Statements in Meeting with Various Segments of the People

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, Abu al-Qasim al-Mustafa Muhammad, and upon his pure and chosen progeny, especially the Awaited One among the inhabitants of the earth.

We welcome all of you dear brothers and sisters who have endured the hardships of travel from various cities and have come here, gracing our Hosseiniyah with your presence and sentiments. Especially to the brothers and sisters who have come from afar, we hope that God's mercy and grace encompass each one of you.

These days coincidentally align with the blessed days of the month of Dhul-Qi'dah and the memorable days of the month of Shahrivar. The blessings of the month of Dhul-Qi'dah are numerous; the memories of Shahrivar are also meaningful and profound. The blessed month of Dhul-Qi'dah is the first of the sacred months; the eleventh of this month marks the blessed birth of Imam al-Ridha (peace be upon him) and the decade of dignity; the twenty-third of this month is a special visitation day for Imam al-Ridha (peace be upon him); the twenty-fifth of this month is the day of Dhu al-Ard, which is a blessed day; the night of the middle of the month of Dhul-Qi'dah is one of the blessed nights of the year, which has specific acts; the Sundays of the month of Dhul-Qi'dah are days of repentance and return, and there is an act that the late great mystic Haj Mirza Javad Agha Maleki narrates from the noble Prophet, who addressed his companions: "Which of you wishes to repent?" All said they wanted to repent - apparently it was the month of Dhul-Qi'dah - according to this narration, the Prophet said that on the Sundays of this month, perform this prayer - a prayer with a specific quality mentioned in his observances. The point is that the days in the month of Dhul-Qi'dah, which is the first of the sacred months, are blessed and full of blessings; we must take advantage of them.

The month of Shahrivar is also a month full of memories. On the seventeenth of Shahrivar in 1357 (1978), just a few months before the victory of the revolution, in this very میدان شهدای تهران (Martyrs' Square in Tehran), the agents of the tyrannical regime opened fire on the defenseless people, killing a large number - the exact number is still unknown to us, but it was a significant number - of people in that square. In this same month of Shahrivar, the cowardly assassination of the President and Prime Minister of the country - the late martyrs Rajai and Bahonar - occurred. In this same month of Shahrivar, the assassination of martyr Ayatollah Quddusi - the Attorney General of the country - took place. In this same month of Shahrivar, the martyrdom of the Imam Jom'e of Tabriz at the hands of the Mojahedin occurred. In this same month of Shahrivar - on the last day of Shahrivar - the military attack of the Ba'athist regime of Saddam on the country occurred. These are strange memories, meaningful, and profound. In all these events, the American regime was behind the scenes; it was American agents who either directly assisted, encouraged, or at the very least turned a blind eye to these atrocities.

Our youth must not forget these memories; one of the things I am concerned about is that this blossoming young generation, which thanks be to God is both aware and insightful, motivated, ready to work, revolutionary, gradually forgets these important events, these great lessons of contemporary history; this is our negligence, the negligence of the responsible institutions; these events must not become outdated; the historical memory of a nation must not weaken. If our youth across the country do not know these events, do not analyze them, do not delve into their depths, they will make mistakes in understanding their country and in understanding the future. The youth must correctly recognize these events and know what happened, what occurred, who was involved; they must understand these matters.

Another massacre similar to the massacre of the seventeenth of Shahrivar occurred on the eighth of Bahman (January 28) in this very میدان انقلاب (Revolution Square) here, which is often overlooked; the agents of the regime attacked the people. From the memories of this American general who came to Tehran in the last days of the previous regime to save it, it is narrated; he says, "I gathered the Shah's generals and told them to lower their gun barrels"; meaning the armed forces of the Shah who faced the people often fired warning shots to scare them, this gentleman advises the Shah's generals and says, "Lower your gun barrels and shoot at the people"; they acted on this order here in this میدان انقلاب (Revolution Square); they lowered their gun barrels, targeted the people, and killed many; but it had no effect, the people did not retreat, they continued. Then one of the commanders of the Shah's army - General Qarebaghi - came to Hauser and said, "Your order was ineffective and could not push the people back." Hauser writes in his memoirs how childish their analyses are! What does this mean? It means [he says] Qarebaghi expected that with one round of shooting, the matter would be resolved; no, it must continue, wherever they encounter the people, they must massacre them! This is America; America had absolute sovereignty in this country for 25 years; it gives such orders to the Shah's generals; in economic, political, security, and foreign policy matters, the American voice was the only voice in Iran; absolute American sovereignty during the tyrannical regime. Such a regime ruled over our country that its officers were also subject to Americans, its Minister of Finance was subject to them, its Minister of Defense was subject to them, its Prime Minister was subject to them, the Shah himself was subject to America; without question! Such a regime ruled over this country.

