Full Text of the Important Statements by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution at the Large Gathering of the People of Bandar Abbas

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith, and do not place in our hearts any resentment toward those who have believed. Our Lord, indeed You are Kind and Merciful. (Hashr: 10) Our Lord, forgive us our sins and our excesses in our affairs, and plant firmly our feet and give us victory over the disbelieving people. (Al-Imran: 147) 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 immaculate family. Peace be upon you all and God's mercy and blessings.

I thank Almighty God for granting me the opportunity to fulfill the promise I made to you, the people of Hormozgan Province, for a renewed meeting, and to once again be among you, the dear, warm-hearted, self-sacrificing, revolutionary, and faithful people, and to share with you some matters of mutual interest.

Firstly, I express my heartfelt gratitude for this massive and enthusiastic gathering and for your sincere reception. These scenes and these pure and sincere emotions are perhaps unparalleled or at least rare among the nations of the world and the countries of the globe. This bond between you and your servants in the important responsibilities of the country is one of the most fundamental, profound, and astonishing secrets of the success of the Iranian nation in the years following the revolution.

Let me say a few words about the city of Bandar Abbas and the sensitive position of this city and this province. Of course, you, the people of this city and this province, are familiar with these facts; but the Iranian nation should know who these self-sacrificing people are on this long coast of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz in this historic province, what they have done, what they are doing, and what role they can play in the future progress of this country, God willing.

Perhaps among the cities of our country, apart from Bandar Abbas, there is no city whose history of establishment is associated with the heroic struggle of the people against foreigners, and the city was fundamentally shaped on this basis. If there are any, they are very few. The city of Bandar Abbas was formed from the beginning based on the struggle against the Portuguese occupiers; foreigners who, like all colonialists, considered the place, land, sea, resources, and even the people as belonging to themselves and their property. A group of Europeans had come from the other side of the world and occupied the sensitive region of the Strait of Hormuz and the edge of this great global and historical trade waterway.

Approximately four hundred years ago, the people of Iran, under the command of brave and patriotic commanders who shunned foreigners, managed to reclaim this important base that belonged to them from the hands of foreigners, and since then, this place became Bandar Abbas; as a city, as a fundamental and sensitive base for both trade and oversight of this great and important global waterway. After that, the British, the Dutch, and various other foreigners spread their rule and tyranny in this region. Ultimately, the Iranian nation overcame all of them, and this sensitive region and coast returned to its true and original owners. The city of Bandar Abbas and this large and long province, with a thousand kilometers of coastline, with abundant resources, with natural talents, with hardworking and warm-hearted people, have formed alongside the Persian Gulf; but my dear ones! Before the revolution, these people's talents and these natural and territorial talents - whether on land or at sea - were not utilized to the extent they deserved, not even less than deserved. This sensitive city and this important center were considered a place of exile for the previous regime - a place of exile for criminals, thugs from around the world and the country - but reviving the great potential of this city and this region was not a focus.

The fact that you see after the glorious Islamic Revolution, with all the activities that have been done and all the investment and effort and construction, the face of the province has not yet been able to wash away the dust of deprivation, is due to the historical injustice that has been inflicted on this city and other cities of this province during the decades of the tyrannical regime.

We thank God that the great Islamic Revolution and the sacred system of the Islamic Republic recognized the value of these people and this land. Before the revolution, in this very city, the faithful people, the enthusiastic youth, in the line of the revolution and Imam, took effective actions, and it is appropriate for me to remember the martyr 'Haqani,' that hardworking and devoted cleric who spent part of his life here and organized the struggles before the revolution.

From the first day of the revolution until today, the people of this province have shown their presence in the best way for the revolution, for the Islamic Republic system, in all sensitive stages, in war, in construction, in public demonstrations, in elections, and in every place where the presence of the people is meaningful. Shia and Sunni brothers, side by side and hand in hand, away from the tension that the enemy has always wanted to create among Muslim brothers, have worked together, fought together, and participated in the eight-year defense.

This province has had two thousand martyrs, countless self-sacrificers, and Basij youth; especially the divers who, wherever they were, showed that they are faithful, devoted, and committed young people. Today, too, the self-sacrificers of this region are among the enthusiastic, faithful, and sincere self-sacrificers whose actions, efforts, compassion, and devotion are not hidden from the eyes of the people and officials. The Islamic Republic system has treated this province and these people with this perspective; people who are devoted and sincere, true soldiers of Islam and the Quran and the Islamic Republic system.

