Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Meeting with Officials and Servants of the Islamic Republic

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful Thanks be to God, the 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 progeny, especially the Awaited One on earth.

This session is very profound and meaningful, and we hope that divine blessings, mercy, and guidance will encompass this great gathering, and God willing, benefit us all. The statements of our dear President were very comprehensive and conveyed many of my heartfelt sentiments. He articulated good points and important issues well. God willing, all people will be informed of these good and prominent concepts and benefit from them like us.

These days mark both the beginning of the lunar Hijri year and the days of Muharram; we are also on the verge of the new solar year. The days of Muharram hold historical, spiritual, and human significance for us; and the event of Muharram is not one that can be repeated merely by speaking and holding ceremonies. Remembrance and reflection are perpetual and always necessary. In the beginning of my remarks, I will briefly address the issue of the uprising of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him).

Confronting the tyrants is the most important task of the prophets. Throughout history, humanity has shown its greatest errors, sins, and lack of piety in the realm of governance. The sins committed by rulers and leaders who have controlled the fate of people cannot be compared to the much larger sins of ordinary individuals. In this domain, humanity has utilized reason, ethics, and wisdom less than in other areas of life. Logic has been much less dominant in this realm than in other aspects of human life. Those who have paid the price for this foolishness, illogic, corruption, and sinful behavior have been individuals from all walks of life—sometimes the people of a community and sometimes the people of multiple communities. These governments initially took the form of individual despotism; later, with the transformation of human societies, they became organized collective despotism. Therefore, the most important task of the great divine prophets is to confront the tyrants and those who squander God's blessings: "And when he goes forth, he strives in the earth to cause corruption therein and to destroy crops and livestock." The Quran refers to these corrupt governments with these shocking expressions; they attempted to spread corruption worldwide. "Have you not seen those who exchanged the favor of God for disbelief and caused their people to dwell in the abode of ruin, Hell, wherein they will burn, and wretched is the destination?" They turned divine, human, and natural blessings into disbelief and burned and roasted those who should have benefited from these blessings in the blazing Hell they created through their ingratitude. The prophets stood against them. If the prophets had not confronted the tyrants of the world and the rebels of history, there would have been no need for war and dispute. The Quran states: "And how many a prophet fought alongside many worshippers of the Lord." Many prophets engaged in battle alongside the faithful worshippers of God; who were they fighting against? The opponents of the prophets were these corrupt governments, the destructive and rebellious powers of history that brought misery and destruction to humanity.

The sending of books and messengers was for the establishment of justice and equity. The prophets are the saviors of humanity; thus, in the Quran, a great goal of prophethood and messengership is introduced as the establishment of justice: "Indeed, We sent Our messengers with clear signs and sent down with them the Scripture and the balance that the people may maintain [justice]." The very sending of divine books and messengers was for the purpose of establishing justice and equity among societies; that is, to eliminate the symbols of oppression, tyranny, and corruption. The movement of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) was such a movement. He stated: "I have only risen to seek reform in the nation of my grandfather." He also said: "Whoever sees a tyrant who considers the prohibitions of God permissible or neglects the covenant of God, opposing the Sunnah of the Messenger of God, and acts with sin and aggression against God's servants, and does not change him by word or action, it is right for God to admit him to his place." This means that if someone sees the center of corruption and oppression and remains indifferent, he shares the same fate with God. He said: I did not rise for tyranny and arrogance. The invitation of the people of Iraq to Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) was for him to go and govern; Imam responded to this invitation. It is not the case that Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) was not thinking of governance; Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) was thinking of confronting the tyrannical powers, whether by taking governance or through martyrdom and shedding blood.

The silence of those claiming to be right in the face of oppression. Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) knew that if he did not take this action, his silence, his inaction, would bring calamity upon Islam. When a power has all the resources of societies or a community at its disposal and takes the path of tyranny and advances, if men and those claiming to be right do not assert themselves against him and do not refute his actions, by this act, they have endorsed his actions; that is, oppression reaches the endorsement of the people of truth without their wanting it. This was a sin committed by the great figures and the noble descendants of Bani Hashim and the children of the great leaders of early Islam. Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) could not tolerate this; hence he rose up.

