Statements at the Holy Shrine of Razavi at the Beginning of Year 91

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 of God among the people of the earth.

I sincerely thank the Almighty God from the depths of my heart for granting us the opportunity and success to once again, in this new year, meet with you dear people, dear youth, both the esteemed people of Mashhad and the honorable pilgrims, brothers and sisters, and to be blessed on this first day of the year by sitting under the shadow of the sanctuary of this great figure and his holy shrine.

I congratulate you on the occasion of Nowruz and the arrival of the new year, and I hope that this year we have entered will be a year of joy, prosperity, happiness, vitality, activity, and success in acquiring true knowledge and divine piety for all the people of Iran.

In this meeting, I would like to share a few points with you, brothers and sisters. The first point is a brief look at what happened last year to us, our nation, and our country, and in relation to us in the world and in the region. The reason I focus on the issues of the past year, particularly the successes of the Iranian nation, is due to the taunts of our enemies and ill-wishers against our dear nation. The leaders of global arrogance, those who lean on the thrones of wealth and power, as well as their petty allies in our region, are trying with all their might—financial, propaganda, and political—to intimidate the Iranian nation and to discourage it. Anyone who has followed the political propaganda of the enemies of the Iranian nation realizes that their practical efforts, economic efforts, political efforts, and security and military threats are all aimed at preventing this active, vibrant, and capable nation, which stands courageously in the middle of the field and is moving forward, from advancing, discouraging it, and frightening it away from participating in this arena. In fact, in response to the slogan "We can," which Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) taught us, the revolution gave us the courage to say, "We can." They want to convince the Iranian nation that you cannot; they are pursuing this goal with all their might. The year 90 was the peak of their activities. And I want to emphasize that despite them, to their dismay, the Iranian nation in year 90, with its movements, its advancements, and its decisions, repeatedly made it clear to the whole world, including its enemies, that "We can."

If I emphasize the positive points and strengths, it is to prove that the Iranian nation utilized these capabilities and, despite the ill-wishers' desire to prove that the Iranian nation cannot, the Iranian nation proved that it can. We are not unaware of our weaknesses; we have weaknesses as well; however, in the final analysis, the strengths far outweigh the weaknesses.

We declared year 90 as the "Year of Economic Jihad"; therefore, I will begin with economic issues. The economic dynamism of the country's officials, alongside the exemplary and commendable cooperation of the people throughout year 90, is noteworthy. Among the issues that can be raised in this regard is the matter of targeted subsidies. All economic experts, whether in previous governments or in the current government, unanimously agree that targeted subsidies are a necessity for the country; everyone has acknowledged this. Despite the fact that this matter has been agreed upon by all, this necessary action had been left undone due to its difficulties and complexities. The government and the parliament, in year 90, under conditions of sanctions, in a situation where the difficulties and complexities of this task are greater than ever, made efforts, took action, and advanced significant stages of this work. The work is not finished; however, what the country's officials—both in the government and in the Islamic Consultative Assembly—have done, along with the support, solidarity, and cooperation of the nation, has made them successful, which is very important and noteworthy.

The main objectives of this law are several fundamental matters that I will mention. Our dear people have heard these, but they must reflect and contemplate. This work is a great task; it is an important task. One of the objectives of this law is the fair distribution of the subsidies that the system and government provide to the people. I previously explained in a discussion that subsidies have always been distributed unevenly and unfairly among different strata of the people; the nature of public subsidies is just that. With the targeting of subsidies, a balance, a fair implementation in the distribution of subsidies has been achieved. And I have reliable news from across the country indicating that this work has played an effective role in improving the lives of the underprivileged classes. This is one of the objectives, which is also the most important goal and destination of this law.

Another objective is the reform of the production structure and the reform of the country's economic structure. The production cycle in the country has been a defective cycle. What we achieved in the country's production was with more consumption, higher costs, and lower yield and output. According to the assessments of economic experts—who all agree on this—targeted subsidies can correct this; it can eliminate the high consumption and low yield from the country's production and balance consumption and yield in production.