America acted tyrannically in our country, like Pharaoh: "He oppresses a group among them, killing their sons and sparing their women"; they treated our people this way; the Moses of the time came and overturned and destroyed the throne and fortune of this Pharaoh and his followers; this is the revolution. One year and two months after this incident of Shahrivar - that is, in Aban 1358 (November 1979) - the young followers of our great Imam, the youth following the line of the Imam, went and seized the American spy den; they captured the Americans, bound and blindfolded; this time Moses defeated Pharaoh in this way. Now some say why are the Americans hostile towards Iran? Well, the reason is this; Iran was completely in the grip of America, in the hands of America; all the main components of the country's existence operated under the will of the Americans; the Imam came and, through this people, expelled America from this country; they must be enemies, they must act with enmity; and they are doing so, even now they are acting with enmity.

Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) said: America is the Great Satan; this "Great Satan" is a very profound statement. The chief of all the devils in the world is Iblis; but Iblis, according to the Quran, can only do one thing: he deceives humans; he cannot do more than deceive; he deceives, misleads, and whispers; but America does not only deceive, it also kills, it sanctions, it deceives, and it acts hypocritically; it raises the banner of human rights, claims to support human rights [but] every few days, an innocent, unarmed person is gunned down by the police in the streets of American cities; apart from their other crimes and atrocities. This is also their behavior in Iran during the tyrannical regime and their warmongering, their instigation of warmongering movements like those currently engaged in sabotage in Iraq, Syria, and elsewhere; these are America's actions. Now some insist on beautifying this Great Satan with these characteristics - which are worse than Iblis - and portraying it as an angel. Why? Religion aside, revolutionary spirit aside; what about loyalty to the interests of the country? What about reason? What kind of reason and conscience allows a person to choose a power like America as a friend, as a trusted entity, as an angel of salvation? This is their nature; the truth is this. Yes, they adorn themselves; with pressed suits, ties, perfumes, and outwardly striking appearances, they present themselves differently to simple-minded individuals; the reality of the American regime is this. This is the case for us; it is the same for other countries. The great nation of Iran expelled this Great Satan from the country; we must not allow it to return; we must not let it go out the door and come back in through the window; we must not allow it to gain influence; their enmity does not end.

After the "JCPOA" issue and this agreement, the fate of which is not clearly known here and there, right now in the American Congress, they are plotting against Iran; the news that reaches us indicates that right now a group in the American Congress is busy designing a bill to harm and create problems for the Islamic Republic of Iran; their enmity is like this; it is unending.

These hostilities will continue; how long will they continue? Until you become strong, until the Iranian nation becomes so strong that the enemy becomes hopeless of political, security, military, economic, or sanction attacks, and so forth. We must become strong; we must strengthen ourselves internally. I have repeatedly stated how this strength necessary for the country is secured; firstly, through a strong economy; this resistant economy whose policies have been announced must be pursued with utmost seriousness and without delay in practical and operational terms; well, some of our friends in the government are doing things, thanks be to God; one of these is that the economy of the country becomes strong, the youth of the country do not remain unemployed, the initiatives of the youth do not remain unutilized; this is one way.

Another way is the development of science; the caravan of science must not lose its momentum, we must advance in science, everything depends on science; this is also one of the ways to strengthen.

One of the most important ways to strengthen internally is to maintain the spirit of revolutionary zeal among the people; especially among the youth. The enemies' effort is to raise our youth in a careless manner, to make them indifferent towards the revolution, to kill and eliminate the spirit of epic and revolutionary zeal within them; we must stand against this. The youth must maintain their revolutionary spirit. And the officials of the country must honor the revolutionary youth; all these Hezbollah and revolutionary youth should not be disparaged by some speakers and writers under the name of extremism and the like. The revolutionary youth must be honored, they must be encouraged in their revolutionary spirit; this spirit is what preserves the country, defends the country; this spirit is what comes to the aid of the country in times of danger. These are the three essential factors of national power: a strong and resistant economy, advanced and ever-increasing science, and the preservation of revolutionary spirit among all, especially among the youth; these are what can preserve the country; then the enemy will become hopeless.

America does not even hide its enmity. Yes, they divide tasks; one smiles, one prepares a bill against the Islamic Republic and pursues it; this is a kind of division of labor. They are pursuing something called negotiation with Iran; [but] negotiation is a pretext, negotiation is a means for infiltration, negotiation is a means for imposing demands. We only agreed to negotiations regarding the nuclear issue for specific reasons that we have repeatedly mentioned; well, they negotiated. Thanks be to God, our negotiators also performed well in this arena; but in other areas, we did not allow negotiations and we do not negotiate with America; we negotiate with the whole world, [but] we do not negotiate with America. We are people of negotiation, we are people of understanding; both negotiations at the level of governments, and negotiations at the level of communities, and negotiations at the level of religions; we are people of negotiation and we negotiate with everyone except America; and of course, the Zionist regime is reserved for itself, as the very existence of the Zionist regime is an illegitimate and fabricated state.