The uprising of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) revived reason and logic. It is narrated that after Imam Sajjad (peace be upon him) returned to Medina following the Ashura incident—perhaps it had been ten or eleven months since this caravan left Medina and returned—someone came to him and said: O son of the Messenger of God! Did you see what happened when you went? He was indeed right; this caravan had left with Hussein ibn Ali (peace be upon him), the shining sun of the household of the Prophet, the beloved of the Messenger of God, at its head; the daughter of the Commander of the Faithful had gone with dignity and pride; the children of the Commander of the Faithful—Abbas and others—children of Imam Hussein, children of Imam Hasan, distinguished and renowned youths of Bani Hashim, all had gone with this caravan; now this caravan returned with only one man—Imam Sajjad (peace be upon him)—in it; the women had been taken captive, suffering and grieving; Imam Hussein was not there, Ali Akbar was not there, not even the infant child was among this caravan. Imam Sajjad (peace be upon him) replied to that person: Think about what would have happened if we had not gone! Yes, if they had not gone, the bodies would have remained alive, but the truth would have been destroyed; the spirit would have melted away; consciences would have been trampled; reason and logic would have been condemned throughout history, and even the name of Islam would have remained.

Faith in struggle is the only flame that warms hearts. In our time, the movement of the Islamic Revolution and the Islamic system was in this path. Those who initiated this movement might have thought that one day they could establish the government and system they envisioned; however, they also fully understood that they might be martyred in this path or spend their entire lives in struggle, hardship, and failure. Both paths existed, just like the movement of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him). In the years 41 and 42 and the subsequent years of severe and dark oppression in these prisons, the only flame that kept hearts warm and motivated them to act was the flame of faith in struggle, not the love of attaining power. This path is the same as that of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him); however, it has two sides, and the temporal and spatial conditions are variable. At one time, opportunities arise, the banner of the Islamic government is raised; at another time, the path is without these opportunities and ends with martyrdom. We have seen many such instances throughout history.

The complex human knowledge serves unclean motives. In the era when the Imam embarked on this path, the times and human relations were much more complex than in the era when Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) embarked on this path; and today, human relations are becoming even more complex. The paths have become closer, communications have become easier, but relationships have become more difficult and complicated; various factors for an incident have become more concentrated. Today, those who occupy the position of Yazid ibn Muawiya can direct their efforts toward the entire world; that is, they can steer tyranny and corruption toward all humanity. This is something that is practically possible today with close communications, and unfortunately, this tyranny exists in the world and has grown. Advanced technology and complex human knowledge have provided ease and speed to ordinary people, but to the same extent and more, they have provided opportunities and ease and speed to unclean motives. Today, the tyrannical powers of the world can set their goal to dominate the world, all humanity, and all human wealth; they can set their goal to crush all obstacles that prevent them from this path; and unfortunately, in some cases, great tyrannies that indicate such wicked and vile goals are observed in the world. Today, the duty is very heavy.

The new world order is the goal of America's work programs. The day after the collapse of the communist bloc, the then President of the United States—the father of the current President—announced the new world order, revealing America's long-standing arrogant goals; it showed what was in their minds and the policymaking apparatus of America. Of course, this was not specific to that day; they decided and announced decades ago that they would not allow any other power to enter Latin America. Latin America was considered an exclusive region of the United States. Gradually, this was extended to the whole world; however, they did not mention this as an announced goal and did not speak it. After they felt that they had no great rival like the Soviet Union before them, they almost explicitly announced this goal: a unipolar world; a new world order with a single power dominating the entire world. The goal of America's work programs over the past decades has shown all of this. The goal is to expand military dominance and, subsequently, political and economic dominance; and all of it is in the direction of the interests of the companies that actually determine the policies of the U.S. government; they create the orientations. These are realities that if today's humanity understands, they will make timely decisions. If people understand what is happening in their world, they will have the power to make decisions and positions. All nations can accomplish great things.

