Statements of His Eminence in a Meeting with Various Segments of the People and a Group of Freed Prisoners, Disabled Veterans, and Families of Martyrs

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

I welcome all of you dear ones who have come from far and wide, taking the trouble to visit and honor me with your presence. We hope that the Almighty God does not separate us from you righteous youth, you Basijis, and you self-sacrificers in this world and the Hereafter.

These days, one of the great memories of the history of the Revolution, indeed the history of the country of Iran, has taken shape, and that memory is the triumphant return of our proud freed prisoners. It is my belief that every single person in the Iranian nation should constantly keep this memory and similar memories in their minds. The matter of the return of the Iranian prisoners—who have rightly been given the title of "freed"—was a divine incident. It was the hand of God's power that shaped this event, and the steadfastness and resistance of our proud freed prisoners during the long years of captivity in the hands of the enemy brought honor and pride to the Iranian nation. Of course, the reward for these hardships and difficulties can only be given by thanking the Almighty God. We are not worthy of thanking the freed prisoners and self-sacrificers. Their reward is with God; however, at the same time, the entire Iranian nation everywhere in the country must not forget these sacrifices for a moment.

My dear ones! There is a fundamental point that everyone must keep in mind. If a country wants to live freely and independently, without dependence on and subjugation to the oppressive powers of the world, it needs steadfastness. In critical times for a nation, who demonstrates steadfastness? The best, most self-sacrificing, purest, and most sincere children of a nation. These are the ones who, in times of hardship, show self-sacrifice and demonstrate steadfastness, defending the honor of their country and their national identity. Who are these in the country and in the Islamic Republic system? They are the same self-sacrificing youth who, during the imposed war and before it, were able to stand in the battlefields against the enemy; that is, our precious martyrs, our dear disabled veterans, our proud freed prisoners, the families of these individuals, those who are still missing—given that we have missing persons within foreign territory—all those who have shown resilience in these paths; that is, the Basijis, the military personnel, the Guardians, the faithful and Hezbollah forces of the country. The true power of the country belongs to them. The capability of the country arises from them. Any country and nation that has such youth cannot be bullied by any global power; it cannot be brought under control; its situation cannot be manipulated. In fact, such a country and nation will be proud.

The entire Iranian nation has the duty to sincerely and verbally express gratitude to the self-sacrificing and devoted elements. We are all under the burden of the gratitude owed to these self-sacrificers. Of course, the Westernized individuals and those enamored with foreign masters, and those who dream of the era of tyrannical rule and wish to play the game of friendship with America and, like the puppet countries, distance themselves from the name of Islam and the flag of Islam, are fortunately rejected and despised by the people in our society. They try to belittle the names of the Guardians, the military, the Basijis, the disabled veterans, the martyrs, the freed prisoners, and the self-sacrificers. When the discussion is about the self-sacrificers, their faces contort. When the discussion is about the families of martyrs, or about the Basij forces, or about the faithful Hezbollah forces—who are the general populace of the Iranian nation—they grimace. While it is these forces that have preserved Iran. Even now, it is these forces that are safeguarding it. Even now, in every front and in every part, if a danger threatens this country, it is those who are ready to step into the field, show self-sacrifice, and demonstrate selflessness, who possess a spirit of faith and a spirit of sacrifice. Self-centered, opportunistic individuals who see nothing but their personal interests throughout their lives do not defend a country; they do not defend the interests of the nation. When war breaks out, they are absent; when danger arises, they are absent; when there is no danger, their tongues are long: "I will strike you with sharp tongues."

Whoever saves this country at all stages, supports the government, supports the officials, supports the Revolution, protects the name of Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified), and safeguards the values of the Revolution, is ready to stand in times of danger; that is, these faithful youth, these Hezbollah forces, these Basijis; these are the ones who proved themselves in the eight-year war. National power belongs to them. Today, thanks be to God, throughout our country, the complete dominance is with the faithful forces who are interested in Islam, interested in the Revolution, interested in the Imam, interested in the path of the Islamic Republic, and hostile to America and the various devils who have set their greedy eyes on this land.

These enemies who sit outside the borders and think they are dreaming sweet dreams for this nation do not see the great essence of the people and, as always, make mistakes in their analyses. Therefore, as always, God willing, they will receive a slap in the face. For this reason, I am not worried about the internal situation of our country. Sometimes, some people refer to me, presenting a written or spoken concern; however, I am not worried. I know that this nation is alive. I know that this nation is a faithful nation. I know that our youth have the blood of love for Islam and the Imam flowing in their veins, and their hearts beat in remembrance of the Imam and Islam. Our nation is a vigilant and faithful nation.

