Statements in a Video Conference with the Cabinet Meeting

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

Thanks be to God, the Lord of the worlds, and blessings be upon Muhammad and his pure family, and God's curse upon all their enemies.

Peace be upon you, O Aba Abdillah, and upon the souls that have settled in your vicinity; may God's peace be upon you all as long as I remain and as long as night and day remain, and may God not make this the last time I visit you. Peace be upon Hussein, and upon Ali ibn Hussein, and upon the children of Hussein, and upon the companions of Hussein.

The event of Ashura represents the pinnacle of jihad, sacrifice, and martyrdom in the way of God. I sincerely thank the statements of Mr. President and the esteemed ministers. This week of government coincides with the days of Muharram and the Ashura decade, which signifies the peak of jihad and martyrdom; indeed, the event of Ashura represents the pinnacle of jihad, sacrifice, and martyrdom in the way of God. Coincidentally, the very occasion of this week—the week of government—is also an occasion of jihad and martyrdom; that is, our two great martyrs, Shahid Bahonar and Shahid Rajai, were those who fought, and as a result of this jihad, the Almighty God rewarded them with martyrdom. These two individuals, as we have witnessed closely—both before and after the revolution—worked for God, worked hard for God, worked amidst the siege of problems, did not think at all about their personal interests, and were not in pursuit of creating a public image for themselves or attracting an audience; these are prominent and important characteristics. Therefore, this kind of working, this kind of striving, is certainly accepted by the Almighty God, and martyrdom was their right, their reward, and God willing, today their status before God is exalted.

The week of government is an opportunity for summarizing performances, critiquing weaknesses and strengths, and informing the public. Well, the week of government is a significant week, an important week. This week is an occasion for recalling and reviewing the one-year services of the members of the government; summarizing performances and critiquing weaknesses and strengths—which every government has strengths and weaknesses—internal critique, more than and before critiquing others, and an opportunity for clarification and informing; this is also very important. Well, today significant and important news was provided by the esteemed President and the ministers, many of which were new to us. The dissemination of this news and the critique of this news is important; both the achievements and the constraints should be mentioned, as well as what you were able to accomplish and what you should have done but did not; the people will appreciate it. A person who can express all dimensions of the issue is sweet and pleasant for the people, especially in direct contact with them; as much as possible, speak directly with the people. Of course, these days there are limitations, but explain to them through television and in face-to-face contacts. And of course, this [task] should always be done; this explanation and clarification is not specific to the week of government, it must always be done. People become happy, hopeful, and pleased with honest reports.

The importance of the last year of the government: 1) The last opportunity for service. The next point that is noteworthy and important is that today, in fact, the last year of the government begins. The last year is very important; it is important from various aspects. The first aspect is that you gentlemen who today have the opportunity to work for your nation, for your country, for God, for Islam, should know that this is the last opportunity; this last year is the last chance you have. Of course, it is possible that in the future you gentlemen will have responsibilities, but in this specific responsibility, which is very important—the overall management of the country, especially in various sectors—this is your last opportunity; you must make the most of this last opportunity. And one year is not a short time; it should not be imagined that one year is nothing; no, one year is a lot of time. Well, you have observed that in some countries around the world, it is common, and recently it has become common in our country as well, that at the beginning of their responsibility, the esteemed presidents determine a hundred-day opportunity, saying that in these 100 days, for example, we will accomplish these tasks or some tasks; the people also judge during this hundred-day period, and the press and others say that in these 100 days, this kind of work was done; well, it becomes clear that important work can be done in 100 days. One year is three 100-day periods plus an additional 65 days; therefore, it is not a short time for work.

2) A good legacy for the next government. In addition, leave some fundamental works that may not yield results in your government as a good legacy for the next government; let it be remembered with a good name and gratitude in future governments. For example, consider the reform of the budget structure; this is a long-term task, an important task; or reforming the banking system, reforming the tax system, or reforming the law for implementing the policies of Article 44; these are enduring works, fundamental works that will remain for the future.