The role of the United States in the overthrow of forty independent governments. I was given statistics that the United States has played a role in the overthrow of forty independent governments that were not under its control since 1945, and has intervened militarily in over twenty cases! These interventions have invariably been accompanied by mass killings and great tragedies. Of course, in some cases, they have succeeded, and in others, they have failed. What is in our minds and not far from our memories are clear examples; including the atomic bombing of Japan at the end of World War II, which the President referred to; the example of Vietnam, those bloody wars, those unforgettable tragedies that ultimately ended in America's failure; the example of Chile; the example of Iran in the coup of 28 Mordad—when an American agent came to Tehran and began planning and acting; and they later announced this and the documents were published, which are now accessible to all—and also in many other places. The cause of all these is the large economic companies, the major financial leaders of America, the authoritarian parties, the influential Zionist groups, and the morally and intellectually flawed personalities who are at the helm. This is a very heavy file and a very disgraceful past. These are not trivial matters. For them, the destruction of human lives is not important, the destruction of wealth is not important, the destruction of justice is not important, and human tragedies are not important; none of these issues are considered obstacles in their path. Of course, to maintain appearances, they also have abundant propaganda and media resources at their disposal. They have referred to it as "the louder voice," which is an accurate expression. They try to arrange the world in such a way with a louder voice that this tragedy-making is concealed; they present themselves as supporters of peace, advocates of democracy, and defenders of human rights.

Introducing superficial principles as American principles. Today, efforts are being made to introduce superficial principles as American principles. In a speech that the President of the United States delivered in Congress, he referred to this issue, and unfortunately, a group of American intellectuals prepared a detailed statement to create a theoretical backing for this claim, which misled humanity; they lied to their audience. They tried to conceal the essence of the matter, which is greed, ambition, and the desire for global dominance. Of course, public opinion in America is also very important to them—the lifeblood of these people is in the hands of the American people—so I heard that because this statement referred to some of America's weaknesses—albeit very minor weaknesses compared to the major weaknesses America has—those who claim to advocate freedom of expression and thought did not publish that part of the statement in America! In this very statement, which is completely clear and undoubtedly prepared in coordination with American intelligence, security, and military agencies, because some parts of it were not to their liking and slightly—not much, very little—contained some exposure, they did not allow that statement to be published in America and published it in other parts of the world. They published the parts related to war in America to prove that Bush is pursuing a just war! A war that defends America's national interests. They only published this part.

Facing a threat for which theoretical foundations have been arranged. Today, we are facing one of these threats for which theoretical foundations have been arranged and displayed in the showcase to deceive public opinion. Both politicians and some intellectuals have colluded to reflect this distorted reality to the world. Behind these words lie the same perennial goals; the greed for global dominance, the desire to control all wealth, the unwillingness to tolerate a country and a government that refuses to accept America's policies and dictated orders blindly. They wanted to keep this goal hidden behind these deceptive appearances. This is a very important issue. You are the officials and influential elements in the country's affairs.

The necessity of recognizing the context and motives of the threat. Of course, we have repeatedly stated that we cannot claim that Iran will definitely be attacked; no, such a thing is not certain; but the threat is certainly directed at us. It is we who must be able to neutralize and eliminate this threat directed at us, and this requires that the elites and the country's intellectuals, the officials and the distinguished individuals—who are mainly you gathered in this assembly—correctly recognize the situation; accurately identify the duty; and feel the heavy burden of responsibility on their shoulders. Today, we have no right to make mistakes. This threat that exists—because the President of the United States explicitly and clearly named it; of course, he referred to sixty countries; however, he named three countries, including ours—has a complex and multi-faceted nature that must be understood.

Iran, the main element constituting the threat. The first element is Iran itself, our dear country. A country that possesses half of the shores of the Persian Gulf—namely, the greatest and most abundant source of energy today and in the future. Its geographical position, bordering the Persian Gulf and having half of its coastline, in addition to the abundant material resources in the country, and also the vast human resources, is itself a main element constituting this issue.

The second element: the Islamic Republic system. The second element is the Islamic Republic system. An independent system, a dignified system, a courageous system, a system based on the people, a tested people, a people carrying a deep faith that has manifested this faith not just in words but in action, not in one arena but in various arenas; a people deeply averse to foreign domination and having very bitter memories of it. The same point that Imam Sajjad (peace be upon him) said: "If we had not done it, what would have happened?" This was something that one day the people of Iran experienced in their own lives. The day when the country was threatened by the American coup of 28 Mordad, if the presence of the people had been secured and the people had come to the scene, they would not have experienced twenty-five years of that black dictatorship and the loss of that very sensitive and important period and the waste of all that material and spiritual wealth. A people who also experienced the opposite; that is, they came to the scene in the Islamic Revolution, participated, and saw how they could seize the strongest fortress of arrogance in the region without weapons; they could expel America from a very important and fundamental point; they could turn America's power and influence against all the region into a base against America's interests and tyranny. The people experienced this and saw it.