The services of the Islamic Republic system during this period are a long and very valuable list. Although I was somewhat familiar with this province myself, I once again reviewed it on the occasion of the trip and the duties that are upon us. The work done is truly impressive. The efforts made in the economic sector, in the education sector, in the construction sector, in the heavy industries sector, in the fishing sector, and in various sectors are impressive. A province that was deprived of higher education institutions before the revolution, today, apart from bachelor's and master's degrees, has hundreds of people studying at the doctoral level. The number of higher education institutions in this province is a very significant number that trains human resources. The Islamic Republic system has done very valuable work for this province during this period - the province's roads, the province's railway, the province's heavy industries - but what has been done, compared to what needs to be done, is one part of many parts. The potential of this province is very high and vast; both trade potential, agricultural potential, industrial potential, fishing potential, and tourism attraction potential. A potentially very wealthy province, which if, God willing, this construction process continues as the devoted and interested officials of the country are engaged, will have a good future. Of course, by the grace of God, the construction process will continue; the active government, the hardworking officials, and the fresh president whose hearts beat with love for the people will continue for the people and the interests of the people.

Of course, today the face of the province is the face of a deprived province, and despite all the efforts that have been made, there are still many deprived villages, deprived areas, and even urban problems in this province. In this trip, our most significant role is to identify and understand the problems. The country's officials, the dear government, and various sectors should recognize their responsibilities and include them in future work programs. In reasonable and acceptable times and with acceptable intervals, these problems must be solved gradually and in order.

This faithful nation, this young province, these loving hearts, these hardworking and strong hands, and these confident spirits must be able to benefit in this part of the country, both spiritually, culturally, and religiously, economically, socially, and on the edge of the sensitive Strait of Hormuz - this great global waterway that all the world's powerful eyes are on. Alert people, determined youth, strong and powerful hands, men and women whose hearts beat with love for the homeland and sacrifice for Islam, should be vigilant in this sensitive point; know the friend, know the enemy, and understand the duty. The comprehensive progress of this province is directly and indirectly related to the security of this country, which must be done by the grace of God. Of course, the role of all of you people, especially the role of the youth and especially the role of those from whom expertise and skills and various readiness for different tasks are expected, will be very sensitive and decisive.

Regarding the issues of interest to us and you - both national and global issues - I will mention two points, one of which is particularly important for you people living on the shores of the Persian Gulf.

In terms of global issues, I must say: the Persian Gulf is a point where, in fact, the eyes of the whole world are on it - the eyes of oil consumers and the eyes of those who are focused on the products of those consumers - a very important and wealthy region of the world, most of which is the shores of Islamic Iran, and all around it belongs to Islam, and Islamic countries surround this vast oil-rich domain. Therefore, the issues of this region are the issues of the Islamic world and, in a way, the issues of the world. Unfortunately, today the presence of foreign powers in this region is one of the very dark points that have existed in this region over time. Today, dozens of military vessels of the enemies of the Islamic world are moving in this region. Of course, Islamic Iran, by the grace of the established Islamic Republic system and the vigilance of the nation and the readiness of the armed forces, does not feel any threat to itself; secondly, if there is a threat, it will respond to it with full power. However, in any case, the presence of foreigners in this region - most of the military vessels also belong to the great Satan, America - is threatening; that is, it threatens the security of this very sensitive region.

These days, the issue of Iraq has been added to the previous excuses. Under the pretext of implementing the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, the Americans have increased their presence here, which, of course, their action in reality has no real connection with the resolutions of the Security Council. We consider America's threat to Iraq an illegal and dictatorial act, and from the perspective of humanity and religion, we condemn it; because if the United States government wants to confront the 'Saddam Hussein' regime with its specific motives, the people of Iraq are not guilty in this matter. Any attack on Iraq will result in the massacre of innocent and defenseless civilians. This is not a face-to-face war between two ground forces where this army kills and destroys that army, and those forces kill and destroy these forces; this is an air attack, a missile attack, a laser attack. To the same extent that Iraqi military personnel may be targeted by this attack, Iraqi civilians may also be targeted to the same extent.

The government that claims to support human rights and sometimes creates a fuss for a political criminal or a smuggler who is tried in Iran, its affiliates, or itself and its like-minded people, or interferes in global issues under this pretext, the massacre of defenseless and non-military people in Iraq and elsewhere is of little importance to it. Recently, they have announced that in the military attack of America on Iraq, fifteen hundred people may be killed! Of course, the number expressed is certainly much less than the number of those who are threatened. Who can say that fifteen hundred people will be killed? Fifteen thousand people may be killed. More or fewer people may be killed. Even fifteen hundred innocent people are not a small number!

