Statements in Meeting with the President and Members of the Cabinet

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

Today's session was a very good session. We hope that the Almighty God blesses the sincere efforts and intentions and compassionate statements, and that this session can assist all of us - our nation, our government, our officials - in easily traversing the very proud and, of course, difficult path that lies ahead.

First, I commemorate the Government Week, which is adorned with the memory of our two great martyrs, and I congratulate our esteemed statesmen. I honor the memory of these martyrs who truly and justly initiated and innovated significant works during a difficult period and advanced them at times, and I pray to the Almighty God for their elevated ranks and those of the other martyrs.

I also find it necessary to sincerely appreciate and thank our dear people who demonstrated their grandeur and embodied their greatness during the Quds Day rally last Friday. Truly, this year's Quds Day was a symbol of the presence of the Iranian nation and the motivation of the Iranian people; the very thing that spreads hope in the region and compels nations to resist.

I also want to thank the services of the government, part of which was mentioned today. On the occasion of these reports, I would like to say to my dear brothers and sisters present here; I personally requested from the President that the esteemed ministers provide reports in their respective fields. Well, this session was a good session; your reports were also good reports; documented and logical and based on statistics, and in many cases, comparative statistics; all of which are necessary and should have been done and must be done.

The point I want to add is that in the numerous meetings I have with the elites and distinguished individuals of the country - academic and seminary - at various levels, I repeatedly hear complaints from you esteemed officials that they do not come among us and do not speak with us on these matters. This criticism is valid against you. A few days ago, I raised this issue in a meeting with university professors. They have told me repeatedly, and they mentioned it in that session; I also brought it up.

Well, today's session mainly revolves around economic issues; which, incidentally, is the main and central issue of the country and one of the significant points of contention that exists among officials at various levels and among some who are dissenters or critics is this economic issue. Very well, take this to the elite; explain it, justify it, express it. Suppose the esteemed Minister of Economy or the Governor of the Central Bank goes to a large gathering of university students; there may be directed questions or criticisms with non-technical reasons among the questions that arise; let it be, there is no problem. You go; do not let your focus be on the ten individuals who may think this way among the five hundred present. Pay attention to the other four hundred and ninety individuals and express your views. Some criticisms may arise that could be beneficial for you. That is, in the area of infrastructure work, in the area of economic work, in matters related to work and employment, etc., this will create synergy. In my opinion, this is a necessary task; my recommendation is this.

Our request is that this session, with its details, be published; that is, one by one, these reports that friends, the esteemed ministers or the esteemed assistants of the President provided, be reflected so that the people can hear them; but let me tell you, these numerical and statistical figures do not remain in the common mind of the people; the elites and specialists make more use of these statistics and calculate and draw conclusions based on them. Well, go to them, share these, and present them. This will occasionally have feedback; they may raise criticisms, which may be valid; this will help you. I have this strong recommendation. Do not just wait for the President to do this; the ministers can also do this. Of course, if the esteemed President also participates in elite gatherings and presents these, it would be very good.

However, I will mention two or three reminders, which are our constant reminders to you, and I emphasize. The slogans of the ninth and tenth governments were and are slogans that have an attraction for our faithful people; for example, justice-seeking, or opposing global arrogance, or simple living and combating elitism, or opposing favoritism and misuse of connections in economic and non-economic matters, or sincere service. And let me say, you know this too; the reason for the people's support for the government and the President - both in 2005 and in 2009 - was these slogans. That is, the people are attached to these slogans and feel their necessity and urgency. Do not abandon these slogans. Among the most fundamental slogans was adherence to the principles and values that our Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) introduced and presented to society; which, incidentally, in the world, was the factor for the growth of interest in the Islamic Revolution, these slogans were. That is, without us having sufficient propaganda tools or knowing how to use adequate propaganda methods, the title and popularity of our Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) spread among nations and throughout the world; this was due to these slogans and these approaches and orientations. This, too, that you stand against the apparent overwhelming power of global arrogance - which today is represented by America and international Zionism - creates value; this itself creates popularity; this itself instills hope in the hearts of nations and nurtures it; this must not be lost. Be careful in your methods, in your statements, in your manner of interaction, in your performance, that there is no transgression of these slogans.

