Statements in a Video Conference with the Representatives of the Eleventh Term of the Islamic Consultative Assembly

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 Muhammad and his pure family, especially the Awaited One among the people.

We are grateful to God for granting the Iranian nation the opportunity to form the Islamic Consultative Assembly at the appointed time and to send their elected representatives to this important and influential national assembly. We are also thankful to God for allowing me today, given the current conditions of the country, the situation of the disease, and the existing limitations, to have this meeting with you and to present some remarks. I would like to thank Mr. Qalibaf, the esteemed President of the Assembly, for his very good and indeed important statements. We ask God to grant you all - the President, the Board of Directors, and all the esteemed representatives - the ability to pursue these important and fundamental matters through the proper legal channels and to bring them to fruition, God willing.

First, I will say a few words about this Assembly of yours, then I will present a few remarks regarding the general conditions of the country, and after that, I will have some recommendations and remarks for you representatives, which I will enumerate and present. Finally, if time permits, I will again say a few words regarding the current disease situation in the country - this coronavirus.

Regarding the first matter concerning your Assembly, an important point is that this Assembly - the Eleventh Assembly - is the Assembly of hope and expectation of the people; it is a symbol of the people's hope. Why? Because the people came to the polls in difficult economic conditions and voted for you esteemed representatives; in difficult economic conditions. In addition, various waves of propaganda from abroad by foreign enemies, and sometimes by a small number within [the country], were discouraging and disheartening, and naturally, they should have prevented the people from coming to the elections. Despite all these conditions, the people came to the polls with a considerable percentage - which is still among the good percentages in the world - and elected their representatives and voted for you; why? Because they were hopeful. Despite all these factors that conspired to discourage and dishearten the people from the polls, from the Assembly, and from the elections, the people came and voted with hope for the formation of the Islamic Consultative Assembly and elected you. Therefore, this Assembly is a symbol of the people's hope, a symbol of the people's expectation; this is a very important point.

Fortunately, the formed Assembly is one of the strongest and most revolutionary Assemblies of the revolutionary era. Thanks be to God, it is filled with motivated and faithful forces, capable forces, and young forces. There are many educated and revolutionary young people among you - skilled young people, not distant from executive matters; among your group, there are young people who are both motivated and capable, as well as revolutionary managers from previous periods; a number of managers who have executed and know the execution process, are fully aware of the field of action, and among you are some of them whose presence is valuable; and finally, there are also veterans in the legislative branch; [that is] some who were previously in the Assembly and know the methods of the Assembly's work. The combination of these three groups - those young people, those managers, and these veterans - has fortunately created a very good, efficient, and useful assembly in this Assembly. Therefore, the Assembly is a very good one. Fortunately, this Assembly is also sensitive to the issues of the revolution. In this past month and a half, one feels that they are sensitive to the issues of the revolution. You have acted quickly; both in forming the Board of Directors and in forming specialized committees and appointing the heads of these committees, and thanks be to God, you have advanced the work quickly, and all of this is commendable.

Well! You have four years ahead of you; four years is not a short time, it is a long time. Yes; you are not executors, but you are the architects of execution, and you can have a significant impact on the issues of the country, the progress of the country, and the future of the country, especially in four years; four years is not a short time. Heavy responsibilities rest on your shoulders, dear ones, who are the audience of this humble servant, which I will present in the next section as recommendations. This is the matter related to this Assembly.

As for the general situation of the country, there are problems in the country that are not hidden from you; economic problems. Now, the discussion of culture is a separate matter that requires a broader discussion; today I will focus more on economic issues. There are numerous economic problems in the country, but the country's foundation is strong; this is very important. Yes; there is a disease, but the foundation of the sick is strong and its defensive power is high, and it has the ability to overcome the disease. If you compare the country to the body of a human being, these problems, as I mentioned, are like a disease, but the danger of the disease is not the same for everyone. Well, now there is coronavirus in the country, but the danger of coronavirus is not the same for everyone. If someone is elderly, weak, lacks the ability to strengthen their body, and has underlying diseases, the disease is dangerous for them, it poses a threat, and when a doctor encounters such a patient, they are not very hopeful; however, if this patient is young, has physical ability, and does not have underlying diseases, for example, if they are an athlete and physically strong, this disease exists in them, but the danger for them is not great, and when a doctor encounters such a patient, they approach this patient with more hope. Yes; the country has diseases, but these diseases are faced with abilities that I will refer to now.

