New Year Message of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution

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

O Turner of hearts and sights, O Manager of night and day, O Transformer of years and conditions, transform our state to the best state.

O God, be for Your Wali (Guardian), the Proof of God, Al-Hujjah ibn Al-Hassan (peace be upon him) and his forefathers, at this hour and at every hour, a guardian, protector, leader, supporter, guide, and eye until You settle him in Your land willingly and grant him a long life therein.

I congratulate the arrival of Nowruz and the New Year to all dear compatriots across the country, to all Iranians residing anywhere in the world, and to all nations that honor Nowruz; especially, I extend my congratulations to the dear families of martyrs, to the disabled veterans, to their families, to all the self-sacrificers, and to all activists in various fields. I wish and pray that the Almighty God grants the Iranian nation prosperity, joy, happiness, and contentment in this new year, and that He frustrates the ill-wishers of this nation in their goals and efforts, God willing.

The past year - 1390 - was one of the eventful years globally, regionally, and in our country. What one observes overall is that these events have ultimately been to the benefit of the Iranian nation and in support of its goals. Those who harbor ill intentions against the Iranian nation and Iran are facing various problems in Western countries. In the region, nations that the Islamic Republic has always supported have achieved great goals; dictators have been overthrown; constitutional laws based on Islam have been ratified in various countries; the number one enemy of the Islamic nation and the Iranian people - namely, the Zionist regime - has been besieged. Domestically, in the truest sense of the word, 1390 was the year of the Iranian nation's power. In the political aspect, the Iranian nation demonstrated such presence in the 22nd of Bahman (February 11) rallies and in the elections of the 12th of Esfand (March 2) that it recorded a significant indicator of national power in the history of the region, a feat we have seen less of in the past.

Despite all this enmity, all this propaganda, all these hostile and ill-willed attacks, the Iranian nation was able to show its presence in the arena, its vitality, and its readiness in various scientific, social, political, and economic fields throughout this year. Thanks be to God, it was a year that, despite all the hardships, had great achievements. As previously stated, the conditions were akin to those of Badr and Khaybar; that is, conditions of accepting challenges and difficulties and overcoming them.

As announced at the beginning of last year, 1390 was the year of economic jihad. Although the wise and informed knew that this name and this orientation and slogan for 1390 was necessary, the efforts of the enemies throughout this year also proved and demonstrated this. Our enemies began their hostile movement against the Iranian nation in the economic sphere from the beginning of the year; however, the Iranian nation, officials, and various sectors, with intelligent strategies, were able to confront these sanctions, and their response largely neutralized the effects of these sanctions and dulled the enemy's weapon. 1390 was a year of significant scientific activities; I will, God willing, explain some of the scientific and economic advancements and various efforts for our dear nation during my speech. 1390 was a year full of challenges, a year full of vitality, and a year in which the Iranian nation, by God's grace, was able to overcome the existing challenges.

This year, we have another year ahead of us, and with God's hope and reliance on the Lord, the Iranian nation will again be able to bring many advancements for itself through its activities, efforts, and intelligence. In my assessment, based on reports and consultations with informed and knowledgeable individuals, we conclude that the important area of challenge in this current year - which begins today and at this hour - is the economic sphere. Economic jihad is not something that can be concluded. Economic struggle, a jihad-like presence in economic fields, is a necessity for the Iranian nation.

This year, I will categorize the issues related to economic jihad. An important part of economic issues pertains to domestic production. If, with God's grace and the firm will and determination of the nation and the efforts of the officials, we can promote and advance domestic production as it deserves, undoubtedly a significant portion of the enemy's efforts will fail. Thus, a major part of economic jihad is the issue of national production. If the Iranian nation, with its determination, awareness, and intelligence, along with the cooperation and support of officials, can solve the problem of domestic production and advance in this field, it will undoubtedly achieve complete and serious victory over the challenges that the enemy has created. Therefore, the issue of national production is a significant matter.

If we can promote domestic production, the issue of inflation will be resolved; the issue of employment will be resolved; the domestic economy will gain true strength. It is here that the enemy, upon observing this situation, will become despondent and hopeless. When the enemy becomes hopeless, the enemy's efforts, plots, and schemes will also come to an end.

Therefore, I invite all the officials of the country, all those involved in the economic sphere, and all our dear people to make this year a year of promoting domestic production. Thus, the slogan for this year is "National Production, Support for Iranian Labor and Capital." We must be able to support the work of Iranian workers; support the capital of Iranian capitalists; and this will only be possible by strengthening national production. The government's role in this matter is to support domestic industrial and agricultural products. The role of capitalists and workers is to strengthen the production cycle and ensure the integrity of production work. And the role of the people - which I believe is more important than all of these - is to consume domestic products. We must get used to it, cultivate a culture for ourselves, and consider it an obligation to consume any product for which a domestic equivalent exists and is directed towards domestic production, and to diligently avoid consuming foreign products; in all areas: daily consumables and more significant and important areas. Therefore, we hope that with this inclination, with this orientation and approach, the Iranian nation will also be able to overcome the plots of the enemies and the schemes and tricks of the ill-wishers in the economic sphere in 1391.

We ask the Almighty God to grant success and support to the Iranian nation in this arena and in all arenas. May the spirit of Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) be pleased with us. May the pure souls of our dear martyrs be gathered with their saints.

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