Do your work for God. Not that you do this work because the people like it; no. If the goal becomes to win the hearts of the people, we will be unsuccessful. "I will certainly cut off the hope of anyone who hopes for others"; this is a sacred hadith, which in my mind is such that it has been narrated with a reliable chain from God Almighty, who said: I will certainly cut off the hope of anyone who hopes for others. Our hope must be in God, we must work for God; however, we know that working for God has its attraction. These slogans are divine slogans. If these commitments weaken, if adherence to these slogans diminishes, divine successes will also be withdrawn. Many of the successes you have in the field of action, and all the successes from the beginning of the revolution until today, have been because divine successes have been included, and this divine assistance is what has helped. If work is not for God, these successes will be taken from us. The same enthusiasm, vitality, effort, and sincere service without expectation of reward and favor must continue. This is a main point.

The second point: The other day, I also said in the assembly of the country's officials to express the strengths to the people, and also express your weaknesses; this is important, it has an impact. Today, for example, among the reports of friends, I saw instances where they referred to weaknesses; however, with the expression that "these works must be done." This "must" indicates the need for work that should have been done but has not been done. Say this clearly. Say we should have done this work, but until now we have not been able to do it. No one will hold someone accountable for not being able to do something. They will say, well, in light of these ten works that have been done, these two, three, five works have not been done; we intend to do these as well. State this, say it explicitly; there is no problem. Do not be afraid that a certain critic who may be biased will align their words with yours; well, let them, what is the problem? Say yes, this criticism that they make against us is valid. Present this, but say we intend to address this. Say we have done these works, and we will do these works as well. This is my recommendation.

Of course, in dealing with criticisms that may occur in the media and newspapers or some legal centers regarding the government, two types of approaches can be taken: one approach is justifying and explaining, which is good; one approach is confrontational, which is not good. It should not be that you say because they attack the government, because they make biased criticisms, then we should respond in kind; no, explain. Yes, explaining is necessary. The way to explain is the same as in public meetings with the people, express it, clarify it; let the questions be raised, you answer, this will clarify things; it should also be broadcast in the media. If a good explanation is provided, the malice of the malicious will not reach anywhere.

Another point I want to mention under this issue of attention to weaknesses is: one of the weaknesses is that we do not see priorities in our work. One of the gentlemen pointed out - which is a correct observation - that unfinished projects should be pursued. This is very good; this work is necessary; I always emphasize this; however, specify, create a working group, let them really sit down and prioritize the unfinished projects - now they mentioned a number that we have a certain number of unfinished projects - identify which ones are priorities, which ones have been promised more or have more expectations from the people; focus on these, address them. Prioritize this over new projects. How good it is that all the promises that the government has made to the people are fulfilled. If a promise is made to the people and not fulfilled, this will create problems; not only for the government but for the system.

The President pointed out that they tell us you have raised the expectations of the people. This raising of expectations is not due to you stating your shortcomings; the people's expectations have risen; no, expectations rise with promises. If we can fulfill these promises, the expectations of the people will turn into faith and belief; this is good. Let us ensure that what we have said we will do, we do, and let the people see that it has been done. Today, I saw your statistics are comparative statistics - which is very good and appropriate - one of the comparisons should be: a comparison between what we have said we will do and what we have been able to do so far. Calculate a percentage, see how it is. This is very important.

Another point, this issue of economic jihad that has been repeatedly raised, you friends raised it today as well. The foundations and arguments for declaring "the year of economic jihad" are clear for you who are in government. That is, we consider economic jihad a necessity for the country, not merely a priority; it is an absolute need. First, the economy, economic progress, and economic prosperity have a direct relationship with the livelihood of the people. The livelihood of the people is among the first objectives of all governments everywhere in the world and throughout all periods of history; of course, governments that care for the people; those oppressive and tyrannical governments are not our concern. Any government that wants to serve its people, its first issue is the livelihood of the people, which can manage the people. Well, this depends on the economy. A good, healthy, abundant, and progressive economy can improve the living conditions of the people. Well, this is one reason for the necessity of striving in the economic field.

Another issue is reaching the outlook. This outlook has been targeted, it is a high-level document; we must certainly adhere to this. Without economic jihad, we will not reach the outlook. In the outlook, the first economic power of the region is also mentioned. In this field - which is a competitive field - if we fall behind, we will be hit. The other day in that session, it was also mentioned that the issue of rivalry is not at stake; the issue is that in this general challenge and in the public movements of governments at this time, if someone falls behind, they will be trampled. Our economic progress and reaching the goals of the outlook are because if we do not reach there, our nation and our country will suffer severe blows; possibly fatal blows will be inflicted upon us. We must reach there; this is our need. With the slogan we are giving, with the goals of the Islamic Revolution, there is no other way. The truth is that the Islamic system has challenged the system of global arrogance and domination and heresy; this is a movement that has begun. Failing in this field will have indescribable losses and will not be limited to our nation; therefore, we must certainly succeed in this field. This victory is not possible with this tool; various other tools are also necessary; among these, economic progress is one.