The main economic problems that we referred to as diseases, well, the most significant of them is inflation, the decrease in the value of the national currency, unreasonable price increases, problems of production units, and the existence of foreign sanctions - the role of these sanctions should not be overlooked - and the result of these is the hardship of the livelihood of the lower and middle classes. These diseases exist, but the foundation of the country is strong. Why do we say the foundation of the country is strong? Because of the extensive capacities that exist in the country, which Mr. Qalibaf referred to some of these capacities. Some of these capacities are natural, some are human. Therefore, you see that because of these capacities, during the most severe sanctions and comprehensive pressures that arise against the country in the economic field, the country has been able to create several thousand knowledge-based companies, establish hundreds of infrastructure projects, and during this period of sanctions and with the decrease in oil revenue, accomplish a great task such as the creation of the Persian Gulf Star Refinery; a movement of this magnitude, and numerous works have been done in the fields of energy, water, and electricity; many inaugurations are taking place that you see; these are real, these exist, work is being done. In the field of military industries, astonishing works are being done, and similarly in the field of space issues. Our enemies, our opponents, those who imposed these sanctions and hoped to bring Iran to its knees because of these sanctions, are the same ones who confess and admit that they have not been able to, and the country stands on its own; this indicates that the foundation of the country is very strong.

These things we have mentioned are part of the capacities of the country. Now, consider material capacities such as mines, forests, geographical location, climatic diversity, up to the issue of history and national identity and the like. All of these are very important and fundamental capacities that in our country, some of these capacities are exclusive; that is, no other country has them, we are fortunate to have them. These are material capacities, but alongside these, there are also spiritual capacities. I insist that we pay attention to these spiritual capacities, seek assistance from them, and actualize those that need to be actualized. These spiritual capacities of our country are mostly or almost all rooted in religious faith and revolutionary faith; that is, the religious and revolutionary faith of the people is strong, creating a capacity, generating abilities in the country that can be utilized. Throughout the revolution - from the beginning of the revolution to the period of the imposed war to today - we have seen examples of it. The most recent example of these important national capacities based on revolutionary and religious faith is the timely and self-sacrificing presence of the people in the first wave of the coronavirus. Was this a joke? The medical groups were the frontline fighters; behind them, a vast multitude of people, young people, entered the field in various places and in various forms and served and worked, and their work that day was effective in alleviating the suffering of the Iranian people against this dangerous disease. Or in the movement of charitable assistance; the people were asked to enter the arena of helping the weak members of society. Of course, even if we had not said so, the people had already entered; they had entered before we spoke, and then in a widespread manner across the country, you saw what great works were accomplished, what valuable services were provided to weak families that took place on the eve of the blessed month of Ramadan. These are the spiritual capacities of the country, these are important things. Another example of this spiritual capacity is shortly before these events, related to the astonishing movement of the people in the farewell of Martyr Soleimani. You saw what the Iranian nation did; what they did in Tehran, what they did in various cities, how the people faced this important issue - the martyrdom of a prominent commander. It is a mistake to think that this was merely an emotional movement; yes; emotions had an impact, but this movement was far beyond a mere emotional movement; it demonstrated the people's faith in jihad. The people showed that they believe in jihad in the field of resistance, in struggle, in resistance against global arrogance. The people showed that they respect someone who is the embodiment of national power and the jihadist power of Iran. Martyr Soleimani was the embodiment of this power, showcasing Iran's national power to the enemies of the country and the enemies of the revolution throughout the region; the people respected this. This issue is very important; such a capacity is very valuable; it showed how much importance the people attach to their national hero; it was a slap in the face of those who speak nonsense about this brilliant figure, like the officials of America and others at the global level. There are numerous other examples of this spiritual capacity and the spiritual presence and readiness of the Iranian nation, all of which are rooted in Islamic faith and revolutionary faith; these cannot be denied; if someone denies them, it is as if they are denying the sun at noon. You see that throughout these years, wherever the system faced a problem, the people entered the field; where some, incited by enemies - whether in 1999, 2009, or in subsequent years - made a move that was detrimental to the system, it was the people who were able to come to the forefront and discourage the enemy. A capacity greater than this? A strong foundation better than this? This is the strong foundation of the Iranian nation. Therefore, these realities that one sees and understands indicate that the foundation of the country is strong in the face of these various events.