Another objective is the management of energy carrier consumption. Because we are an oil-rich country, we have been accustomed from the beginning to consume gasoline, gas, diesel, and kerosene without consideration. Our consumption has been more and more reckless than that of many countries—perhaps in a sense more than all countries. This targeting of subsidies leads the country to economize in the consumption of energy carriers. The statistics that have been published and the accepted statistics show us that until today, if the targeted subsidy law had not been implemented, gasoline consumption in the country would have been nearly double what it is today. When domestic gasoline production does not meet consumption, what must we do? We must import gasoline; that is, the Iranian nation would be under the knife of the ill-wishers and enemies. With this work, savings were made. Today, gasoline consumption in the country is nearly equal to domestic production; we do not need to import gasoline; this is a great advantage for the country. This work was done in year 90; at the same time that our enemies imposed sanctions on us to bring the nation to its knees; however, the youth of the nation made efforts, and with these actions, they were able to thwart the enemies' plans and plots.

Another important economic area that was achieved in year 90 through the efforts of this nation is the field of science and technology. Science and technology are one of the pillars of a nation's economic power. A nation with advanced knowledge and technology achieves wealth, political independence, dignity, and strength. Because of the key nature of the issue of scientific and technological advancement, I am sensitive about this matter. Through various channels, I receive different reports almost continuously, and I can confidently tell you that the level of the country's advancements is far greater than what has been reported to the people so far.

According to reports from reputable scientific centers around the world—this report is not from our own scientific centers—the fastest scientific growth in the world is currently taking place in Iran. In year 90, which was roughly equivalent to the year 2011 AD, the reports from reputable scientific centers indicate that in 2011—three months ago this year ended—the Iranian nation had a 20 percent increase in scientific growth and advancement compared to the previous year, that is, the year 2010 AD. What does this mean? At a time when the enemies of the Iranian nation were betting on the downfall of the Iranian nation and said we have imposed paralyzing sanctions on the Iranian nation, the Iranian nation acted in this way.

Reports indicate—this is also from reputable scientific centers around the world—that in the region, Iran ranks first in scientific level, and in the whole world, it ranks seventeenth. This report comes from those who, if they could provide false reports against us, would not hesitate; yet they acknowledge this. In year 90, we made advancements in biotechnology, in nanotechnology, in aerospace—where the Navid satellite was launched—in the nuclear industry, where the 20 percent enrichment was a product of year 90. This 20 percent enrichment is what the Americans and others conditioned for its production in year 89. We needed to prepare 20 percent enriched uranium for the Tehran research reactor, which is for radiopharmaceuticals, because our 20 percent fuel had run out. They conditioned this work and said you must send the uranium you have produced out; however, we did not accept. The Americans had the governments of Brazil and Turkey mediate to talk to us, to reach an agreement. We accepted. The Turkish and Brazilian officials came here and sat with our president, discussed, and signed a document. After this agreement was signed, the Americans went back on their word! They did not want this contract to be signed; they wanted to extract a lot of concessions, to bully, to extort tribute. Because of the Americans' breach of promise, the governments of Brazil and Turkey were embarrassed before us. The story of this 20 percent is as follows.

Despite all these problems, all these obstacles, our youth said we will do it ourselves. In year 90, they produced the 20 percent enriched uranium for the Tehran nuclear site and announced it to the world; our enemies were left astonished! Although they know that the Tehran nuclear center is specifically for radiopharmaceuticals—meaning for the needs of hospitals and laboratories across the country, where thousands of patients need these radiopharmaceuticals—they still would not sell it, imposed conditions, and extorted tribute. Our youth produced it themselves. It was a complicated task, a difficult task, but they managed it, and various types of radiopharmaceuticals are now produced in this Tehran center with domestic fuel. This was in year 90.

In year 90, in the same nuclear industry, they produced the fuel plate in the country; if I were to explain that as well, it would take too long. In summary, at the time when the discussion of exchanging domestically produced uranium was taking place, they said to give 3.5 percent uranium to Russia, and Russia would provide 20 percent; he would give it to France, and France would produce the fuel plate and give it to you; that is, seven trials of Rustom! Our scientists, our youth said we will produce this fuel plate ourselves; they made efforts, produced it, reported it, and demonstrated it. This was in year 90.