Another issue is that today the enemies of the Islamic system and the enemies of the Iranian nation are using economic tools against us, of which the sanctions mentioned are a sample. Of course, I must thank this group that is working against the sanctions. All correct, logical, cunning, and wise methods must be used and utilized. Neutralize the sanctions. Neutralize the enemy's powerful but, in reality, weak plan. When we observe this massive apparent military and economic system of arrogance before us, one is reminded of the cat from the cartoon "Tom and Jerry"! Its movements are many, and its noise is loud, and its size is large, but the results of its work are not as it expects or as the viewers expect. It is truly like that. This depends on your cleverness.

They said smart sanctions or paralyzing sanctions; however, we see that these sanctions were neither that smart nor paralyzing. Well, these sanctions caused us to achieve self-sufficiency in many areas where we did not have self-sufficiency; they created good momentum in scientific fields; we witnessed significant achievements in industrial and military and non-military productions in our country; and we reached various ways to neutralize these sanctions.

These sanctions will be neutralized; you should know this. It is not that they can endure this movement and behavior for a long time; this is not possible; that is, the world will not accept this. Today, the world is not a world that listens to America's words; even if now its special representative goes to a certain country, reprimands them, what can they do? Now this will continue for a while, but it is not sustainable. Of course, I also said a few months ago, today you also observe; what they said at the beginning of this year was paralyzing, their expectation was that within three or four months it would truly reach paralysis. This three or four months has passed, and it has not reached paralysis; thank God, it has led to better momentum for us. Therefore, economic jihad is for this. That is, there must be, God willing, a striving, a purposeful and intelligent movement, with reliance on God Almighty and trust in divine support.

Well, one example of this economic jihad is the economic transformation plan that the government has been proposing for two or three years. One aspect of the economic transformation plan was the targeting of subsidies; which, thank God, its law was approved and operationalized. Of course, I have a question regarding assistance to production. Now the gentlemen mentioned in the report; however, what was the legal resolution for assisting production has not been realized. You must assist production. Of course, in the long term, these production units will stand on their own feet and, God willing, will be able to grow stronger day by day and respond; but in the short term, they must certainly be injected with resources where necessary. Of course, where someone commits fraud, where someone takes money for production from the bank but spends it on non-production, deal with them severely and do not show mercy to the sharp-toothed leopards; but where help is needed, you must really go and assist. Therefore, in the targeted plan, this section must certainly be given attention.

Other sections of the transformation plan must also be given attention; one is the customs issue - which today one of the gentlemen mentioned that its bill has gone to the parliament - one is the monetary and banking policies of the country. All five or six items in the transformation plan must be implemented. Make sure that within the remaining time of the government, these works are initiated so that they can continue. That is, do not let the work remain unfinished. These works will not be completed in two years. This targeting also has various stages; you started, you progressed. That progress, in fact, is in a sense completion. Starting well and correctly is, in a sense, completion.

The issue of imports, which was reported, is also among my concerns. Now this report exists; however, what one observes is somewhat concerning. It is true; the growth rate of our non-oil imports to exports has decreased, this growth has diminished - this is a positive thing - but do not settle for this. Especially in the agricultural and horticultural areas that were mentioned, these are things we must avoid importing as much as we can. Go towards the industrialization of agricultural exports; this is what was also in the reports. These are important matters; God willing, emphasis should be placed on these. The people will also endure and accept.

Therefore, in the area of import policies, conduct a serious review; especially in goods where we have production advantages; whether industrial or agricultural. From the perspective of each governmental sector pursuing imports according to its needs, this must certainly be avoided.