The same applies to the war. In the war, some doubted how we would defend ourselves. At a time when thousands of square kilometers of our land were under the enemy's boot and the enemy was offering us a ceasefire and negotiations, some pressured Imam and other officials to accept the ceasefire. Imam stood firm; the people stood firm; the officials stood firm, and they saw the sweet results of this steadfastness. Yes, any dignity and greatness comes through sacrifice, courage, and action. By surrendering, by laziness, by not confronting problems, no summit can be reached. Those whom you see today in the world have gathered knowledge and wealth and placed them at their own disposal; they too have gone through hard days; they have traversed difficult paths. The greatest crime of tyrannical and despotic governments throughout our history has been that they did not allow the nation to secure its interests with its presence and courage when it needed to be present in the field. Ashraf Afghan and Mahmoud Afghan and their armies surrounded Isfahan. The people were eager to go and defend; however, the lazy rulers, who were self-defeated and frightened, did not allow the people to defend themselves. They surrendered and effectively made the people surrender as well. The result was that after years of hardship and darkness, when the invaders were forced to leave Iran, they took hundreds, and perhaps two hundred thousand, Iranian women and girls with them as captives; that is, even when they left, they treated the people in this manner.

The most important task of the Imam was to give space to the motivations and feelings of the people. The people are ready. The most important thing our great Imam did was to give space to the motivations and feelings of the people; he made the presence of the people possible. Imam never compelled or forced anyone to go to war; the youths came begging to go. The nation of Iran saw the result; it witnessed its own dignity; it saw the humiliation and disgrace of the enemy; it heard the world's acknowledgment of its legitimacy and victimhood—of course, after several years. A nation experienced, relying on a rich culture, filled with the springs of spirituality of Islam, with officials, thanks be to God, aware, steadfast, and strong. Therefore, one element is "Iran" with those characteristics; one element is this system and these people with these characteristics, which makes ensnaring, subduing, and leading them astray not an easy task. It is not easy to entice and deceive them, to impose a puppet group on these people—as is done in many countries.

The third element: the arrogant nature of America. The third element is the arrogant nature of the opposing side. America needs there to be no government or country in the world that practically questions its superpower status. This is necessary for the new order they have defined and envisioned. They cannot tolerate a nation that is not afraid of their threats, is not deceived by their temptations, does not follow their dictated policies, and has an independent policy that does not accept their guardianship and superiority.

The fourth element: concealing internal problems. Another element that has a definite impact on this issue and threat is the problems that the opposing side is facing. One should not think that the Americans threaten the world out of fullness and self-sufficiency; no, it is not like that. There are internal problems, economic stagnation, serious threats against the Zionist regime in occupied Palestine—which is very closely related to the fate of America—reviving the economic situation of the country through arms deals between companies and the U.S. government. These are very important issues that compel them to take such a position to cover up their internal problems. In this congressional speech, the President of the United States promises the people that he will reduce taxes and provide an efficient teacher for every class. These are their problems. Beyond that, there are moral problems; internal problems; the increasing development of violence; the increasing development of immorality and moral corruption; the increasing destruction of families within America. These are not trivial problems. These are oceans of filth that any being that falls into them—even one as large as America—will drown and suffocate. In facing these, directing American public opinion toward an enemy and an external incident is very important. This is one of the main elements of this issue.

The fifth element: the spread of the Islamic awakening wave. The fifth element is the spread of the wave of Islamic awakening in the world. The fact that they superficially say they accept Islam but do not accept fundamentalism stems from the same superficial understanding and naive analyses they often have of the Islamic world, and they have suffered for it. Today, the wave of Islamic awakening is a serious reality and an undeniable truth. Today, Muslims feel that they can influence the world, the state of humanity, and their own destiny. When this feeling reaches a certain point in nations, it will manifest and materialize into realities. They know this and are very worried about it. One example is the unprecedented Palestinian intifada. Is this a joke?! A people without weapons, without resources, facing one of the most equipped powers in this region, are being subjected to massacre and various physical, spiritual, and economic pressures without any conditions; yet they stand firm and have continued this intifada for seventeen months. With what ordinary and usual political analysis can this be interpreted? Why do they stand firm? Why do they not surrender? Why can the enemy, with all its pressure, not bring this agitated Palestinian nation to its knees? This small and besieged nation, which receives no help from anywhere. What is the motivation and spring that exists in their hearts that does not allow them to tire? Where does it come from? What is the factor that compels a Palestinian mother to kiss her child and send him to be killed and then say, if I had a hundred children, I would send them too? What is this factor? This is a very important factor. What is this factor that does not fit into political calculations, discussions, diplomatic negotiations, and the equations of companies? They see this and are very afraid of it. They are trying to dry up that spring; they are trying to destroy that motivating and generating factor.

