworks and in the functioning of our domestic and foreign policies, the issue of justice is central. This is our Islam: Islam of spirituality, rationality, and justice. We are not satisfied with the name of Islam that promotes liberal Islam to propagate Western and American values and to use their methods and to align with them in various sectors and perhaps even recite the supplication of Nadba. We do not accept the rigid Taliban Islam either. Not that we do not accept it now; we have never accepted it since the beginning of the movement. Among you, there are those who have more experience and remember the Islamic movements before the revolution and understand what I am saying. From the very beginning, the movement was an intellectual and rational movement and opposed rigidity. Today, this approach has been strengthened day by day in our Islamic thought and has not been weakened. We have chosen our straight path between these two and are moving forward. Therefore, this is the foundation of our work, and our diplomacy is based on these foundations, and we seek such an Islam. We seek the strengthening of the Islamic Republic and the awakening of Islam, and we want to realize our goals and will not allow anyone to dissolve us in the prevailing global equations and erase our identity and individuality.

We must calculate the global equations. I do not agree with those who believe that the prevailing equations of the world must be completely set aside; nor do I agree with those who believe that we must work entirely within the framework of these equations. These equations are not indivisible. New elements can be introduced into them, and elements can also be ignored and eliminated. This will, of course, provoke opposition; let it provoke. We are a living entity; we strive, we work, and we use our tools and prove that this path is correct and we pursue it. For this work, we must utilize all capacities. This is in the context of the fundamental principles of our foreign policy, which you, dear brothers and sisters, and the officials and agents of foreign policy should keep in mind.

Your backing is Islam; know this. Some say we want to preserve Islam; no, our Islam preserves us. Your backing is this faith and this global Islamic movement. The global Islamic movement is not a person who can be assassinated, nor an organization that can be dissolved, nor a government that can be isolated; rather, it is a cultural, popular, and public phenomenon. We must take care of it and be vigilant. The mere declaration of Islamic positions in the Islamic world increases our credibility and is an advantage for us and indicates our strategic depth and assists us. Never compromise on these foundations; never compromise in your statements.

In foreign policy, the goal, tactical tools, and political considerations are acceptable in certain places; however, misrepresenting fundamental goals is absolutely unacceptable; our fundamental goals must be clearly known to all. Sometimes it is necessary for a person to announce it loudly, and sometimes, in a situation, it is not announced loudly; however, it should not be denied; everyone must know that we are on this path and in this line. Of course, there are times when it is not necessary to make an issue controversial.

Western propaganda - mainly by Americans and Zionists - equates the global Islamic movement with terrorism. This is one of those statements that no longer holds any color or credibility in the world; it has no reputation. Everyone in the Islamic world - which is our area of discussion - and even Western elites know that this is not the case. The general movement and public inclination of people towards religious thoughts have nothing to do with terrorism and any group or individual that they label with a black mark and stick to the forehead of this or that. This trick that Western propaganda pursues is no longer effective today.

Foreign policy officials, based on the work assigned to them, must utilize all their capacity and capability to advance their goals. The field of foreign policy is a very vast and demanding arena. It should not be the case that if we show weakness in an issue or in a region and this weakness creates an adverse effect for us, we attribute it to our thoughts, ideals, and principles; no, rather, we should attribute it to our own weakness, which is the reality in all cases.

In the realm of foreign policy, a strong discipline must prevail. I say this to you, esteemed ambassadors, and also to the officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; this field is likened to a battlefield - which it truly is. In war, military discipline is very strong and robust. In the battlefield, it is not the case that the commander of a battalion or the commander of a brigade changes their mind and says it is not expedient for us to attack this side, turns back, and points their cannon in that direction! Now, if you consider the analogy of the foreign policy field to a battlefield to be exaggerated, at least you must say that it is a field of competition; like a sports field and a football ground. In the football field, the head of a team does not allow the players to change their tactics. The tactics are specified; one can, one cannot. Opinions are, of course, free. One of the team members may think that this tactic is entirely wrong or that this part is wrong; however, once the game tactics are specified, that person no longer has the right to be present where they should be, to be absent where they should not be, to not pass where they should pass, and to not shoot where they should shoot. The foreign policy field is such a scene. It is unacceptable that if I am a foreign policy official of the Islamic Republic in a certain place and my belief is that this policy of the system is wrong, I act according to my own belief; no, this leads to the failure of the entire game. We can say that we do not accept this policy and convince the policymakers. If they are not convinced, we have the option of choosing one of two paths; either we say we will no longer work in that group, or we say we will work and accept its policy. This is the discipline of foreign policy; all brothers in the field and all brothers in the headquarters should know this.