3) Seriousness in pursuing promised tasks. One of the things that is noteworthy regarding the last year is that the tasks that have been started or promised should be completed. Well, the esteemed Minister of Housing has promised four hundred thousand—of course, now the President has said six hundred thousand; how much better—that housing units will be completed by the end of the term; this is very good, it is not little; all of these will create a transformation in the housing sector. Now you see that the housing issue is one of the completely problematic issues of the country; well, with this work, a knot will be untied, and a great task will be accomplished. Or the projects that are about to be inaugurated by the Ministry of Energy, which fortunately are being implemented week by week. Follow all of these projects until the end of the year, just as you have planned, and carry them out diligently; these are foundational works. Or the refinery construction policy, which I heard is a policy that is currently being implemented. Of course, this policy should have been implemented much earlier; I have repeatedly recommended refinery construction for years, which has been somewhat delayed. Now this policy exists; very well! Follow it up, this is very important, and perhaps we can, God willing, consider the majority of our benefits from valuable oil as being derived from oil exports whose added value belongs to us; that is, we have refined it ourselves, produced diesel or gasoline, and we export it; both its export is easier, and its price is higher, and its revenue for the country is much greater. Or the actions that have been initiated regarding knowledge-based companies, which must be pursued diligently until the end of the term; this is a blessed movement for the country. Or the actions related to the health system, especially in confronting COVID-19, where very important works have been accomplished with good management, thanks be to God. Continue these and pursue them diligently. Some of these works—as mentioned—are among the enduring works, such as the issue of drug discovery or similar tasks; these are important matters. The issue of increasing agricultural production that has been promised is also a very important matter. The works that have been done so far in this area are among the successes of the government; pursue these in this last year as diligently as you can. And especially these intensive scientific works regarding COVID-19 must be pursued seriously in the last year. Therefore, the last year is an important year and should not be viewed as extra time in any way.

A few words about the economic issues of the country: A few words about the economic issues of the country: Well, the reports that Mr. President and the gentlemen provided were mainly focused on economic issues, and I would like to mention a few points in this regard that should be noted.

1) Production; the key to employment, reducing inflation, and creating national currency value. First of all, the issue of production. Well, production, as we have also pointed out, and friends have pointed out, is the key to employment, livelihood, reducing inflation, and creating the value of national currency; production is truly the mother of all these. We must work as much as we can on production. We have repeatedly pointed this out in recent years, and this year's slogan is "Production Leap." What I want to emphasize is that production has obstacles; it is not the case that one can easily move towards increasing production or the production leap we mentioned; there are obstacles; go after these obstacles, and remove them. It may occur to you gentlemen that the obstacles are not in our control, for example, foreign sanctions; yes, some of the obstacles are like that and are beyond our control; the issue of our oil money being held, the holding of our resources, preventing the sale of our oil in a significant part, and hindering us from importing necessary items—such as machinery and parts—are not in our control, but many of the obstacles are also internal obstacles that genuinely hinder production and prevent the production leap; these can be removed. I will mention a few of these.

Obstacles to the production leap: 1-1) Uncontrolled imports. One issue is the problem of uncontrolled imports, which we have repeatedly emphasized. Producers repeatedly write letters, complain, visit, and some of them are interviewed on television and mention it; for example, there is a factory that produces a product that is needed by the country, and its eyes are on the domestic customer—many times this customer is the government itself—and at this time, they see that the same product is being imported from abroad through some means! Now, it may be with better facilities, for example, at a cheaper price, but it leads to the bankruptcy of this producer. This uncontrolled import is very dangerous and important. Sometimes this import is for luxury goods; that is, there is no need for it.

I heard that for the import of a type of luxury American phone in 2019, about half a billion dollars was spent—this was reported to us! Of course, the private sector does this, but the government must prevent this. This is one of the obstacles.

2-1) The issue of smuggling. One of the obstacles is the issue of smuggling. Preventing smuggling is our own responsibility; one cannot expect this from others. All the devices of the country—mainly the executive branch and the judiciary and the armed forces—must work together to seriously prevent smuggling, which is truly a staggering figure. This investigative report that was read in the open session of the parliament in Ordibehesht states that the volume of smuggling is 25.5 billion dollars! This is a very high figure; this is based on the parliamentary investigation report.

3-1) Problems in parts manufacturing. One of the obstacles is the problems with parts, which we are repeatedly told, for example, that a certain car does not have a certain part, they do not provide it. Well, we have a parts manufacturing movement in the country that has fortunately started; it has been several years since this parts manufacturing movement has been initiated by the armed forces, the Ministry of Defense, and some other sectors. Very well; refer the necessary parts to the centers that manufacture parts, to the centers that research and study in this area, so that they can manufacture the parts for you; and they can. I should mention that we have fortunately been able to manufacture very delicate and complex parts; in the armed forces, some parts that were thought to be impossible to manufacture have fortunately been produced. This parts manufacturing movement should be utilized.