Due to the settlement of accounts between two governments, now for several years, due to the economic blockade of America against Iraq, the people of Iraq are living in the harshest conditions; children do not have milk, mothers do not have bread, fathers do not have work. A prosperous and relatively wealthy nation like the Iraqi nation has now, for several years, due to the economic blockade of America and some of its allies, turned into a nation in need of daily bread! How many families are under pressure; how many children suffer from incurable diseases; how many families cannot answer their children who cry from hunger. Is this humane?! Is this compatible with the claim of supporting human rights?! Is this several-year-old calamity not enough that after at least two military attacks on Iraq, they now announce that they want to attack Iraq again! The Iraqi nation will certainly be oppressed by this attack that may occur, and the blood of the people will be on the hands of the American decision-makers.

The second point in the issue and condemnation of the attack on Iraq is that America, with this attack, is turning its interference and violent and domineering presence in countries and global issues into a rule and routine. For what reason? With what permission? Who are you? Is America the world's policeman?! I said two years ago, what is in the heart of the American power holders and sometimes they also express it, is that the whole world is a great empire; the emperor is also America! The will of nations, the right of nations to choose, and the freedom of nations are, in their view, a myth and worthless! They utter human rights; but in their hearts, they do not accept it: 'They say with their mouths what is not in their hearts.' (Al-Imran: 167) With what permission does America give itself the right to decide on the issue of Iraq or the Iraqi regime or the Iraqi nation; that too a bloody decision that means military intervention?! For what? To secure its presence in the Persian Gulf; to test its newly made weapons on the innocent people of Iraq! What a world! What a criminal and domineering culture! Weapons must be tested! New weapons must operate somewhere so that they can see its performance! This becomes one of the reasons for a military attack on a nation and a country! How do they claim to know human-related issues or have any interest in them?! For them, what is not important is the human being; what is important is their power. America's presence in the Persian Gulf and America's attack on Iraq or any other point in this region, firstly, causes insecurity and causes sedition; secondly, it causes the disruption of the governments of the region; thirdly, these actions are organized to strengthen the Zionists and the Zionist regime. They want to strengthen the foothold of their agent - the Zionist regime - in the region.

The Iranian nation and the sacred system of the Islamic Republic, with its stance against America, from the beginning of the revolution until today, has shown that it knows America well; it has well recognized and identified the satanic face of the arrogant rulers of America. Truly, as Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) said: 'America is the great Satan,' this is satanism against nations.

Therefore, what we said is not only understandable and acceptable and logical for the public opinion of the world within the framework of the country of Iran. Based on such a strong reasoning and logic, we oppose America's presence in the Persian Gulf and its military attack on Iraq. Of course, this does not mean endorsing the actions and policies and methods of the Ba'athist regime of Iraq; everyone knows this.

My dear ones! The youth of Hormozgan Province! Respected clerics! Various classes! You, on the edge of this important waterway - the Strait of Hormuz - and on the thousand-kilometer coast of the Persian Gulf, should know these truths well. Know what is happening near you. Know what the enemy's threat means. Know that the enemy of Islam and the enemy of nations and the enemy of the independence and freedom of countries, if it does not attack a country, it is not because it does not want to; it is because it cannot. There is no material power in the world that can fight against the Iranian nation, with this united and strong and faithful nation and with these sincere feelings between the officials and the nation and overcome it. Anyone who fights against such a nation is doomed to failure. Anyone who confronts such a country and nation and government is doomed to defeat. With people who help God, help Islam, act according to the Quran, are masters of their destiny, know the value of freedom and independence, are present on the scene, and analyze the issues, anyone who faces and confronts them will be defeated, and this nation will be victorious.

I take this opportunity right here to present the point that I consider necessary to be conveyed to you regarding the current issues of the country:

My dear ones! Know that today your country, with a strong government, with an established system, and with an organized program, is moving towards its outlined goals. In the decision-making and implementing bodies of the country, thanks be to God, there is no problem that can disrupt this path. The enemies try to portray the country's economic situation as bleak. Not that we do not have problems; it is obvious that a nation, after a long period of tyrannical rule and after eight years of war and with all this hostility from aggressors and foreign interveners and aggressors, when it wants to move on the path of growth, it will take years. It will take years to completely solve the country's problems; but today, thanks be to God, there is a correct movement, a rapid movement, a reasonable movement, and a hopeful movement in the country. It has existed before; today, too, thanks be to God, it exists, which makes the future bright and the horizon open and hopeful. The future, thanks be to God, is good. Of course, the enemy tries to ruin this future, or at least kill the hope for the future in hearts.