Our problems are indeed due to our own negligence: "Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea because of what people's hands have earned"; we have been negligent in some places, we have been inattentive. For example, consider that we did not pay attention to production, we did not pay attention to investment, and suddenly we faced the failure of factories, for example, or consider the problems of production in the country. Well, when one does not work, the result of not working is evident. In those areas where we, the officials, have been inattentive - over the years, of course - the results will be this. If this spirit of self-reliance and national self-confidence - which fortunately has gained popularity today, especially among the educated and determined youth - and this trust in domestic forces in the economy continues in this way, and the illusory hopes that one sometimes observes outside the borders, which condition the country's economy based on the decisions of foreigners, if this does not exist or weakens and national confidence increases, in my opinion, all these problems that currently exist in the economy are solvable and can be resolved. We must utilize this strong foundation of the country. And now, if you pursue the same matters that were mentioned in Mr. Qalibaf's statements and similar ones, God willing, with strength and seriousness and within the limits of the responsibilities and legal channels of the Assembly, the problems will be resolved; I am confident that all these problems are solvable.

As for the responsibilities of you dear representatives, which is actually the main discussion here, I do not want to speak too much. I will present a few points as recommendations. The first point is that dear brothers and sisters! Purify your intentions and work for the people. In the parliaments of the world, a lot is said in the name of the people, but work is not done for the people. A degenerate parliament is one where personal and factional issues have more influence than national and public issues. This is the first issue, the first recommendation. For God, that is, truly with a pure intention, decide to work for the people. Do not become a prisoner of the atmosphere and such things. Sometimes an atmosphere is created that pulls one in a certain direction; no, look and see what the duty is, what is beneficial for the people; even if it is contrary to the prevailing atmosphere, it does not matter, pursue it. Do not become a prisoner of the atmosphere and, as the saying goes, do not be swayed.

Another point is your oath. This oath that is collectively taken at the beginning of the Assembly is a religious oath and is by no means a mere formality; this swearing creates a commitment. You have committed in this oath to safeguard the sanctity of Islam, to be guardians of the achievements of the revolution; these are included in the text of your oath. You must seriously adhere to this meaning; that is, to be guardians of the achievements of the revolution and to be seriously committed to this oath and to safeguard the sanctity of Islam. Deviating from this oath has a religious accountability, a divine accountability; that is, on the Day of Judgment, God Almighty will question a person. This is not like an ordinary oath; it is a public issue, a people's issue, and one must answer for it, and this oath is a significant one.

My next recommendation is to pay attention to key issues, prioritize key issues. It is sometimes necessary to address secondary and less important issues, but do not deal with secondary issues in a way that hinders serious and focused movement towards key issues. For example, now in the economic realm, if we want to highlight key issues, the issue of production is a seriously key issue that we have declared this year as the year of "production leap"; now we are in the fourth month of the year, it must be shown that this leap has taken place. The issue of employment is among the key issues that, of course, is related to production. The issue of controlling inflation is a seriously key issue; identify the causes of the inflation and price increases and address these causes. The management of the monetary and financial system is among the key issues; the non-dependence of the country's economy on oil is among the key issues; these are important issues. These are in the economic fields.

In the realm of social issues and others, the issue of housing is a seriously important and key issue; in the household expenditure basket, housing has a very significant share, and the issue of housing is very important. The issue of youth marriage is very important; it is among the issues that should not be neglected, and ways to facilitate marriage and enable marriage for young people must be anticipated. Some of these ways do not even require financial costs; they only require decision-making and attention. The issue of childbearing and the issue of generations is very important; this is a topic that I have repeatedly emphasized in recent years, but unfortunately, when one looks at the results, it becomes clear that these emphases have not had a significant impact. These need laws, they need serious follow-up from the executive bodies, and the issue of childbearing must be regarded as important, and we must fear the aging population. Now, we do not care about foreigners; the enemy is the enemy; however, some unfortunate misjudgments are observed within; I read somewhere that they say, "Sir! The aging population is not a problem"! How can it not be a problem? One of the most beneficial assets of a country is a young population, which we have fortunately enjoyed since the beginning of the revolution until today, and if we are not to enjoy it in the future, we will certainly fall behind. The issue of managing cyberspace is among our important issues; this issue is not a long-term issue; it is a short-term and medium-term issue and among our immediate issues that must be addressed, and there are other key issues. Pay attention not to get caught up in the margins, not to get caught up in secondary and non-priority issues.