The sixfold increase in recombinant drugs, the increase in the export of knowledge-based goods and services; all of these are related to year 90. These are part of the achievements of the "Year of Economic Jihad." These are scientific advancements, technological advancements, indicating the scientific power of the country, but they also have a direct economic impact on the country. Economic Jihad means this.

At the end of year 90—in the past week—I visited the Oil Industry Research Institute. One observes things there that are similar to what is seen in some other visits to various scientific research centers in the country, and one concludes that these are not exceptions; they are the rule. These important phenomena, which one day our nation could not even dream of, have materialized and become the norm.

I will mention a few of these characteristics and phenomena that I observed there. First and foremost, the spirit and jihadist mindset prevailing over the group. That group of scientists worked with a jihadist spirit; as if they were engaged in jihad, as if they were on the battlefield of jihad in the way of God. It makes a difference whether someone works for money, for position, for fame, or just for knowledge, or whether they work as a jihad in the way of God, striving in the way of God. This spirit prevails over this group and our scientific groups; this is very valuable.

The second characteristic was that I saw our scientists consider the sanctions imposed on our nation as an opportunity. During the lengthy and detailed visit we had, several people told me, "Thanks be to God that they imposed sanctions on us! We came to ourselves, we focused on ourselves, we emerged from within." This spirit of seeing the sanctions imposed by the enemies as an opportunity is very valuable. Therefore, they took internal production seriously, gave the youth opportunities, and allowed for innovations and creativity, and thus the work continues to progress; it is like a bubbling spring.

The third characteristic I saw in them is high self-confidence. Some sectors of the oil industry are solely monopolized by three or four countries in the world; they do not allow anyone else to enter the realm of these industries and technologies. Our country, over these long years, has always asked for these complex and important tasks, taken from them, and paid them money. I saw that they have made efforts and say we can do it, we will do it ourselves, we will build it. This self-confidence for a nation, for the scientists of a nation, for the youth of a nation, is very valuable.

Another characteristic is youthfulness. The work is in the hands of the youth; the reins of affairs are in the hands of the youth. The youth are the center of innovation, creativity, and initiative.

Another characteristic is the connection between industry and university; this has been one of my long-standing wishes. I have always advised various officials in the relevant sectors of past governments to strive to establish a connection between industry and university. Fortunately, I saw that this connection has been established here. Of course, this must become widespread, and all our industries must connect with universities; both our knowledge and our industry will grow. I observed these characteristics there, but they are not limited to this scientific and technological oil center; I have seen this in other visits as well. This indicates that the norm in the country is such; the movement is such.

This was the economic section in year 90; a year in which from beginning to end, the clamor of the enemies and ill-wishers of the Iranian nation was loud; sometimes they threatened, sometimes they exerted political pressure, sometimes they imposed sanctions. The agents of the American government today are working worldwide to make the sanctions effective, thinking they can strike a blow to the Iranian nation and create a separation between the Iranian nation and the Islamic system.

In year 90, there were many other significant achievements; including the active diplomacy of year 90 in regional issues. The holding of the Islamic Awakening Conference, the Palestine Conference, the Disarmament Conference, the World Without Terrorism Conference, the Youth of Islamic Awakening Conference were activities that took place in Tehran; the Islamic Republic became the center of attention for the awakened Islamic world today.

In terms of economic services, tens of thousands of houses and residences were built and made available to the people. These statistics are significant; they are important statistics. Rural housing was built, roads were constructed, highways and freeways were built. These are the dawn of the decade of progress and justice. We said this decade would be the "decade of progress and justice"; this is its beginning. We have passed three years of this decade. In contrast to these enemies, against these malicious and wicked ill-wishers, this active and vibrant nation has been able to bring about these advancements.