I have said many times that the enemies of the country, the propagandists and the horns dependent on colonialism, if they see that they cannot affect reality, they try to affect the mental space; they try to ruin minds and make hearts despair. The truth is different from what the propagandists of global arrogance say. The truth is the correct movement of the country towards goals. Of course, in this world of oppression and in this world of arrogance, traversing this path is not easy; it is difficult. Anyone who accepts responsibility must also accept this difficulty, which, thanks be to God, they have accepted, they are moving, and they do not give up on efforts despite all the difficulties. The unity of the nation and the government, and the unity of the ranks of the nation, is one of the essential conditions of the work. You must preserve this and not let the enemies create division among you: 'And hold firmly to the rope of God all together and do not become divided.' (Al-Imran: 103)

Today, after fourteen hundred years, all the verses of the Quran are alive; all the verses of the Quran are addressing us with a loud voice. Perhaps one of the most alive and prominent divine words is this noble verse: 'And hold firmly to the rope of God all together and do not become divided'; all together hold on to the divine rope and do not become divided. Unity under the shadow of victory from the commands of God, unity under the shadow of the Quran, unity on the path of divine goals, unity on the path of creating an exemplary Islamic society. We have set out on the path to it; but we still have a long way to go to reach the exemplary Islamic society. We must go to reach the exemplary Islamic society.

The efforts of the nation, the government, the officials, the cultural elements, the economic elements, the workforce of men and women, all together; therefore, the ranks of the nation must also be united and harmonious and in unison and in step and in direction. There must also be harmony between the people and the officials. Thanks be to God, the officials are trustworthy and devoted and reliable; their intention is pure and sincere. We see them up close and know them; they are making efforts. The line is also the line that the revolution has drawn, and by the grace of God, there will not be a hair's breadth of deviation from the direction that the revolution has drawn - which is the revolutionary Quranic direction and true Islam - and the straight line will continue.

What particularly relates to your province is that I tell you, especially the dear youth, that for the construction of the country, the workforce is very important. The enemy tries to take the workforce away from the Iranian nation. We are a nation with a large number of young people among us. In your province alone, about fifty percent of the population is under twenty years old. At the national level, the statistics are statistics that you all know. The charts are charts that have been announced. The young workforce and the young population of the country are very valuable for a nation. So many young people, so much workforce, so much creativity, are very valuable for a nation.

This is where the enemy enters the field to corrupt and waste the workforce. How? With two factors: the factor of moral corruption and the factor of addiction. I warn you, dear people. There are now media from other countries - I will not name where - that produce corrupting and vulgar programs especially for you young people; so that they can affect the pure and healthy and correct-acting and correct-intentioned Iranian youth from across the borders.

The enemy has experienced this youth. This youth is the same youth of the eight-year war field. Our youth today are of the same kind as those young people who, during the eight-year sacred defense, whenever necessary, filled all the deserts behind the borders with Iraq; they fought until they left the enemy frustrated. These are the same young people; the enemy knows this. The enemy plans to corrupt, divert, and weaken the powerful grip of these people in the field of construction and action and possibly defense; the plan is also moral corruption and addiction; be careful.

Of course, the country's agencies are vigilant and careful; but the best guardians are you people, the fathers and mothers themselves, the young people themselves in the work environment, in the study environment, in the recreation and sports and leisure environment. With this vigilance, with this attention, with this reliance on God, with this adherence to the Quran, with this holding firmly to the rope of God all together, by the grace of God, this nation will be able to turn the dear country of Iran into an exemplary Islamic country and this society into a prosperous, free, talented, hardworking, active, and wealthy Islamic society. We hope that under the shadow of the grace of God and the attentions of His saints and the great Baqiyatullah (may our souls be sacrificed for him), this day is not far off and you will see it with your own eyes and all of you will participate in the formation and creation of that day.

Once again, I thank you, dear brothers and sisters, for this magnificent and grand gathering and for your kindness and affection in welcoming us. I hope that we can fulfill our duties towards you and that all officials become more familiar with their duties towards these dear people and perform them better.

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