Another recommendation is the issue of interaction and synergy with the other branches. The overall plan for interaction, in my opinion, is this: from the two branches of the executive and judicial, their interaction must be that they must fully implement your resolutions; that is, delay in implementing the Assembly's resolutions is not permissible, and neglecting the Assembly's resolutions and disregarding them is not permissible; those two branches are obliged to implement your resolutions. From your side, the interaction must be that you approve resolutions considering the capacities of the country. There are many things that one wishes to approve, which is very good, but the capacity of the country, the capabilities of the country, and the realities of the country do not respond. Attention must be paid to the capacities of the executive and judicial branches and the capacities of the country and existing realities, and based on these, resolutions must be produced, and this, in my opinion, can create a good interaction from both sides.

Also, take care of your relationships with the government officials; because you deal with government officials. One of the good things has been that the esteemed ministers have come to the Assembly and explained the situation of their respective sectors to you; one of the good things that has been done in this past month and a half. However, these relationships with government officials must be both lawful and religious; they must be legal and religious. That is, questioning, inquiry, and the like that are mentioned in the law are your rights, you must carry them out, but insults, curses, and unfounded accusations are not your rights, and some of them are religiously forbidden and not permissible; it is absolutely not permissible to insult or curse a minister, for example, or to accuse them; this is absolutely not permissible. Therefore, distinguish between what is your duty and what is forbidden for you. The Sharia and law have defined certain things as your obligations, and certain things as your prohibitions; you must pay attention to both the obligations and the prohibitions. Emotional reactions should not be made, illogical reactions should not be made; the reaction should be composed, wise, justifiable, even if strong. Sometimes you may not agree with the other party's opinion at all; that is, you completely reject it; there is no problem, but the opposing opinion must be expressed in such a way that someone observing from outside the Assembly sees that you are right; that is, with composure and wisdom.

In the context of cooperation with the branches and with government officials, there are two other points that I will also mention. One point is that experience has shown over these many years that conflicts and disputes at the top are detrimental to public opinion; they upset the people. Yes; the people expect you and the government or the judiciary to express and pursue the truth, but they do not expect you to argue with each other and grab each other's collars; the people do not like this at all, and tensions at the heads of the institutions especially upset the people, annoy them, and have a negative impact on public opinion.

Secondly, today you observe that the treacherous enemy, (the enemy is not just America; America is the most wicked and vile of them, but it is not just America; the enemy is a front) has concentrated all its forces to force the Islamic Republic to retreat. Of course, this is also one of our honors; that the powerful political and economic fronts in the world gather all their strength to come against a person, indicates the power that exists within you. If you were not strong, if you were not powerful, they would not need to gather such a multitude and bring all these forces and black troops against you; this indicates that you are strong. However, the reality is that the enemy has brought all its forces to the field; its economic force, its political force, its propaganda force. You see; it could be said that every day or at least every two or three days, these American liars, that foreign minister and the other one and their president, certainly say something about Iran; either in an interview or in an international gathering or, if nowhere else, at least in the Zionist lobby, they say something, a nonsense, a slander, a silly statement against the Islamic Republic of Iran. Well, this indicates that they have seriously decided to bring all their propaganda capabilities into the field; in addition to economic capabilities, they are also bringing these kinds of capabilities into the field. Well, in these conditions, what is our duty? Our duty is internal unity and internal cohesion, which demonstrates unity against the enemy. Yes; we have differences of opinion, we have differences of views, some of our individuals may not even accept each other, but against the enemy, we all join hands, we speak with one voice, we shout one message, we take one action, we make one movement.

I certainly consider the supervisory role of the Assembly to be very important; that is, the supervisory role of the Assembly is a fundamental and vital role and should not be neglected. However, I believe that this role should be fulfilled with composure; it should be carried out wisely and with composure and without margins.

And one point, I address both you and the government officials; collectively pay attention. The last year of governments is usually a sensitive year. Well, my experience in this regard is considerable. The fourth year of governments, especially if it is the second fourth year, is a very sensitive year, and usually in this year, if care is not taken, the work will weaken. First, all governments are obliged to work and strive until the last day; until the last moment. I firmly believe that governments must work until the last day of their responsibility and fulfill their duties, then hand over the trust to the next government, of course, my belief is that with a situation; like an engineer who hands over the building to another engineer in the middle of the work and provides the situation; this is the work that has been done, this is the situation that is currently present. They must be busy working until the last day. In this sensitive situation of the last year of the government, which is the first year of your work and activity, both sides - the government and the Assembly - must strive to manage the atmosphere in such a way that the work is not harmed. Care must be taken; manage the atmosphere in such a way that no harm is done to the important work of the country.