4-1) Discoordination in downstream sectors. One of the obstacles is some of the strange and unusual discoordination in the downstream sectors. Now, the ministers at the top have some coordination and carry out some tasks together, which some of them were reported today; however, in the downstream sectors, there are sometimes strange and unusual discoordination. For example, suppose in this television report, a steel consumer complains that they do not provide him with steel sheets; it is needed, and steel sheets are produced domestically, and good quality ones are produced. This producer in the downstream steel sector, for example, produces household appliances and needs steel. Or a consumer of petrochemical materials; there are many downstream factories that need petrochemical materials, and they come to inquire why they are not sold here for various reasons or are sold at high prices or with difficulties. Now, for example, suppose that at night when this is broadcast on the news, we hear it; usually, everyone hears the news. In my opinion, the minister who hears this news should contact the relevant sector that has this complaint that night, call them, arrange for the next day, and go to resolve the issue by evening; that is, it is truly possible to remove production obstacles this way. Of course, some problems are more complex; the discussion is not just from morning to evening—I am somewhat aware of the implementation problems—but many of them are truly such that with a one- or two-hour meeting, the problem can be resolved. Therefore, the obstacles to production must be removed. This is another point.

5-1) Bureaucratic hurdles in granting permits. Another issue that is among the obstacles to production, and fortunately it has been mentioned in the reports that you gentlemen provided, is the issue of permits, which they say the time has been reduced; this is very important. Permits truly have strange and complicated bureaucratic hurdles; now they said 72 days, but in some cases, permits have faced problems for much longer than 72 days. Well, work must be done in this area; the issue of banking facilities and similar matters should be addressed; removing obstacles.

6-1) Exporting raw materials or bulk exports. On the sidelines of the production issue, I would like to mention another point that is also related to the production issue, and that is the issue of exporting raw materials or bulk exports, of which we previously mentioned oil as an example. One of our problems is that we send raw materials abroad without processing them and without providing their added value for our country, for our investors, for our workers. Our precious mineral stones go abroad, are processed there, and sold; sometimes the very stone that we sent raw is taken back and sold to us at several times the price! I have repeatedly emphasized the issue of mining, regarding these precious stones that exist in our country and some of which are reportedly unique or rare in the world. Or suppose the soil of Hormuz Island—this valuable soil that Hormuz Island has—saffron from southern Khorasan, dates from warm regions. Well, Iranian dates are truly unparalleled. Some years ago, one of the Arab countries sent us a package of dates as a gift, as gifts that they send; I brought it and showed it in the cabinet of that time, saying that this is a complete example of "taking cumin to Kerman"! The center of the date world and the best dates in the world are here, and they send us dates as a gift; however, they are packaged very beautifully, while we sometimes have them in straw and in other packages. Recently, the packaging has improved somewhat, but this must be pursued; this is also important. A few nights ago, the television mentioned that coriander is exported in bulk and sold at very high prices after processing in the world. Therefore, one point we wanted to mention regarding production issues is the need to remove production obstacles.

The necessity of forming a working group on production obstacles. Of course, I previously suggested that a working group be formed to identify and remove production obstacles, consisting of the heads of the three branches—since it relates to all three branches—and the esteemed heads have accepted and said, "Yes, this is a good task." I do not know whether it has been formed yet or not; if it has not, it would be very good for this working group to be formed and work around the clock, and God willing, they can remove production obstacles, as production is the most important thing in the economy.

2) Attention to investment. The second topic I want to mention regarding economic issues—which also relates to production—is the issue of investment. Investment is a very important topic for creating economic prosperity, increasing production, and achieving a production leap. The basis of work is investment. Investment in our country has been disrupted for years; that is, the necessary investment is not being made. What needs to be done in this regard is to focus on investment. Now, as far as I understand—from the reports, it has been reported to us—it seems that we have been lagging behind in investment for about ten years. Several necessary actions must be taken:

1-2) Completing unfinished investments. First of all, a primary and initial task that is very important is that we have made significant investments in some sectors that have not been completed, have been left unfinished, or are progressing slowly; the first task is to revive these investments, to complete them; because when investment remains half-finished, it means that a sum of money from the country, the nation, and the government has been spent somewhere, but it does not yield returns; this must be brought to fruition so that the people can benefit from this investment. And no large investment project in the country should remain unresolved, which is primarily the responsibility of the Planning and Budget Organization and then various agencies.