One major movement of the Iranian nation in year 90 was the elections of the twelfth of Esfand. Of course, let me say here that the elections are not yet over; in the second round of the elections, our people must, God willing, show the same grandeur and beauty. This election was very significant. I tell you, I have said it before; for about six months, they put all their efforts into discouraging the people regarding the elections. Sometimes they said there would be fraud in the elections; sometimes they said if the people do not come to the elections, the enmity of the enemy will decrease; they carried out various types of propaganda to separate the people from the voting centers and ballot boxes. Sometimes, with the assassination of our scientists—three assassinations were carried out in less than six months—they intended to frighten the people, to discourage and demoralize them. In such an atmosphere, this election took place; but with such participation! This participation of over 64 percent is a very significant figure. I tell you; this figure is higher than the average of elections in the world. In America, the average participation in congressional elections is 35 percent. In the past ten years, the participation of the American people in their congressional elections and national assembly and senate has not reached 40 percent. Well, compare this with the Iranian nation—this vitality, this presence, this assertion of existence—then the significance of the matter becomes clear. They wanted to make the twelfth of Esfand a day of disappointment for the Iranian nation and the Islamic Republic with these pressures, with this psychological atmosphere, with these threats, with these assassinations; however, contrary to their wishes, to their dismay, this day became a day of pride for the Islamic system and the Iranian nation. This election acted like a powerful and honest media outlet. They distort the news from Iran, transmit false events from inside Iran, keep the true news hidden, but they cannot deny this election; it has occurred, it is before everyone's eyes. This election, as a large and powerful media outlet, was able to showcase the Iranian nation and the Islamic system to the world.

Well, these were the events of year 90; a year in which the enemies invested so much to strike a blow to the Iranian nation and the Islamic system. These are part of the achievements of year 90. Why do they act with such enmity? Let me say this point; the pretext for enmity varies at different times. Since the nuclear issue was raised, the pretext for enmity has been the nuclear issue. Of course, they know and even admit that Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons. The reality is just that. For our own reasons, we are in no way seeking nuclear weapons; we have neither produced them nor will we produce them; they know this, but it is a pretext. One day this issue is a pretext, another day human rights is a pretext, another day some internal issue is a pretext; but all of these are pretexts. What is the main issue? The main issue is the powerful protection of the Islamic system over the vast wealth of oil and gas in this country. Today and tomorrow—just like yesterday—the economic and political power, and consequently the scientific and military power, is dependent on energy, on oil. For decades to come, the world will need oil and gas; this is a certain matter. The arrogance and arrogant powers know that their lifeblood depends on oil and gas. The day they can no longer obtain this cheap oil, the day they are forced to concede for oil and gas, and to abandon their bullying, that day will be disastrous for them.

On the other hand, Western countries are facing problems regarding oil resources, and their problems will increase day by day. The oil resources of European countries and generally Western countries will be exhausted in some four years, some six years, and some nine years; therefore, they will be forced to use resources that are not their own. The United States, which today has about thirty-some billion barrels of oil reserves, according to calculations made by our experts—which are based on the statistics of the Americans themselves—its oil will be exhausted by the year 2021, that is, in nine years. The oil of the world, which today more than fifty percent exits from the Persian Gulf, will then depend on three major oil sources in our region and in the Persian Gulf; of which, of course, one of the three sources is Iran, which I will now mention. Among all the countries in the world—this is no longer related to the Persian Gulf—the country that has the most combined oil and gas reserves is the Islamic Republic of Iran. Some countries have more gas than us, some have more oil than us. We are the second country in gas reserves—Russia is first, then us—and we are the fourth country in oil reserves; three countries before us have more oil reserves than us; however, if we consider oil and gas together, the Islamic Republic, your dear country, has more resources than all other countries in the world according to what has been discovered so far; this is very attractive for oil consumers in the world, for the arrogant powers whose lifeblood depends on energy carriers, on oil and gas. Therefore, Iran is a country with such wealth. They will run out of oil in four years, in ten years, in fifteen years; however, the Islamic Republic—according to the resources discovered so far—has oil and gas for another eighty years; this is very attractive. A country at the peak of oil and gas wealth; well, what do the arrogant powers want? They want this country to be under a government, under a system that is like wax in their hands; like some countries in the region. These countries have oil, they have a lot of it, but they are like wax in the hands of the Americans: produce this much, yes; set this price, yes; sell it here, do not sell it there, yes. If in the wealthy country of Iran, where the peak of oil and gas wealth belongs to it, there is a system in power that protects this national wealth with pride, does not allow for plunder, does not submit to the policies of the enemies, well, they will act with enmity against this system. Therefore, enmity with Islamic Iran is due to this.

