Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Revolution at the Gathering of the People of Gilan West

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

Thanks be to God, Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings be upon our master and prophet, Abu al-Qasim al-Mustafa Muhammad, and upon his pure and chosen descendants, the infallible guides, especially the Awaited One of God on earth.

I am very grateful to the Almighty God for granting us the opportunity to once again visit this resilient city and its proud and dear people. Truly, during the Sacred Defense era, this city passed a great test. The dear youth who today live in the Gilan West region should take pride in the fact that their fathers, mothers, and ancestors demonstrated such greatness and glory during a very difficult time. I visited Gilan West several times during those days; both in the city itself and in the heights near this city - the area of the Bar Aftab mountains and the locations of our forces - and I witnessed the solitude of the defending forces in this region; yet, despite all this solitude, the signs of bravery and valor of these people were also evident. A city that was threatened not only by bombardment but also by ground invasion was able to stand firm, resist, and not evacuate the city. This is a very great remembrance of that difficult era, and it truly deserves pride.

Some of you dear youth were not present during the war; some were very young children. I do not wish to say that our youth should take pride in the work of their fathers and ancestors - although there is a place for pride and honor - I want to emphasize that today’s youth should know that they have been nurtured in such an environment, in such a region, with such families.

It is true that today we are not defending geographical borders; the era of armed defense of the country is not currently at hand, but the defense of the borders of national identity is indeed relevant; the defense of the borders of religious and Islamic personality is indeed relevant; the defense of the borders of belief is indeed relevant; these exist. We are all responsible. Today’s youth, if they were not present in that era to stand against the enemy and prevent its invasion and defend their homes and cities, can today play a role in the field of honor and pride in defending national identity, national dignity, national identity, and the firm belief of Islam. Young girls and boys, believing women and men, in this sensitive defensive region today, can all play a role. This spirit must be preserved. The officials of this region must pay attention to the fact that such a valuable human, spiritual, and moral foundation exists in this region; just as there are material foundations.

I said in Kermanshah, and I say to you as well; this region is a promising area; in terms of water, soil, climate, and various aspects, there are untapped potentials; and just as your esteemed Friday prayer leader said, and he was right - and I was pleased that the Friday prayer leader understands and follows the needs of the people, the needs of the city - the unemployment rate is high, and in addition to that, the consequences of unemployment, such as addiction, exist in this region.

I want to express my expectations from the youth. Dear youth! Fight against the emergence and spread of addiction in your society; fight against the infiltration of corrupting cultures in your society. Today, you are the border guards of the region of the Sacred Defense of belief and social behavior; just as all the people of Iran are defenders of national identity and the great personality of the Iranian nation.

Officials must also, God willing, think about this. We have completed our information during this trip. The officials will also, God willing, come, and it will be shared with them. As much as the government is able, it will certainly provide the necessary services.

One of the things that greatly impacts the preservation of the borders of national identity is the preservation of the memories of that era of Sacred Defense and its glorious period. The fact that a Muslim and brave woman in your city can capture an enemy soldier and bring the invading force to the ground and blood, keep this and preserve it for yourselves. The fact that this city has been able to stand against the enemy’s invasion under the most difficult conditions, keep this for yourselves and preserve it. Of course, for Gilan West, preserving the memories of the Sacred Defense era is necessary; similarly, preserving these memories is necessary for the people of Qasr-e Shirin and the people of Islamabad West. In those areas, too, there were defending and fighting men and women who were present, made efforts, and stood against the enemy with all their might. The preservation of the Islamic identity of the Iranian nation is so important that great men, great scholars, and prominent figures must feel responsible for it.

You see that today the world of global arrogance has united; they have gathered to deny this identity; to isolate the Islamic identity of the fighting and heroic nation of Iran. Anyone who observes the international political arena and the international games will see that the arrogant powers in America, Europe, and the countries dependent on them are trying to break the resistance of the Iranian nation; they are straining themselves, pulling their collars, hoping to force the Iranian nation to retreat, understands how valuable and important this public steadfastness of the people in defense of the ideals and values of the revolution is.