I believe that good, sincere, and dedicated efforts are being made in our foreign policy apparatus. I do not say that I see or read all the reports that come from you; however, I see the main points and think about them and sometimes study them; I exchange views. You can fully monitor environmental changes; reflect possible capacities, possible opportunities, and threats; you must do so. However, it should not be the case that only threats are reflected; some only reflect threats, which results in - I do not say that their intention is this - intimidating higher officials; if they can be intimidated.

We have needs in the foreign policy scene that are absolutely not to be overlooked. I have repeatedly - since the time of the presidency - told the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and reiterated that we must have an active presence in bilateral communications, regional communications, and in international forums, and we must not underestimate any international forum of which we are a member. The notion that we become despondent and say it is of no use, they do not listen; is wrong. Everything has its benefits; all efforts have their benefits. Even a grain of barley that you account for has a weight that is decisive at a certain point. You must have heard of the concept of the grain that engineers and mathematicians have discussed since ancient times. This issue is centuries old. They used to say that a ship with this weight of barley sinks; however, until you throw that last grain, the ship does not sink. Ultimately, this grain is decisive somewhere. If this solid column is to collapse with a hundred blows, apparently the first blow has no effect; however, after you strike that first blow, this column will collapse with ninety-nine more blows, not with a hundred; meaning that the first blow has made its impact. When you strike the second blow, this column will collapse with ninety-eight more blows; meaning that it has made its impact. Therefore, nothing is ineffective. The notion that we remain inactive and bewildered in the field thinking that it is of no use is sheer naivety; this is losing the most important opportunities. Why is it of no use?!

We must strive to recognize our power components and adopt the fundamental position of the Islamic Republic as an offensive position on many global issues. We can have an offensive position on several issues:

In the matter of human rights, our position is not a defensive one; our position is offensive. Let us mourn here that human rights have been violated in the Islamic Republic; because the Americans and Zionists and the media have said so! Is this correct?! You have an offensive position on this issue. Now, let your hands rest on each other and lament that a representative in a certain place has said that you should pay more attention to your human rights! Is this a statement?!

In the matter of women, your position is not defensive; it is offensive. Their objection to us is why your women wear hijab; why is hijab compulsory. They themselves have made nudity compulsory; this is tit for tat! However, their issue regarding women is much more than this. Women in Western culture have been degraded, humiliated, and insulted. The fact that women and men sit side by side at the diplomatic table does not compensate for the damage that the West has inflicted on women. They have used women as a means of pleasure and lust. They believe that a woman without makeup has no value; she must adorn herself so that men will like her; this is the greatest insult to women. You have a voice and a claim in these matters.

In the matter of weapons of mass destruction, you must be assertive; you must be offensive. You should highlight those who have used chemical weapons themselves and have also provided them to Saddam; not just say it once; no, these issues must be pursued and expressed in forums. The fact that a certain power dislikes this should not prevent us from maintaining this offensive position. Bring these issues up in negotiations at various levels.

Here, I want to also mention the issue of nuclear energy in light of the matter of weapons of mass destruction. The argument that is being made by the West today regarding the issue of the fuel cycle and enrichment is this: You must assure the world that you do not want to pursue a nuclear bomb. Now, they themselves - in my opinion, what one understands from the signs - know that we are not pursuing a nuclear bomb and nuclear weapons; however, in the context of discussion and negotiation, they make statements, but the only statement that is acceptable is that we must provide assurances. We have also said that we have no objections and we will provide assurances. The interaction we have had with the nuclear agency since last year has been based on this; however, assurances must be made through reasonable means. It is not logical to tell someone to hang themselves so that I can be assured that you have no ill intentions towards me! This is not logical. You should completely abandon this technology and this technology and deprive yourself and your future generations of it and buy the curse and malediction of them for this contract worse than the Treaty of Turkmenchay, so that I can be assured; is this logical?! No; it is not logical. Of course, the friends who are engaged in activity and negotiation have negotiated well. I have looked at the recent negotiations in Paris, which took place about a month ago; they adopted good positions and defended well and spoke strongly and logically. Our issue is this: We want to have this technology. We have acquired this technology. The West is playing a game; this is the essence of the matter. One day they said you want to make a nuclear bomb; now the same uproar that they may raise for making a nuclear bomb, they are now raising for the fact that you want to make a part! They say because you want to make parts for centrifuges, this part-making is against such and such a contract; while it is against no contract, and we have made no commitments. Of course, a bilateral commitment was made at the negotiation levels - not at the high decision-making levels - which the officials accepted. They did not fulfill their commitments, and we did not fulfill our commitments either; and that was not for eternity. When have we promised anyone that we will never make parts, never assemble centrifuges, or never carry out gas injection? We have a logical argument, and our position is a correct one; we stand firm on this position. Justifying, reasoning, and explaining this issue to the elites is the responsibility of our foreign policy apparatus, which is being done to some extent and must be done more widely. I have also advised Mr. Khatami and have sent messages to the friends in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that this issue must be explained; because in this case, public opinion and elites will fully accept this argument; it is not the case that we think all the elites of the world and politicians are against us; no, they must understand. We must strive and pursue our work; because if we retreat from this position today, they will no longer recognize any limit for advancing, and it will gradually reach a point where we can no longer even mention nuclear technology; they will go that far.