2-2) Encouraging investment. The second matter is to encourage investment; because investment must primarily be carried out by the private sector. The government can only invest in areas where the private sector cannot or does not have the desire or where the return is not favorable for the private sector; investment should be done by the private sector. The private sector today has the means; that is, there is not a shortage of money in the country today; you see that the discussion of liquidity and the multiplication of liquidity is on everyone's lips; therefore, there is money; investors must be encouraged to invest. Encouragement has various methods, methods that are not hidden from anyone: tax problems should be resolved, permit issues should be addressed, banking facility problems should be resolved; these are tasks that everyone knows [but] must be addressed with diligence, God willing, so that these encouragements can be implemented. This is also an issue.

3-2) Directing liquidity towards production. I have mentioned this issue of directing liquidity once again in a public center; it has also been repeatedly mentioned to the officials that we should direct the existing liquidity towards production. Of course, I said in 2019 in this same cabinet meeting and the week of government that a specialized round-the-clock committee should be appointed to explore management methods for liquidity; this existing liquidity must be managed and directed towards production, which is not an easy task; it is a difficult task that requires special methods; I said a committee should be formed to carry this out. I do not know whether this committee has been formed or not; in any case, if it has not, there is still time, and God willing, this task will be accomplished so that the existing liquidity can flow towards the real economy and reach production. This is also a topic.

3) The necessity of strengthening the value of national currency. The third topic I want to mention regarding economic issues is the issue of the value of the national currency, which is also related to the previous discussions. Of course, the value of the national currency is fundamentally something that relates to the growth of the country's production, the growth of the country's development, and the strengthening of the country's economic foundation; this is primarily the case, but there are also some peripheral matters. Of course, if we can strengthen production, the national currency will naturally be strengthened; if we can strengthen the economic foundation, the national currency will naturally be strengthened, and strengthening the national currency has an extraordinary impact on people's livelihoods; it has a direct impact on people's livelihoods, but alongside that, there are also some short-term measures that exist.

One is that it has been identified that there are malicious interventions in currency matters that affect the decrease in the value of the national currency. Some interventions are malicious; some are not malicious, but rather opportunistic. It has been announced that 27 billion dollars of export money has not returned; well, this is an important issue. Of course, sometimes this non-return is due to logical factors that prevent it from returning, but sometimes it is because, for example, this money, this currency has been taken by someone to buy land in a certain country, to purchase property, and has done things like this; this is unacceptable. Now, there are reports in this regard that in one of our neighboring countries, the highest number of properties purchased is related to Iranians who have bought property there; well, this is completely unacceptable. Or if they want to spend this on importing unnecessary goods or luxury goods that are entirely non-beneficial, an example of which I mentioned: a luxury phone has been brought from America, and half a billion, five hundred million euros have been spent on this; now I am surprised how those who impose so many sanctions on us do not impose sanctions on this one and similar matters; these are truly actions that are unacceptable. One is this, and another is some ill-considered decisions by some agencies. Of course, fortunately, the Central Bank has been carrying out good activities in this regard and has started and is following up, and everyone must help with that; in our opinion, all government agencies must assist the Central Bank; because the issue of money and currency, the decrease in the value of money or the increase in the value of money relates to their policies; therefore, everyone must help so that the Central Bank can carry out its work. Fortunately, good work is being done.

The necessity of launching information systems. One of the issues that has been mentioned to us here, and I have also reminded some of the relevant officials of this several times, is the launch of information systems that have existed in this area, which have been approved for a long time and for several years; some of them have been launched, but some have not. The launch of information systems and connecting them to each other helps the government to obtain the necessary information in this regard. This is also like the investment permit issuance system, the tax system, the anti-smuggling system, and the money laundering system; it is very important and essential for any structure that you want to reform; in addition to that, it also helps you in the ongoing process.

4) Not linking economic issues to external developments. Another important topic in the realm of economic issues, which I believe is significant, and this is the last topic I will mention, is that the economy of the country should not be linked at all to external developments; that is, you should not condition economic planning on the lifting or reduction of sanctions; no, assume that sanctions are going to remain for ten years. Economic planning must be based on internal capabilities and—as we have repeatedly said—on internalization and relying on domestic capacities. It is not correct to say, for example, that if the elections in a certain country go a certain way, then this will happen; no, it does not matter how the elections there go. We must plan the economy of the country based on the internal issues of the country, based on our own capabilities; it is truly a strategic error to condition our economic issues on external developments. And we should not rely on external matters; [that] they will decide whatever they want. They may make a good decision one day, or they may make a bad decision; if it is a good decision, we will benefit from it, but it is not the case that we condition our economic planning on how they decide. This is another important issue.

