Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Meeting with Families of Martyrs of the Armed Forces

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

I extend my greetings to all the honorable attendees - the esteemed families of the martyrs. I hope that the Almighty God, by the blessings of the sacred days and nights of the month of Rajab, grants all the hearts filled with faith and all of you esteemed families and survivors of our dear martyrs His special grace and mercy.

These days and nights are very precious; they are the days of the blessed month of God. The month of Rajab is a valuable opportunity for all faithful hearts to strengthen their relationship with God. A person is in need of this spiritual and soulful connection. A heedless heart is exposed to the onslaught of Satan, and when Satan gains control over the heart and soul of a person, evil and corruption arise in the world. The deep and true remedy for confronting any evil and corruption in the world is to connect with God and to safeguard one's heart and soul from the influence and dominance of Satan. If Satan did not gain control over the hearts of those who are the source of great impacts in global societies, the world would see peace, and people would enjoy security and health. All of humanity's misfortunes stem from distance from God. Therefore, in Islam, special opportunities for connection with the Almighty God have been designated. One of these opportunities is the month of Rajab. Value the month of Rajab. All the supplications that have been revealed in this month are lessons; they are not merely lip service. Recite these supplications with a sincere heart and with awareness of their profound meanings.

If a Muslim - young or old, man or woman - strengthens their relationship with the Almighty God during the month of Rajab and then the month of Sha'ban, they will arrive at the month of Ramadan with readiness; then Ramadan becomes a divine feast. A person must prepare themselves and then enter the feast:

Cleanse yourself and then walk into the tavern.

A person must perform this cleansing in the months of Rajab and Sha'ban so that they can enter the divine table during Ramadan and benefit from it. If we benefit from Ramadan, then our actions, morals, perspectives, and thoughts will show that we have progressed; we become the judges of our own progress and recognize our advancement. We do not conduct these tests, and then we feel the misfortunes and hardships within ourselves and in the atmosphere of society. Everyone - especially the families of martyrs - must consider the month of Rajab as valuable.

Martyrdom and martyrs are among the most prominent topics in Islam. Our martyrs are not those who were killed in an expansionist war. They differ from those who are casualties of ordinary wars in many parts of the world and fought to encroach upon the soil and sanctity of others. Where is this, and where are our martyrs!? They attacked the country, independence, and dignity of this nation; they shouted against us; all the great powers united against us; those who always speak of peace and today more than ever utter words of peace and security equipped one of the most tyrannical governments against us; they attacked our homes, cities, villages, roads, and facilities and breached our borders. If the armed forces did not equip themselves against the enemy and if the people of Iran did not stand alongside the armed forces and in the framework of the Basij to prepare for sacrifice, do you know what would have happened to the country? Do you know how the dignity, honor, and pride of this great nation would have been trampled by the enemies? The warriors, especially our dear martyrs, have a right to life over this nation and over all of us. The martyrs are those who showed more courage and bravery than others; they shielded their chests, did not fear danger, and attained martyrdom; some ascended to the divine paradise, and some became disabled; in reality - as it is said and is a correct expression - these martyrs are alive.

In these days and years, which have been secured by the blood of martyrs and the injuries of the disabled and by the blessings of the struggles of the warriors, our country enjoys security and comfort. Those who speak against the armed forces and the Basij should know that they are not serving the interests and future of the country. The armed forces - whether the organized armed forces or the Basij members who are prepared to enter the field of danger and defend each and every person and the borders of the homeland - are among the most cherished segments of society. Everyone needs them; the day of danger will reveal this.

The enemy, in its cultural onslaught, tries to undermine the dignity and credibility of our people; in fact, it seeks to break resistance and destroy the fortifications. The most important fortress of a person is their faith, motivation, and love. Do not allow this fortress to collapse and be destroyed in hearts.

Martyrdom is a fragrant and aromatic flower that only the chosen hands of God among humans can reach, and only their nostrils can smell it. Families of martyrs should take pride in their martyrs. The suffering wives, grieving fathers and mothers, and children who have not seen their father's shadow have endured these pains; but now they feel dignified. Your fathers, husbands, and children were the ones who were able to bring this country - which today, thanks be to God, is cherished - to this dignity. If they had not been there, our situation would have been different.

Today, influenced by the events that occurred in some cities of America, issues are being raised in the world. Waves of global propaganda and political movements are constantly blowing in the furnace of one-sided propaganda. Means of mass communication are in the hands of a select few. Newspapers, radios, and televisions in the world are in the hands of capitalists, tyrants, and oppressors; they are not in the hands of the general public and enlightened, righteous, and wise individuals. They insert whatever they desire and according to their interests into the communication channels of radios, televisions, news agencies, and newspapers and disseminate it throughout the world. Some, unfortunately, take them without attention and are attracted to them; some also, unfortunately, assist these one-sided waves arising from selfishness and global arrogance, while it brings them no benefit.