Those who think that if we retreat in the nuclear energy issue, the enmity of America will end, are oblivious to this truth. Their problem is not the nuclear issue. There are countries that have nuclear weapons; there are some in our region; they are not bothered at all! The issue is not nuclear weapons or the nuclear industry; the issue is not human rights; the issue is the Islamic Republic, which stands like a lion against them. If the Islamic Republic were also willing to betray its own people, to submit to them like some of the regimes in the region, they would not have any issue with it. Their issue is the excessive demands of the arrogant powers; this is the reason for enmity with the Iranian nation.

Of course, the Americans are making a mistake. They think that with hostility, with enmity, with threats, they can force the Islamic Republic to retreat or eliminate the Islamic Republic; this is a great and gross error; they will pay for this mistake. They can treat the Iranian nation with respect, they can be satisfied with their rightful claims, they can see and recognize the catastrophe that awaits them. The Western countries do not allow their people to be informed about the future catastrophe of oil. They do not want their nations to understand what awaits them in the matter of oil and energy carriers; they do not want to tell their nations this. They think that with hostility towards the Iranian nation, they can advance their agenda, but they cannot.

Let me also tell you, dear brothers and sisters! Dear Iranian nation! America, with all its displays of power, with all its noise and commotion, is today in a position of weakness and instability. I do not want to rely on behind-the-scenes news or superficial matters; my account is a straightforward one. Look, the current president of America came to power with the slogan of "change." What does change mean? It means we have a situation that is very bad, and I want to change that situation. He came into the arena with this slogan, and the people voted for him because of the slogan of change; otherwise, the racist people would not have voted for a person of black descent; however, they voted for him, hoping for change. Well, the fact that the slogan of "change" has such an effect on the people indicates the current bad situation. That is, the situation that was prevailing when this man was nominated for the presidency of America, according to the admission of the American people, was a bad situation. He promised that it would change. Thus, the badness was confirmed. We do not want to say this; the American people themselves have admitted that their situation is bad. Well, now this man has come to power; has he created change? Has he been able to change that bad situation? Today, America has fifteen trillion dollars of troubles and debts. These debts are either greater than or equal to the gross national product of this country; this is a misfortune and trouble for a country. And as for their political situation: they were forced to leave Iraq without any achievements. In Afghanistan, their situation is getting worse day by day. In Pakistan, which was one of their allied countries, they are becoming more and more infamous. In Islamic countries, in Egypt, in North Africa, the Americans have completely lost their prestige. In addition to all this, the Occupy Wall Street movement has emerged in the cities of America. Is this a good situation? This is a straightforward account; it is not a complicated one. The change was accepted by the American people; that is, the current situation is bad; and that bad situation has not changed until now. Therefore, America is in trouble.

America may create dangers for other countries; it may act irrationally. Of course, let me say this here; we do not have nuclear weapons, we will not build nuclear weapons, but in defense against the attacks of enemies—whether America or the Zionist regime—we will respond at the same level that the enemy attacks.

The Holy Quran has promised us: "And if those who disbelieve fight you, they will turn their backs, then they will not find a protector or a helper. This is the way of God that has passed before, and you will not find any change in the way of God." (1) Nowhere in the Quran does it say that if you start a war, attack, you will certainly be victorious; you may win, you may lose—as was the case in the battles of early Islam, where Muslims sometimes lost when they attacked, and sometimes they were victorious—but it has promised that if the enemy attacks first, that enemy will certainly be defeated. You should not say this is specific to early Islam; no, "This is the way of God that has passed before, and you will not find any change in the way of God"; this is a divine law. The Iranian nation is determined, is vibrant, is not thinking of aggression and invasion; however, it is deeply attached and interested in its existence, its wealth, its identity, its Islam, and its Islamic Republic.

We have set this year's slogan as "National Production"; it has been elaborated as "Support for Iranian Work and Capital." This means that when you consume domestic goods, you are helping the Iranian worker, creating employment, and supporting Iranian capital, fostering growth and development. This is a wrong culture—that unfortunately prevails in some sections of us—that we consume foreign products; this is detrimental to our world, detrimental to our progress, detrimental to our future. Everyone has a responsibility; the government also has a responsibility to support national production, to strengthen national production.