A serious threat from America directed at Islamic Iran. We must see the issue in all its dimensions. The matter is not that it is claimed that four people from a certain country have fled and sought refuge in another country, so America comes to war with this country, saying we want to fight you because four people have fled here. This is not the case. This is simplification. The dimensions of the issue are much deeper, which I have touched upon. The sum of these elements results in a serious threat directed at Islamic Iran and the Islamic Republic system.

The unforgettable black mark for the American intellectual community. Of course, the architect of this policy is not the President of the United States; it is not specific to his time. It is the men behind the scenes of politics in America who do this. Of course, situations can bring great demands closer or further away. They also need a deceptive justification, and unfortunately, this statement by American intellectuals has become the custodian of this task, which I do not want to delve into. This is the task of our own intellectuals; it is the duty of professors and elites and political and cultural intellectuals of the country to dissect the words and expose the bitter truth that exists in a statement made in the name of intellectualism. But let me say that with the signing of this statement by a small number—fifty or sixty American intellectuals—American intellectualism has acquired an unforgettable black mark. Intellectuals who should openly and explicitly oppose war, aggression, indiscriminate killings, and have done so for many years, now come to justify the actions of American companies that want to advance with the spearhead of the political and presidential apparatus, issuing a fatwa for mass killings; a fatwa of intellectualism! Sitting at the table of Zionist companies and issuing a fatwa for the killing of nations is something that will never be erased from the record of any intellectual—if they commit it—and unfortunately, these rented intellectuals have committed such a great error.

American principles cannot be universal principles. The Americans introduce principles as American principles and say these principles are universal. Are these principles the freedom of man, freedom of thought, the dignity of man, human rights, and such things? Are these the characteristics of today's American society?! Is this the characteristic of today's American government?! Was it not this government that massacred the original inhabitants of America? Did it not destroy the Native Americans? Was it not this government and the influential factors in this government that enslaved millions of Africans from their homes and abducted their young daughters and sons for slavery, treating them with the harshest tragedies for many years? Today, one of the most tragic works of art is a work called "Uncle Tom's Cabin," which depicts the life of slavery in America and has remained alive for nearly two hundred years. This is the reality of America; this is the reality of the American government; this is the characteristic and distinction that the American system has shown to the world; not the freedom of man, not the equality of man. What equality?! You still do not recognize equality between blacks and whites. Even today, a trace of Native American ancestry in a person is considered a weakness in any administrative selection process. Equality of human beings?! Freedom of thought?! Are you willing to broadcast this speech or the speech of the President in your media in America? If there is freedom of thought and freedom of expression there, take this half-hour speech of President Khatami and broadcast it. What freedom of thought?! The media is diverse, but the umbilical cord of all is connected to the capitalist system and the big capitalists of America, most of whom are in the hands of Zionists! Is this the meaning of media freedom in America?! Why do you lie to the people of the world? Are these American principles?! Then you say that American principles are universal. Who are you to claim the right to establish universal principles for humanity? Well, before you, the communists also had universal principles; Stalin also had universal principles; he said the whole world must obey me; must follow these principles. The fascists of the world also had their own universal principles. What logic is this that these principles are ours; these principles are universal, and whoever in the world does not accept them, we must go and bomb them with atomic bombs? Is this the logic of a free nation?! Is this the logic of a government that truly believes in the dignity of man?! Are you lying to humanity in this way?!