The importance of cyberspace and the necessity of launching a national information network. There are other issues in the country as well. One issue that I insist on emphasizing is the issue of cyberspace; well, cyberspace is very important. Those gentlemen who have opinions regarding cyberspace and express them and sometimes say that this is part of the main life of the people—which we also agree with; indeed, cyberspace has become a real part of people's lives; now, electronic government and similar matters are reserved for themselves—there is no doubt [but] what I am saying and emphasizing is that cyberspace is being managed from outside our control; that is the issue. Cyberspace is not something that one can use as one wishes; others are directing this water towards a direction that they want; they are managing this space. Well, when we know that there are those from outside who are managing cyberspace—which we are also involved in and which affects us—we cannot remain idle in front of it; we cannot leave our people, who are connected to cyberspace, unprotected in the hands of that manager who is managing cyberspace behind the scenes. International dominant factors are very active in these areas: in terms of reporting, news dissemination, data analysis, and various other matters; thousands of tasks are being carried out in cyberspace. For this reason, I emphasize the issue of the national information network. This Supreme Council of Cyberspace and the National Cyberspace Center that we have established, and I insisted and continue to insist that this [council] be formed and that the esteemed heads participate in it and make decisions and implement them, is due to the importance of this issue; this matter cannot be neglected. And I see that the necessary attention is not being given. Well, now the national information network has components; these components must be realized within specified timelines; one sees that they are not being realized, they are behind the timelines; or there are fundamental policies regarding bandwidth that have been repeatedly communicated; well, these policies must be adhered to, and these are my firm requests and emphasis.

Appreciating service in the Islamic Republic system. One point that is not related to economic issues and similar matters but is very important in my opinion, this last point that I want to convey to the esteemed audience. This is not only addressed to the executive branch but to all stakeholders and officials of the country; whether in the executive branch, the judiciary, the legislative branch, or various sectors that are present alongside these; and that is, friends! Appreciate the service in this system; service in this system is very valuable. Of course, service is valuable everywhere; any Muslim, anywhere in the world, at any level, does a service to individuals, to humanity, this certainly has reward, has value, and God willing, the Almighty will reward it; but in the Islamic Republic, it is not just this; serving in the Islamic Republic, in addition to this, has a very important point, and that is that your service, your movement, and your work help unveil a model that Islam has for community-building and for managing society; this is very important.

The failure of the capitalist model and the products of Western civilization. Well, Western civilization has brought forth management, community-building, and governance models and has shown them; both communism in one way—socialism and communism and various forms of socialism that different governments have created—and capitalism and so-called liberalism in another way; these are products of the West, and these products have failed; today, these products of Western civilization in managing society and managing humanity have failed. The one that was gathered, this one’s tent and pavilion is in chaos and disorder, as you are witnessing. The magnificent pinnacle of this Western capitalist model is America, and you see its situation, which is truly a failed model. More than anywhere else, human values are trampled in America. With these governing systems, they must revive values; now, religious values aside, the spiritual values that they do not even pay attention to, aside; human values, values that human intellect understands, such as security, health, and justice, are completely trampled in this dominant Western model more than anywhere else. In America, crime and violence are more prevalent than anywhere else in the world; this is a statement they themselves make, and these are statistics they themselves provide. In America, the gap between classes is terrifying; America is a wealthy country, but the majority of this wealth is in the hands of a handful of people; literally, a handful; the majority of this wealth is in their hands. The number of hungry, desperate, and homeless people in America is proportionally higher than in any other country in the world. Of course, I do not mean some very poor countries, for example, in Africa; I mean the conventional countries of the world, whether those considered advanced or those in the process of development, the number and proportion of the desperate, homeless, and poor in America is higher than anywhere else. According to explicit announcements from rivals in American electoral campaigns—both recently and previously—one in five American children is hungry, which is truly rare in the world.

The high degree of intellectual decline in the utopia of the West-stricken. Internal insecurity in American cities is unparalleled in the world; that is, truly, when a young person goes out on the street, they are not assured that a crazy person, a drunkard, or a person with a grudge will not point a weapon at them and kill them alone or among a crowd. You see that the statistics of crimes in America are astonishing; one becomes dizzy from the intensity and increase of these. Now, these relate to internal America, and the problems of America and the internal problems of the management of the capitalist system in America are more than this and have many details; however, in addition to these, there is also the work that America is doing in the world; killing, looting, warmongering, and creating insecurity are among the common practices of America. Today, you observe in Syria, in Palestine, in Yemen the clear footprint of America. Today it is in these places; yesterday in Iraq and Afghanistan, which still continues in some of these; earlier in Vietnam, earlier in Hiroshima; everywhere in the world, one observes the traces of America and the West’s criminality—mainly America. The high degree of intellectual decline can also be understood from their choices. Look at what individuals, what personalities they have brought to power in America and are showing to the world, which the world rejects and humiliates! The utopia of the West-stricken is here; this is the utopia that the West-stricken—some in our country and some in other countries—looked at as a prominent point and utopia; these are the characteristics of America; this is how human models are.