Of course, in these two or three weeks during which the issues of the explosions in America were raised globally, fortunately, the officials of the country made good statements and took good positions; at the same time, I find it necessary to present some points for the awareness of our dear nation - which, thanks be to God, is vigilant:

The first point is that the behavior and statements of the American government and American officials in this matter are very arrogant and haughty and stem from the spirit of global arrogance. They make statements that are not compatible with any logic. Of course, their dignity has been greatly damaged, and their security reputation in the world has been severely tarnished; however, this does not justify adopting an arrogant demeanor and an angry face to compensate for a humiliation; that is, people of the world! We are angry; do not speak against our words! This means that no one should dare to utter a word in response to what they say; thinking that they can eliminate independent nations, peoples, and governments from the field with such methods. Among these statements is that anyone who is not with us - that is, with the Americans - is with the terrorists! This is a very wrong statement; no, it is not so. Many are alongside America, but they are more dangerous than all the terrorists in the world. Today, the Israeli government has the most dangerous terrorists within it. Those who are at the head of this government are the ones who have personally ordered and participated in the most catastrophic terrorist incidents; they continue to commit terrorism every day and are alongside America. Therefore, it is not the case that anyone who is with you is not with the terrorists. No; we are not with you, nor are we with the terrorists.

The second point is that from the very first hours of the incident, they created an anti-Islam atmosphere in their country! How did you determine in those first hours that Muslims did this? If your intelligence apparatus is so strong - in those first hours, radios and televisions in America spoke in such a way that everyone believed that Muslims were responsible for this act - why could you not detect an operation of this magnitude, which certainly requires months - some say years - of work? From where did you understand that it was the Muslims? They created an atmosphere in such a way that people in America and some European countries attacked some mosques; they attacked Muslims who had an Islamic appearance, shooting and stabbing them. The President of America, in his first statement, said: This is a crusade! Crusades are wars that Christians launched to take Jerusalem, which lasted two hundred years. Of course, the Europeans were defeated, and the Muslims triumphed and expelled them from there. It is a crusade; that is, it is a war between Islam and Christianity! Why does a high-ranking official - if there is no ulterior motive - speak so indiscreetly? Why did you accuse Muslims worldwide of a terrorist and catastrophic act? They create public opinion against Islam and then officially say: People! Do not attack Muslims! Is it possible? You created an atmosphere in such a way that everyone accuses Muslims and Arabs; you continuously published Islamic and Arab names; you continuously introduced faces with keffiyehs and agals in your newspapers. Among all these accused, was there not one person who was American or Western and had a foreign name? Why did you not publish them? This is a very ugly act, a very bad deed with very long-lasting effects that will not be easily compensated for in the near future.

The third point is that in these matters, the Americans showed an expectation from themselves. They have been attacked; they expect that the whole world should cooperate with them; why? Because their interests have been harmed. Have you ever respected the interests of others that you now expect everyone to respect your interests?! In today's world, does merely having guns and missiles justify a government to declare that whatever I say must be acted upon and nothing else? Do the peoples of the world accept this? This is what has made America detested. Today, look and see in which countries people are burning the American flag. It is not just Iran. The conference that was recently held in South Africa showed the sentiments of people and various organizations and governments around the world. America has made itself detested with these acts of bullying and arrogance. If American interests in the Persian Gulf are threatened, everyone must cooperate; but if the interests of the Gulf countries are threatened, let them be! They have trampled on the interests of various countries - including our country - and now they say the whole world must cooperate with us because our interests have been attacked! This is arrogance.

The next point is that in the minds of American officials, the concept of terrorism is a wrong concept. They misinterpret terrorism; they interpret it in such a way that the mass killings and genocide of the people of Sabra and Shatila - which were two Palestinian camps - in one night by the order of the very person who is now at the head of the usurping Zionist regime does not count as terrorism!

A few years ago, a large group of Lebanese citizens gathered in front of the UN representative's office in that country to complain; however, Israeli helicopters came and opened fire on several hundred people - among them were women, men, children, hungry, thirsty - and killed them all! The Americans do not consider this terrorism! They have come to Lebanon many times and kidnapped or killed individuals; however, none of these count as terrorism! The usurping Zionist government officially decided a month or two ago that elements of the Palestinians must be assassinated - they even used the term assassination - and they did assassinate; they blew up their car and killed several individuals; however, none of these count as terrorism; but the Palestinian people, who rise to defend their land and reclaim their trampled rights, shout and hold stones in their hands, have no weapons, are terrorists! This is the American logic. This is a wrong logic, and the world does not accept it.