The worst manifestation of the arrogant spirit of a power. That gentleman said in his speech, whoever is not with us is against us! How many times has this phrase been repeated? This is the worst manifestation of the arrogant spirit of a power and a government. Who said that in the face of terrorism, you have the right to lead? If the criterion is the number of your people killed by terrorism, come and see how many people in other nations have been killed by terrorism. Even today, people in Palestine are being openly and publicly killed in their own homes by the usurpers of those homes. Was your attack on Vietnam not a terrorist act? Was your attack on Hiroshima and Nagasaki not a terrorist act? Did not people there burn with the wrath of your fire, intentionally and calculatedly, without you knowing them? By what right do you claim to be the leader in the fight against terrorism? And by what right do you define terrorism? What arrogance is this? This is where, when these words spread in the world and the people of the world hear these words from them, they understand why the Islamic Revolution from the very beginning categorized arrogance and the arrogant powers as negative terms and promoted it. The meaning of the arrogance intended by the Islamic Revolution is understood by the people of the world.

Our clear positions: understanding, solidarity, and a policy of de-escalation. The prominent aspect of American society—namely, violence, sex, the prevalence of immorality, the bullying of individuals against one another, insecurity under the shadow of force—all of these are ignored and left unsaid. Just as that government relies on its rightful power and claims the right to aggress, in the streets of New York and some other cities in America, it is the same; whoever has power can forcibly take money from another's pocket. Anyone who has a weapon and can kill a few classmates in school feels entitled to do so. The result of this logic is the same. These are major problems that plague them. Then the President of the United States tells the Iranian nation to return to the global family; to connect with the global family! That is, you are facing the whole world. Is the Islamic Republic of Iran facing the whole world?! Today, it is you who, with your unilateralism and bullying, are gradually distancing yourself from the global community and family. Iran has no problem with the world. We have close, friendly, and cooperative relations with Asia, Europe, Africa, and most countries of the world. I would have very much liked today that the President had the opportunity to report on his recent trip—which was a very successful trip—and on the negotiations he had in this session, but it seems there was no time. Our understanding and solidarity with the world and our policy of de-escalation with anyone who does not seek tension with us; we do not seek tension with them, and with anyone who wishes to cooperate with us, we cooperate, is something that the whole world knows.

The threat from America will not be limited to a few countries. Of course, many in the world have understood today that if this bullying and unilateral trend continues, this threat will not be limited to a few countries; it will not be limited to the Islamic world; just as their recent nuclear threats have emerged informally against Russia and China. If they can, they will threaten Europe as well. This flawed and defective process has no limits. The whole world is against it; anyone who denies its absolute power will be against it. This is not specific to one or two countries. This flawed process must be stopped.

The duty of the elites is to recognize the reality. Now we are faced with this phenomenon. The first duty of the elites of the country is to recognize the reality; to choose the best path for the country, the nation, and the system; this is the duty of the elites. Some may claim that there is no threat directed at the system, saying no, there is no threat directed at the system. Some may accept the threat but consider it directed at part of the system, not the whole system, and think of themselves as outside that threatened part. Some may take the threat seriously, but think that the solution is submission and apology. All these paths are wrong. There is a threat; it is directed at the whole system. No one should think that the arrogant, tyrannical aggressor will be satisfied with anything less than complete dominance and will spare anyone. Of course, one of the well-known and old tactics in the world is to try to portray some individuals from a group of enemies as temporarily outside the circle of enmity so that they can eliminate the other part, and then come after these. The threat exists; the threat is general. The solution is to maintain and increase the elements of power within the system.

In the face of war, comprehensive defense. We have many elements of power. We must preserve these and increase them day by day. We are not weak; we must be prepared in the face of threats. If we are not, we must create readiness, and if we are, we must preserve and increase it. In the face of a declaration of war, we declare comprehensive defense—emphasizing "comprehensive"—and in the face of acts of war, we take action for defense and counterattack.

We do not welcome war. What is our position? We do not welcome any war; let everyone know this. This is the united and cohesive position of all the officials of the system; we consider avoiding war our duty. We believe that the current approach of America is leading the region and the world to instability. At the same time, we believe that America is exaggerating its capabilities. All the necessary elements for what they want to achieve—missiles and nuclear weapons—are not everything; many other things are needed that they do not have. Regarding the capabilities of the great nation, the sensitive region, and our vigilant officials, they are also neglectful. We have human capabilities; we have geographical capabilities. Our region is a very sensitive region. Instability in this region will destabilize the world. These are very important truths that we must pay attention to. The Islamic Republic of Iran is not "the Taliban" that its umbilical cord was connected to a foreign country; thus, when the umbilical cord was cut, it disappeared on its own. The Islamic Republic is a great country, with a great people, with abundant resources, with great vitality and energy, with a long history in the entire Islamic world, and with very high deterrent power. The Islamic Republic cannot be compared to other places.