Fortunately, the "Economic Development Fund" has been approved in the policies; the Islamic Consultative Assembly has legislated it. Today, a valuable reserve is at the disposal of the officials; they can allocate it to national production. They must facilitate the work; the parliament must cooperate, and the government must strive; they must be able to promote national production. The people—whether those who have capital or those who have the power to work—must cooperate with diligence. We must produce domestic products that are high-quality, durable, and affordable. As much as we can, we must keep the production costs low. This work requires the cooperation of everyone. Various governmental sectors must cooperate in this regard—both financial and monetary sectors and other economic sectors—the parliament must also cooperate so that this issue can be realized in our country.

The main thing is the people. You must demand Iranian goods. This is not a pride; it is a wrong pride that we prefer foreign brands in our clothing, in our household items, in our furniture, in our daily affairs, in our food over domestic brands; while domestic production is often much better. I have heard that domestic clothing produced in some towns is labeled with foreign brands and returned! If they sell it here, the Iranian buyer may not be inclined; however, because it has a French label, the Iranian buyer chooses that same clothing, that same suit, that same stitching; this is wrong. Domestic production is important. See what the Iranian worker has produced, what the Iranian investor has invested. In terms of consumption, the main work is in the hands of the people; this is part of the reform of consumption patterns that I mentioned to the Iranian nation two years ago, and part of the economic jihad that I mentioned last year. National production is important; this must be targeted.

I also want to make a political recommendation. My dear ones! Brothers! Sisters! Throughout the country, today we need unity and cohesion. There are many pretexts for disagreement. Sometimes in a matter, the opinion of one person or two people is not the same; this should not be a pretext for disagreement. Sometimes someone has a tendency that another does not; this should not be a cause for disagreement. Opinions, views, all are respected. Disagreement within, internal disputes, lead to failure. The Quran teaches us: "And do not dispute, lest you fail and lose your strength." (2) If we quarrel over various issues—political issues, economic issues, personal issues—the enemy becomes emboldened. A portion of the audacity that the enemy gained in past years was due to disagreements. Amir al-Mu'minin (peace be upon him) teaches us; he says: "The one who seeks the truth and misses it is not like the one who seeks falsehood and finds it." There are two types of opponents. One opponent is seeking the truth; he too is seeking the Islamic Republic, he too is seeking the revolution, he too is seeking religion and God, but he has taken the wrong path; we should not act with enmity towards him; this is different from someone who moves against the Islamic system with a hostile intent. Soften your hearts towards one another, treat each other more kindly.

These electronic and internet media have unfortunately led individuals to speak recklessly against one another, to speak ill. There must be some kind of arrangement from the authorities of the country for this as well. However, the main thing is that we, the people, must commit ourselves to Islamic ethics; we must commit ourselves to the law. Now, this statement of mine should not be a pretext for some to criticize the revolutionary youth as radical youth; no, I consider all the zealous, faithful, revolutionary youth of the country as my children and stand behind them; I support the revolutionary, faithful, and zealous youth; however, I advise everyone to behave in accordance with Islamic ethics; to observe the law. Everyone must observe the law. The embodiment of the revolution is in the law of the Islamic Republic. The authorities of the country must also do the same. The government must respect the parliament's boundaries, and the parliament must respect the boundaries of the government and the president; they must be together, alongside each other. This does not mean that everyone should think the same; it means that if they think differently, they should not engage in conflict. Any form of disagreement among us, any form of quarrel and dispute among us, encourages and pleases the enemies.

I hope that the year 1391, which has begun today, will be among the years of vitality, hard work, success, and happiness for the Iranian nation.

O Lord! By Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, keep our dear youth, our dear nation steadfast on the straight path. O Lord! Crush and subdue the enemies of this nation. O Lord! Bring this dear, striving, and resilient nation to its great aspirations. Make the heart of the holy Imam of the Age pleased and satisfied with us; make us among those who are included in the prayers of that great figure.

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