My last discussion regarding the Assembly is that you have two very important centers, each of which has its own special importance. One is the Research Center, which is a center of expertise and is very important; make the best use of this center. In the past, fortunately, in many cases, the Research Center has been used very well; this center has sometimes provided vital expert assistance to the representatives. This center is very important.

The second center is the Center for Monitoring the Behavior of Representatives, which has been established for several years; this is also very important. You are all very good, may God reward you all; however, being good is one issue, and staying good is another issue; we must strive to remain good. All of us are susceptible to mistakes; God forbid, we may have a slip. All of us - I am the same, you are the same - are susceptible; we must take care; both we must take care of ourselves, and "And they advise one another to the truth and advise one another to patience." This Center for Monitoring the Behavior of Representatives is the same "And they advise one another to the truth and advise one another to patience"; it is the same command to good and prohibition of evil, the same social responsibility and mutual support that exists in Islam.

Well; my final talk also concerns the coronavirus. First of all, the renewed spread of the coronavirus brings a deep sorrow to one. That one opens the television and sees that it says today 180 people, a few days ago 220 people [died], one becomes very heartbroken, very saddened; in one day this number! 30 people was already a lot. When it had decreased, it was around 30 people [which] was also a lot. Each of these 30 people has loved ones; they have a father, a mother, a spouse, a child, a brother, friends; they mourn. Now, if this figure reaches, for example, 200 and 180 and 150 and like this, well, it is truly very sorrowful, it is truly sorrowful. I ask all those who can play a role in this regard to play their role in the best way possible.

Fortunately, the medical groups have made sacrifices. The human language is insufficient to express the value of their sacrifices; how many of them became infected themselves and how many lost their lives in the service of the people! These are very valuable, very important. However, they are not the only medical groups; there are various groups that make decisions in this regard and those who implement them, and those who support them [as well]. Many of our young people entered the field in those early months, served, supported, helped them, and then the masses of people. When I see on television that some people pass by and do not wear even this simple thing, this mask, I truly feel ashamed of that nurse who is sacrificing like that - that doctor, that nurse - and then this person, young or old, is not willing to wear a mask; this must be done. This is our first remark. I ask all those who are influential in this regard, whether the executive officials of the country, or individuals who can serve, or the masses of people, to all be active in this regard so that we can cut this chain of transmission in a short period and bring the country to the shore of salvation. At the beginning of the work, we were among the best and most successful countries; today it is not like that. Now, today we are still ahead of many countries, we are better, but the level we had at the beginning is not the same today, and one becomes saddened. This is one point.

The second point is that in these coronavirus issues, the weak classes, indeed the middle classes have really suffered in terms of living and livelihood and the like. The work that started on the eve of the month of Ramadan, that charitable service in which everyone participated, was a very valuable work, it was able to alleviate the sorrows of families. I still believe that this movement of cooperation and charity should be initiated again by our dear people. Of course, it has not stopped, but it needs to grow a little, it needs to develop a little, and once again bring freshness to the atmosphere of the country, make children happy, provide for families, and relieve parents of the worries of their children's livelihood; this is a task that the people can do. Now, how the quality of this should be, how it should be managed, these are not matters that can be managed centrally; these are works that are carried out at the level of the general public, at the level of the country; well, thanks be to God, the country is large, the people are many, at this broad level; everyone can help in whatever amount they can, in whatever way they can. They should not say that now, for example, to a certain family, something reached from two or three sources; well, let it reach; better. If they can do it in an organized and orderly manner, of course, it is better; if not, it does not matter; for example, if a family receives help from two places or three places. They should not criticize that with the situation that exists, some may receive, for example, double; well, let it reach. The only effort should be to ensure that no one is left out; just that. Care must be taken that no one is left out and that the people can, God willing, benefit. This will bring freshness to the country, bless the works, and attract God's grace and favor towards you.

One of the things I would like to emphasize - this is my last remark - is the issue of seeking intercession and prayer. We have stated from the beginning that in this matter, public intercession is very important. It is not limited to this seventh prayer of Sahifa Sajjadiyya that many have read and acted upon; there are various prayers. Pray, ask God, plead, and request from God Almighty. Especially the youth, especially the pure and clear hearts that are like clear water, some hearts are bright; the prayers of these can be fully answered; "The prayer of the midnight can remove a hundred calamities," God willing. We hope that God grants you all success and that God is pleased with the pure spirit of the Imam and the pure souls of the martyrs.

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