Insistence on rights and the application of reason, wisdom, and prudence. What the American side is saying is this; they tell us to be weak, dependent, and subservient, so that they do not attack us, and this is impossible. We are not weak; we are strong; we are dignified; we are proud. Neither our nation, nor our government, nor our history, nor our culture allows for submission to any enemy, and this nation will never submit. Our position is to insist on our rights and to apply reason, wisdom, and prudence, and we see this as the only way to preserve the country. We must maintain our rightful positions, and we must apply reason, wisdom, and prudence at all stages. In this period, the elites have heavy responsibilities, and this period is a significant test:

A time came when no one saw the path of love; now the eyes of the world are worried about you and me.

The historical eye is worried about you and me. Today, you are the main players and heroes and directors of one of the important chapters in the history of the country; you must be very attentive. Fortunately, the main sections that these issues relate to—namely, the Supreme National Security Council and all the currents that connect to this council from various governmental and administrative sectors—are active and engaged in good activities. Other institutions must also increase their efforts and seriousness.

Performing legal duties in the best way. We have a "must" that is certain and a "must not" that is certain. The certain must is that everyone must perform the duties that are legally assigned to them in the best way possible. This is the foundation of the work. That is, various governmental sectors, if they want to fulfill their true duty, must perform the work that is legally assigned to them well, completely, and soundly. All sectors must do their work properly. There are also sectors that are specifically suited to times like this. They too must perform their work in the best way possible. This is the certain must; it pertains to all of us. These sensitive moments in the history of countries and nations may seem ordinary to those who live in these moments; however, for those who will judge in the future, today, each of these movements is important. Every expression and silence, every movement and action will be under the scrutiny of future generations; just as today, they are also under the scrutiny of the honorable recorders; divine agents are watching our actions: "And You were the observer over them and the witness to what they concealed." Every action you take today can be impactful. Therefore, we must be careful with every word, every action, every position; every statement and every silence. This is the necessary must.

Do not be intimidated by the enemy. The greatest error, harm, and danger for a country in such circumstances is that the enemy feels it has been able to intimidate it. One of the tools of superpowers is intimidation. Sometimes, the awe of a superpower has more impact on the weak than weapons. Some individuals, out of fear of a superpower, bring upon themselves the same fate that the superpower might bring upon them. Do not be intimidated! Some individuals in various discussions that are taking place these days speak and act in such a way that disrupts the necessary discipline that the country needs in these circumstances. In our view, some of this is due to poor judgment, and some is the result of this intimidation.

Negotiating with the oppressor and tyrant does not solve any problems. It is not the case that anyone thinks that now, in these circumstances, our solution is to refer to this tyrant and oppressor who threatens us; to consult and negotiate with him! Negotiation is not a solution; negotiation does not resolve any of these kinds of problems. Those other countries that have been threatened have opened the door to negotiation with America; they have relations; yet they are still threatened. There may be negotiations, there may be war; there may be no negotiations, there may be no war; there may be war, but accompanied by dignity and victory; there may be no war, but the absence of war may be accompanied by humiliation and servitude. It is not the case that anyone thinks that if we go and say, you are so angry, what do you say, the problem will be solved. Determination and reliance are the determining factors. Self-defeat and fear are also determining factors from the other side.

We are people of negotiation in the world. I have always emphasized to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and various agencies since the time of my presidency to go and talk to governments and countries, to participate in global forums. I have always emphasized to the Presidents after my presidency to travel; to participate in negotiations and maintain connections; to have visits and exchanges. Fundamentally, I believe in negotiation; but negotiation with whom and over what? Negotiation to reach a common ground; both sides must accept each other; there must be a middle ground; they negotiate to reach this middle ground. The other side, which does not accept you at all, is facing your very existence as the Islamic Republic; what negotiation can you have with him?! He explicitly states that he opposes the religious system; he particularly opposes the Islamic Republic because it has become the source of the awakening of Muslims in the world. He explicitly considers the reformist movement in Iran as a movement against the Islamic system; this entire group of our brothers and sisters who are under the name of reformists he does not consider reformists at all! He considers those reformists who want neither this faction nor that faction to exist; they want the Islamic system to cease to exist. Therefore, with someone who opposes the very existence of the Islamic system, and if he makes a move, expresses friendship with someone, it is certainly a tactic and for deception; what negotiation can be done with this? What result can this negotiation lead to?