Another issue - which of course is not related to economic matters - pertains to culture; for which no report was given today, it was postponed to later. What I find necessary to recommend to the friends in the government is to take the issue of culture very seriously. If we carry out economic works - as is in the program and our aspirations are directed towards that - but lag behind in cultural work, know that the country will suffer. Our enemies have one of the sources of their enmity in economic work; another important source is cultural work. Of course, neither the time nor the capacity of the session allows one to delve into this; however, friends should pay attention that cultural work is very important; with consideration of revolutionary and Islamic orientations. In the area of culture, do not be hesitant. In all cultural branches - whether in the subject of books, whether in artistic works, whether in cultural institutions - set the orientations to be revolutionary and Islamic. Also consider the priorities here, as resources are ultimately limited. Of course, the government's resolution regarding the cultural budget is a good resolution; although I have now heard that many of the amounts in this resolution have not been allocated; even if all of it is allocated, it is still not sufficient for all cultural activities. Therefore, resources are limited. Given the limitation of resources, look to see what the priorities are. Of course, I have presented a collection of suggestions to the government; that if these matters are considered in cultural work, with regard to the perspective we have in the area of culture, these will have priority; that is, these will have more impact. Yes, these must be pursued until, God willing, they are realized.

Another issue that is raised and I generally mention is: with all the work the government is doing, strive not to get caught up in problematic distractions. The government is working, making efforts, and there is, thank God, a field for work, and there is a need for work. Well, there is a working field, and there is a great need, and the government has shown that it is willing to take risks and enter the fields of work and work with all its being; very well, under these circumstances, it is truly unworthy and inappropriate for distractions to arise; whether distractions that you sometimes inadvertently create, or those that others create and you succumb to them; avoid these distractions. Do not allow conflicts and anxieties to arise in the country, in the space between the government and the people, that would hinder you from working.

Various issues are raised. My recommendation is that in the area of love for Iran, love for the country, and inclination towards Iran, pay attention to several points. One is that the most important aspect related to the country is language and literature. Love for Iran is realized in this way. We have various languages in the country; however, the national language is Persian. Those who have different languages are themselves among the primary promoters of the Persian language. The best articles in the field of the Persian language have been written by Turkish speakers; I say this based on knowledge. ...(1) God willing, the Kurds will also write; there is no problem, we welcome it. The prominent Turkish-speaking researchers of the country have written the best and strongest articles in the field of the Persian language over the past decades. Therefore, it should not be assumed that the Persian language is not a symbol of Iranian nationality; yes, it is. Emphasize this.

Or emphasize Iran after Islam. The honors that Islamic Iran has are not present in any other periods of our historical eras; I say this with reasoning and it is provable. The expansion of the country, the great military victories of the country, the tremendous scientific advancements of the country in various fields, all belong to the post-Islamic periods. Not that there were no such things before Islam; yes, but in comparison to the Islamic period, they are incomplete, they are few. Of course, some things are raised as statements, but they are not things that can be substantiated and proven; these are not provable. However, what has occurred in the Islamic period is provable; it is clear. You look and see the military, scientific, and cultural advancements of Iran during the Daylamids, during the Seljuks, later during the Safavids, and even in the midst of this, in part of the period of Mongol rule, how it is. When the Mongols came to Iran, they became Iranian and were influenced by Iranian culture; just as when they went to India, they became Indian. What prominent and great scientific, cultural, and artistic works were accomplished during this period. If someone wants to support Iran and Iranian identity, well, the Islamic period of Iran is both more documented, more substantiated, more acceptable, and more visible; the book is in front of the eyes, its architecture is in front of the eyes, its scientific signs are in front of the eyes; its history is documented and clear.

The last point - which apparently we are approaching the call to prayer - is that you should resolve the issue of cooperation among the branches. I often recommend to the branches; but now that you are the executive branch and you are present here, I must recommend to you. As much as you can, in areas where compromises can be made, make compromises; what is the problem? In areas where it can be explained, explain. In areas where issues can be resolved through friendly communications, resolve them this way. Why do I insist so much on holding meetings of the heads of the branches? When the meeting of the heads of the branches is held, many of these problems are resolved. In face-to-face meetings, they sit and talk; this resolves many problems; this is our experience from the past. Even if now some of the various paths that friends have taken have not yielded results; however, there are other paths. Ultimately, differences in tastes or interpretations of the law should be resolved this way. Make sure that this communication becomes a cordial one. If you observe a behavior that you do not approve of from the other side, let us also refer to ourselves, to see if we have had any impact in that heavy atmosphere that is referred to, or not. Let us be careful; if we have had an impact, let us remove it.

I pray for the esteemed officials, you, the heads of the branches, and each and every active individual in the country's affairs. God willing, may the Almighty God increase His successes upon you so that you can carry out the tasks expected of you in the best possible manner. Purify your intentions, enter the field of work with sincerity and purity, and do not let this effort and endeavor, which thank God you have been recognized for, diminish even slightly.

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