Every now and then, their policymakers, their designers - as they call themselves - sit in think tanks and devise plans against the Islamic Republic and the Iranian nation; but the Almighty God neutralizes these futile plans. Recently, in all the press and media, whether visual, audio, written, etc. - which were affiliated with the international Zionist network - they made a fuss and uproar, attributing a meaningless and baseless accusation to a few Iranians in America, using this as an excuse to label the Islamic Republic as a supporter of terrorism! It did not work, and it will not work. Such conspiracies are carried out repeatedly by them, but they are futile and ineffective.

They say they want to isolate Iran; but they themselves are isolated. Today, among nations, no government in the world is as hated as America. Today, America is the most despised government and regime in the eyes of the nations of the region. You are isolated because you are despised.

Two years ago, the President of the United States went to Egypt to flatter Islam and Muslims a bit, hoping to attract and sway the public opinion of the Islamic world towards himself. What was the result? A small minority - that is, the ruling group; the same Hosni Mubarak who was ousted - supported him, but the general public of Egypt and the nations of the region did not fall for this facade. Today, you see the anti-American slogans are still raised in those countries.

The President of the United States visits Afghanistan - a country under their occupation, with over a hundred thousand American and NATO forces in Afghanistan - but he does not dare to leave Bagram Airbase, which is an American base; he could not meet with any of the political figures in Afghanistan in Kabul or elsewhere; he went to the base and came out from the base! You are afraid of the majority of the people, you are afraid of the majority of nations. Today, you are even afraid of the majority of your own people in America; the evidence is the Occupy Wall Street movement, which did not remain confined to New York; people in many other cities in America express their hatred. So you are isolated.

In order to isolate the Islamic Republic, they continuously bring up the issue of "Iranophobia." No; Iran is a supporter of nations, a supporter of the oppressed. The Islamic Republic opposes oppression, fights against the oppressor, and stands firmly against the bullying and greed of the oppressors and the arrogant powers without retreating. That is why wherever nations recognize the Islamic Republic, they are fond of it, they support it, and the slogans of the Islamic Republic are pleasing to them; in contrast to you, the leaders of the United States regime, who are despised in Iraq, despised in Afghanistan, despised in post-revolution Egypt, despised in Libya where you have deployed military forces and are active, and even despised in Europe.

A few years ago, in one of the European countries, as usual, a minority gathered to award the Nobel Peace Prize to the current President of the United States - these were a minority; political motivations and relations dominated their actions - then the President of the United States went to receive the award, and the people of that country protested against him! You are with minorities; you are with one percent groups; the vast majority of ninety percent of the people oppose you; this is exactly the opposite of the direction and movement of the Islamic Republic. Therefore, the enemy, with its efforts, activities, and struggles against the Iranian nation, achieves nothing, and the steadfastness of the nation, the steadfastness of our youth in preserving their national identity and Islamic personality, overcomes all these efforts. And I ask you dear youth to appreciate this situation and prepare yourselves day by day for a proud and glorious future.

Fortunately, today the field of science is open, the field of technological activities is open; the officials of the country must also open economic fields so that the youth of this country can confidently enter various fields. This country belongs to you. Our generation has done everything it could over the years. Today, the country belongs to the youth, it belongs to the youth. In various sectors, the youth must keep themselves prepared. You must confront and fight against the influence of enemies, against the cultural impact of enemies, against the weakening factors that the enemy injects into society. Recognize Islam as a material and spiritual savior.

The flag of Islam, God willing, will save this entire region. Today we are witnessing that the Islamic movement in this vast Islamic region of the Middle East is expanding day by day; the enemy is in isolation, retreating, and the Islamic movement, despite the efforts of the enemy to extinguish it, is advancing.

I have no doubt that the future belongs to Islam, the future is in the realm of Islam, and you youth, God willing, by divine grace, will witness the day when the flag of Islam is raised in all these regions and a powerful and dignified united Islamic community is formed.

Once again, I express my happiness at being among the dear people of Gilan West and also the people of Islamabad and Qasr-e Shirin who have made the effort to come and participate in this gathering, some of whom are present. I also apologize if I could not visit other cities. Opportunities and resources are limited; although our desire and affection for the people of these regions is universal.

O Lord! By Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, grant us success in being true and sincere servants to this nation. O Lord! Defeat and subdue the enemies of this nation. O Lord! Fulfill the great aspirations and lofty ideals of this nation. Make the sacred heart of the Awaited One (may our souls be sacrificed for him) pleased and satisfied with all of us. Make the pure souls of the martyrs and the pure spirit of Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) pleased with us.

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