Faith, knowledge, and justice; the three main elements of the Islamic model for system-building. Islam has its own independent model. The Islamic model for system-building and community-building is, in summary, a model composed of faith, knowledge, and justice; these are the three main elements. Faith in the sense of pure monotheistic faith, which affects both the personality of individuals and the general structure of society, and extends to personal actions as well as social forms. Knowledge, with its infinite expanse—both divine knowledge and natural knowledge in the sense that the West has shown its art in it, that is, conquering nature and dominating nature and similar matters—is among the things that are praised in Islam. Then, a person rises from this stage to higher stages; knowledge of the identity of humans, knowledge of the world of the unseen, and divine sciences that are superior to this. This knowledge encompasses all these matters. Justice, too, in the broad sense of justice; both economic justice, judicial justice, and social justice, that is, justice in the true sense. This is what Imam has taught us.

Of course, we are lagging behind in all three areas. Our movement has not been appropriate and commendable, but the model is that one can observe this in slogans, in expressions, in orientations, in the movements that have taken place in these 41 years in the Islamic Republic, in the character-building that has occurred; its examples are our great martyrs, such as Shahid Beheshti, Shahid Rajai, Shahid Bahonar, Shahid Motahhari, and up to the last, Shahid Qassem Soleimani; this is the Islamic model. With your performance, you can sweeten this model in the eyes of the world and promote it, or God forbid, you can tarnish it. Therefore, service in the Islamic Republic is like this; it is not merely that with our service we help individuals or a specific group or the country; what is important is that with our work, our performance, our service, we are actually showcasing the face of Islam and the Islamic model. And this model exists; whether the arrogant powers want it or not, this new model has emerged in the world, and they fear it; their enmity is because this model does not accept their established principles; their managers and decision-makers are afflicted with misbehavior and misthinking in most aspects of life, and the model of the Islamic Republic, the Islamic model, does not accept this and follows the straight path, the path of truth, in opposition to falsehood; their enmity is due to this. The animosity you see from America and some others towards the Islamic Republic is not merely due to the presence of Zayd and the absence of Amr and some specific actions; they oppose the essence. Of course, tactically, they have some actions. This is the task of the system's operators to showcase this model.

A recommendation from the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) to the Islamic community. I would like to present a recommendation from the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) that is important for our time. In his 34th sermon, he swears that if the believers do not support each other, they will be defeated. "Takhadhul" means not helping one another; this is the meaning of "takhadhul." He swears, saying: "By God, the takhadhil will be defeated." This is addressed to the people of his time, but in reality, it is addressed to all humanity; believers must help each other, believers must support one another, believers must defend each other. You see that the enemy is constantly plotting against you; the enemies are constantly plotting against you; truly, constantly; one sees their plots. Now, sometimes they think their plotting is hidden, but it is truly evident; one understands what they are doing. Well, in response to their plotting, you must also plot; you must not remain inactive and silent, nor should you surrender; because they are constantly plotting, we must not surrender to their plotting. At that time, in this sermon, the Imam addresses his people, saying: "You are plotted against, but you do not plot against them"; they are plotting against you, and you are not plotting against them. This should not exist in the Islamic community; if they are plotting against you, that is, they are planning and scheming against you, you must also plan and plot against them. Well, God willing, may friends be successful.

I would also like to express my gratitude to the organizers of the mourning ceremonies who have, thank God, mostly adhered to the health guidelines; now, perhaps some may not have adhered to them, and we recommend that they do so; however, both the organizers and the respected speakers and mourners have adhered to these health aspects and the recommendations of the national headquarters, which I reiterate. And we hope that God will reward everyone, that they will be regarded with the attention of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him), and that this mourning and the enthusiasm and fervor that the people show will, God willing, be accepted by the Lord and the Imams of Guidance (peace be upon them). And once again, we thank those who have helped the people in confronting this dangerous and malevolent virus in various forms, God willing, may God grant them all success.

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