And now, returning to the same offensive issues. Another of those matters is that we can have an offensive position in the matter of combating terrorism and the issue of minority rights. If you compare the status of religious minorities in our country with the status of religious minorities in some European countries that claim to be very tolerant and lenient, you will see that we are far ahead of them; we are much better than them.

The other issue, which is the most important of all, is the issue of combating domination. Domination is condemned by all healthy human beings. Oppose domination; this is your fundamental position. You must ask and inquire: Why does the dominating section of the world want to impose itself on the entire world? This issue must also be part of your offensive matters.

The issue of equal sovereignty of states, the issue of combating occupation and military presence is also among the matters where your positions must be entirely offensive.

You must utilize all available resources. Media resources are very important, and certainly, one of the fundamental bases of diplomacy is media. A strong interaction between you and the media of the country, the international networks we have, is necessary. Moreover, the ambassador himself is a media; you can explain the positions of the Islamic Republic.

Regarding Iraq, I have a detailed discussion in my mind, which unfortunately there is no time now; the call to prayer has been made. In summary, I must say that our situation regarding Iraq is much better than a year ago. Of course, the Americans, first of all, and then some others would like Iran to make no use of its capacity and possibility in Iraq. We are of the same faith and denomination as the Iraqis, and our traditions are the same; our hearts are close to each other. You saw what the people of Iran did on Friday - the day before yesterday. Despite the fact that there was not much propaganda, the people came out to the streets like this; this is in defense of the same nation that has been at war with us for eight years. Our connection with the Iraqi nation is so strong. We are related to the Iraqi nation; we have connections; they know our language, we know their language; our habits are the same, our culture is the same, and we have seven hundred to eight hundred kilometers of common border with each other. These issues naturally and necessarily make our presence in Iraq. Our relations with tribes, with university professors, with youth, and with clerics are good; our relations with the religious authorities are cordial. No other nation in the world has this much capacity for communication and connection with the Iraqis; but we do. They want us to refrain from all these and submit to them. Refrain from this really? Why? With what logic and what reason? No; we will not refrain. Day by day, thanks be to God, our position in Iraq is improving; however, conversely, the Americans are getting worse day by day. Last year at this time, they were not as troubled as they are this year. Now, the fact that they are not called occupiers today legally, while they were called occupiers yesterday, is just talk. Occupation is occupation. Occupation means military presence, control over all aspects and affairs in a country; occupation has no branches or tails. They have one hundred forty to fifty thousand forces there, and they say this is not under our occupation! So what is occupation?! We want to help the Iraqi government; that is, we want a popular government to come to power. This current government also has the main duty to prepare the conditions for that. In fulfilling this duty, we have no problem with this government. Of course, we have said, and we will say again: The more they distance themselves from the Americans, the more successful they will be, the more popular they will be, and the more friends they will find; they should know this; if they can, of course. We do not want to impose unbearable obligations on anyone. If they want to be influential and advance the issues of Iraq, they must distance themselves from the Americans.

It has become very lengthy. God willing, may the Almighty God be pleased with what we have said and give effect to what we have said. May God be your support and refuge; may He help all of you, ladies, gentlemen, and youth, so that you can be happy and proud at the end of this mission period - after all, every task has its period - that you have fulfilled your duties and have pleased God with your actions.

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