The next point is that they say there are no good terrorists and bad terrorists; all terrorists are bad; however, they practically divide terrorism into good terrorism and bad terrorism! In the Persian Gulf, they explode an Iranian airplane with hundreds of passengers without any reason or excuse; they tear individuals apart in the sea and drown them; then they not only do not prosecute or reprimand the commander of that ship, nor do they apologize to Iran, but they reward the commander of that ship! This is good terrorism! The logic is a wrong logic. The concept is a false concept that they expect the whole world to mobilize for this false concept and follow them in whatever they want to do, and the rest should not only not protest but should also help them!

A collection of signs and evidence indicates that behind this display that exists today in the case of Afghanistan, there is something else. The oppressed Afghanistan, without a supporter, is facing the threats of these people; because one person, or ten people, or a hundred people, or a thousand people in this country are accused of having initiated the explosions in New York and Washington; however, behind this scene, there is another issue. First, evidence indicates that the American government intends to do the same thing it did in the Persian Gulf in this region as well; that is, to come and establish themselves in Central Asia and the subcontinent and to open their hands and feet under the pretext that there is no security here. Secondly, their intention is to settle accounts with those who defended these oppressed people in the Palestinian issue. The rest of the issues are the surface of the matter; the essence of the issues is these.

Another point is that they repeatedly stated in their remarks that Iran must provide us with various forms of assistance in this matter! I am astonished at how they have the audacity to ask the Islamic Republic and the people of Iran for assistance!? For twenty-three years, you have inflicted every possible harm on this nation and this country; now you expect them to assist you?! What assistance?! If the people of Afghanistan were not a Muslim nation, not oppressed, and not our neighbor, this request for assistance would be unreasonable; let alone that this nation is an oppressed and deprived nation. Truly, one feels compassion for the people of Afghanistan. Expecting assistance from the Islamic Republic?! No; in the attack on Afghanistan by America and its allies, we will provide no assistance whatsoever.

The bottom line is that we do not consider the American government sincere in the fight against terrorism. They are not honest and do not speak the truth; they have other goals. We do not consider America suitable for leading the global movement against terrorism. America's hands are stained with all the crimes that the Zionist regime has committed in recent years, and in these days, they continue their crimes with complete cruelty and savagery.

Everyone should know - our officials have said this in private meetings and encounters, and I repeat it for the public opinion of the Iranian nation and the world - that the Islamic Iran will not participate in any movement led by America. Of course, the fight against terrorism and insecurity in the lives of human beings is a necessary and obligatory struggle and a jihad. Anyone who can participate in this struggle must do so; however, this is a global movement and must have a righteous leadership.

Our officials have repeated in these past few days that we are ready to assist this movement within the framework of the United Nations and to accompany it. I say: Yes; the United Nations is good; however, it has one condition, and that is that the United Nations must not fall under the influence of America and other great powers; otherwise, if the United Nations - whether the Security Council or its other sections - falls under their influence, it cannot be trusted. We have not had a good experience in this regard in the past.

Islamic governments have a great responsibility in this regard. They must enter the field both as a great human and global movement against terrorism and aggression against human lives and violence against the ordinary and daily lives of human citizens - which is a great responsibility, and the Organization of Islamic Conference has a duty in this regard, and we, as a member of the Organization of Islamic Conference, consider one of the certain duties of this organization to be independent presence in this field - and also because the people of Afghanistan are a Muslim nation and part of the Islamic Ummah, they must be active in this regard. The oppressed people of Afghanistan have committed no sin. Is the blood of those who were killed in the World Trade Center in New York more colorful than the blood of the people of Afghanistan?! Why and for what reason? Because their collars are dirty? Because they have been deprived of health, food, comfort, and security; that too because of the dominance of those who have been nurtured by the great powers for many years? Before the coup of twenty-three years ago, those who were in power were dependent on the great powers. Then, when the communists came to power, they were dependent on the Soviet Union. Then, the people know and see. In recent times, the fate of the people of Afghanistan has always been determined by the interference of powers. The reason for the poverty and backwardness of the people of Afghanistan is these; otherwise, the people of Afghanistan are free, brave, and very talented and have a very deep and ancient culture. We know the people of Afghanistan and have lived together for centuries. We know that they are very talented people. Nothing about them is less than the people of the rest of the world; in many respects, they are even more.

What sin have these people committed that they must be sacrificed for various goals and policies? In this regard, the Organization of Islamic Conference and Islamic governments have responsibilities. They must enter the field wisely and prudently and not allow harm to come to these people. Even if a few terrorists have taken refuge there - we do not know the truth or falsehood of this; it is an American claim - why should their sins be transferred to the people of Afghanistan? Why should the people of this country be trampled?

We ask the Almighty God to increase the dignity of Islam and Muslims day by day and to protect the Muslim nations from the harm of their enemies. Fortunately, our nation and government have followed the correct path with composure, wisdom, and tranquility. After this, this nation and government will continue on the same correct and composed path and will be blessed with the blessings and grace of God and the prayers of the Awaited Savior, may our souls be sacrificed for him.

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