Negotiation must be from a position of power and strength. Those who think of negotiation in times of threat announce their weakness loudly. This is a very wrong move. The Imam said something above negotiation; he said: If America becomes a good person, we will establish relations with it; that is, if it abandons its arrogant nature; like an equal party, and does not pursue its goals within Iran, in that case, it will be like other countries. But the reality is not like that; the reality is different from this. They still dream of the era of dominance during the Pahlavi period; they think of returning to that era and dominance. They are completely opposed to a system that is independent and wants to have its own policy, to express its own words, to draw inspiration from its own religion, beliefs, and culture; they are opposed to it with all their being, although today they do not explicitly say this, but it is present in the corners of their words.

America is angry with the very essence of Islamic thought. America is opposed to Islam, even to non-governmental Islam—just as it exists today in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. If, hypothetically, the Americans could achieve their goals here, it would then become clear what their position toward them would be. I was informed that American agents told one of the ministers of a well-known Islamic country that you must teach less about religion and jihad in your textbooks; why do you include these topics in your textbooks? This is the situation. They are upset and angry with the very essence of Islam, with the very essence of Islamic thought, a thought that compels its holder not to be intimidated by any material power and not to be afraid. And this is the characteristic of the Quran and Islam.

Consensus among officials in the face of the enemy's bullying. We must preserve the elements of power. The most important element of our power is the people, and the greatest factor that keeps these people active and present is their faith and unity. I urge our friends in their negotiations, in their words, to speak in such a way that does not create doubts about unity and solidarity in the hearts of the people. The honorable President rightly said that today, thanks be to God, there is no disagreement among the officials of the country in these discussed areas; everyone thinks alike; everyone thinks of standing firm, resisting, not submitting, and insisting on the position of truth; no one thinks otherwise; the people want this too; the people enjoy seeing the united position of the officials and become joyful; because the people are believers. We must not be deceived by the enemy's propaganda that says the people have separated from the system; this is not the case. The people are interested in and faithful to the Islamic system and have truly and fairly shown their loyalty at all stages. We officials have made many shortcomings; however, the people have not fallen short; they will not fall short again; we too must not fall short. Officials of various sectors must present the duties that have been legally assigned to them completely, soundly, and in the best way to the people. This is the right of our people; this is one of the most important elements of our unity.

Any kind of disagreement among officials encourages the enemy to attack. Any emergence of disagreement encourages the enemy to attack. There are those who say: Do not encourage the enemy to attack; I agree; the enemy should not be encouraged to attack; but do you know what encourages the enemy to attack? The most important encouragement for the enemy to attack is to feel that there is disagreement among the officials of the country; that there is disagreement among politicians and political elites. This unity and solidarity that I and all the officials emphasize so much is not a unity and consensus on various political issues. There may be differences in economic and political matters among officials; however, regarding the necessity of resistance and standing firm of the Iranian nation against the bullying and tyranny of the enemy, there is consensus. Everyone must agree on this position, and they do; they must also express this; they must explicitly state this consensus and unity. Anything that disrupts this unity and indicates disagreement will encourage the enemy. Those who broadcast their voices through illegitimate and unworthy channels of enemy-affiliated intelligence organizations in the world and compare the Islamic Republic to the tyrant Reza Khan and the minaret builder Nader, these are the ones who encourage the enemy; these are the ones who encourage the enemy.

The teachings of the Imam are alive in our hearts. Of course, we thank God that He has strengthened our hearts with faith in Himself; we thank God that He has kept the teachings of our great Imam alive in our hearts; we thank God that He showed us that personality who embodied piety, courage, and reliance on God; who embodied God's power in human existence; we saw him, and the proof was complete for us; we thank God that hearts are turning to these truths. Deepen these truths in your hearts day by day with attention to God. Stand firm, for the truth is with you, and victory belongs to you.

O Lord! Send down Your blessings, mercy, and guidance upon us. O Lord! Accept our presence and stance in today's society and what we have said and heard for You and in Your way, and make it acceptable in Your presence. O Lord! Grant honor to Islam and Muslims; crush the enemies of Islam and Muslims. O Lord! Please the sacred heart of the Awaited One, may our souls be sacrificed for him, with us; include Your help and support for that great one.

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