The Americans and American, Zionist, and Western analysts have repeatedly made mistakes in this country because they did not see the essence of the nation. When they see four eloquent individuals who claim to have gained a position here and there and find a niche and a trumpet to speak, they think the nation is made up of these individuals! While the nation is the same great nation that destroyed America's plan for infiltration in Iran and expelled the disgraceful and corrupt Pahlavi dynasty from the country. This nation is the same nation. This nation is the same nation that for eight years, all the powers of the world joined hands to defend against its attacking enemy, hoping to bring it to its knees; but they could not. This is the same nation; this is the same Islam; this is the same Revolution. Those who dreamt sweet dreams that the Revolution was over should go and interpret their dreams with their own satisfaction; however, the reality is the reality of this nation. For this reason, I, with the presence of you faithful youth and faithful people and faithful families throughout the country, thanks be to God, am not worried about the internal situation.

Of course, there are also ill-hearted individuals; those whose hearts have been with the Americans since the beginning of the Revolution. They sat at the table of the Imam and the Revolution, and some even occupied sensitive positions; however, their hearts were with America. Imam, with the support of this nation, cut off their hands. Their hands have been cut off, but they themselves are not dead; they are lurking here and there and sometimes think that this nation is dead! Their mistake is this. They think this nation is dead; they raise their voices, lift their heads, make ugly faces; then, out of fear, they sit back down! Power belongs to this nation. The government belongs to this nation. The President is from this nation. The ministers and officials of the country are from this nation. The Parliament belongs to this nation. The judiciary belongs to this nation. This nation is a powerful and faithful nation; they are foreign-worshippers and resemble foreigners. The affairs of the country cannot be accounted for with those foreigners.

What I expect from you youth, and I want all of you to earnestly not forget this, is to be present in the scene and not lose hope. Know that today the enemy, with all this expensive propaganda it conducts against the Islamic Republic—America's radio, newspapers, magazines, the Zionists, and so on—is doing so to discourage you from your future. It is to convey to the youth that the Islamic future in this country is not lasting and that nothing can be done. They do not understand that they depicted a situation worse than this nineteen years ago, and this nation, with its steadfastness, its power, its direct movement, and with the leadership of Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified), was able to overcome all these obstacles. Today, we are a dear nation, a powerful nation, a dignified nation in the world; we are doing our work, we are building, we are innovating, and we are relying less and less on outside borders; we are making maximum use of our internal resources, our human resources, and our scientific power. In the past, our universities and centers relied scientifically on forces that were not committed to Islam; however, today thousands of faithful, interested, knowledgeable, and scholarly forces have been nurtured in our country. We have made progress; by the grace and power of God, we will continue to progress more and more.

The Americans should know that with all these commotions and mischiefs and the wickedness they have caused in our eastern neighboring country—Afghanistan—they will not get anywhere. Of course, I am very saddened for the people of Afghanistan. It is a pity for this nation; it is a pity for this country of Afghanistan to fall into the hands of a bunch of ignorant individuals who do not know their own interests, do not know Islam, do not understand politics, and do not comprehend the plots and deceptions of foreigners and tyrants; they treat everything as a plaything. The blood of so many Muslims is being shed in Afghanistan. Truly, I am very saddened and distressed by the situation in Afghanistan. I hope that the Almighty God will bestow His grace and save this nation, which was able to stand against the Soviets, from the hands of the ignorant and naive.

Foreigners are interfering in Afghanistan; some neighboring countries are unfortunately also intervening and think it is for their benefit. While if the actions they want to take are carried out—which is very unlikely—they will be the first country and government to suffer damage! They themselves will suffer the most; however, they do not understand this. This is our experience in such matters.

Many people are lost. I heard that the "Bamiyan" region, where a bunch of oppressed and faithful Muslims reside, is being bombed; because it is not under their influence! These are actions that Islam detests; the Islamic Ummah is disgusted by these actions. The nation of Afghanistan is a Muslim nation; in resisting against the oppressive and tyrannical individuals, it is a rooted and historical nation. Those who are committing these wrongful acts today cannot achieve anything. They will certainly be struck and will suffer losses. In any case, those who are doing these things in Afghanistan should know that behind their actions are the hands of foreign exploiters, including America and others. Some non-American countries—colonizers who have had interests in this region for a long time—also exist. What sin has the nation committed that a group of ignorant individuals become playthings in the hands of foreigners and turn against it? That country does not have a strong and stable center that can save them in such places. Of course, we consider the detention of our employees in the city of "Mazar-i-Sharif" to be a very ugly act. It is in their best interest to quickly rectify this ugly act and respectfully return them to their country; because the nation and government of Iran do not tolerate mischief and wickedness even from America; let alone from these worthless and insignificant individuals.

We hope that the Almighty God awakens the Islamic Ummah; makes them correctly recognize the enemies, so that they do not fall for the deceptions of the enemies and can understand their own interests; just as, thanks be to God, the dear and great nation of Iran has walked this path and will continue to do so with power and steadfastness.

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