Let me say a word about the Zionist regime; after the conclusion of these nuclear negotiations, I heard that the Zionists in occupied Palestine said that with these negotiations, we are free from Iran's concerns for 25 years; we will think about it after 25 years. I respond by saying, firstly, you will not see the next 25 years. God willing, by God's grace and favor, there will be nothing called the Zionist regime in the region in 25 years; secondly, even during this time, the Islamic spirit of struggle and jihad will not leave the Zionists at ease for a moment; they should know this. The nations have awakened, they know who the enemy is; now governments and propaganda outlets and such want to confuse the identities of friend and enemy, [but] they will not succeed. The nations - the Muslim nations, especially the nations of the region - are alert and aware. Well, this is the situation of the Zionist regime and that is the situation of America.

Let me say a word regarding the elections. The issue of elections is one of our current and pressing matters. Of course, some unfortunately started discussing election matters 1.5 years ago, two years before the elections; this, in our opinion, is not expedient; the atmosphere of the country should not be made an electoral atmosphere prematurely; 1.5 years ago - which was almost two years before this year's elections at the end of the year - some began to talk about elections in the media and in discussions. When an electoral atmosphere is created in the country, many of the main issues of society are sidelined and forgotten. Well, the electoral atmosphere is one of competition and conflict; why should we unnecessarily drag this atmosphere of competition and conflict into one or two years before? Starting these discussions too early is not expedient in our opinion. However, now that there are three or four months left until the elections, it is appropriate to make some remarks regarding the elections. Now I will present some points today and in the future, if God grants us life, we will have remarks regarding the elections.

The issue of elections is very important for the country. Elections are the complete manifestation of the presence and choice of the people. The people, with their presence in the elections - whether in presidential elections, parliamentary elections, or Assembly of Experts elections - shape true democracy in this country; this is very important. We have not allowed this to be suspended or delayed in the 36, 37 years since the beginning of the revolution. In various countries, when war occurs or an incident happens, they postpone elections, [but] in Iran, elections have never been postponed even for a day from their scheduled time; at no point in time. Tehran was being bombed, cities in Khuzestan, Ilam, Kermanshah, and other places were being bombed, yet elections were held at the appointed time. It was the same in all corners of the country; in villages and [even] in places where access is difficult. Elections have not been suspended in this country. Some wanted to suspend the elections - in some periods, some political opportunists and politicians tried to suspend or delay the elections - [but] by God's grace, this was prevented and elections were held at the appointed time. This is the importance of elections. Well, that is why, thanks be to God, our elections are a manifestation of democracy.

The Islamic Republic is a truly democratic system. Well, the enemy, of course, speaks; the Americans and their propaganda agents constantly speak against our elections in various ways. The Americans had a presence in Iran for 25 years during the tyrannical regime, [but] the mock and sham parliaments of that time were never criticized by the Americans. If you refer to history and read about the elections during Mohammad Reza's time - and even worse, during Reza Shah's time - [first] when the British were dominant here and then the Americans took over, they never once criticized these sham, mock elections; now they do not say a word against the despotic, dictatorial, and hereditary regimes that exist in this region, but they constantly criticize Iran, where elections have been held continuously and all the pillars of the system - from the leadership of the system and the presidency of the system, to the representatives of the parliament, to the representatives of the Assembly of Experts, to the representatives of city councils - are elected by the people, they constantly object, make false claims, and raise unfounded issues.

Our elections, thanks be to God, have been healthy elections. The point I want to make is that our elections have been elections that, according to internationally accepted standards, are among the best and healthiest elections with high voter turnout. Unfortunately, one of the bad habits that some have inside is to constantly undermine the integrity of elections in every period. They repeatedly raise concerns about fraud, about worries, about what might happen; this is a wrong action. Over these 37 years, the people, due to the trust they have had in various periods and different governments towards the system, have participated in elections and shown enthusiastic presence. Why do some want to undermine this trust with baseless and false concerns that fraud might occur? The people trust the system. When elections are held, they come and vote; why should one undermine this with unfounded and false concerns? Well, it is clear; it will not be allowed; strict monitoring is carried out. One of the greatest blessings of the existence of the Guardian Council is that they monitor; they watch for errors and mistakes and do not allow fraud to occur; other institutions do the same. Over these years, sometimes in some periods, we were informed that elections had issues; we would give orders to investigate, and it would become clear that no, it is not like that. Sometimes there may be a fraud in a corner that has no impact on the outcome of the election - that is not important - [but] elections in all periods are healthy.

The people's vote is, in the true sense of the word, a حق‌النّاس (right of the people); it is a حق‌النّاس. When a brother or sister Iranian participates in the elections and casts their vote into the ballot box, respecting this right is a religious obligation, an Islamic obligation; one must not betray this trust; it is truly a حق‌النّاس. Whatever the outcome of the votes, one must adhere to it; this is also a حق‌النّاس. The reason we stood against those who insisted that the elections of 2009 should be annulled was because we defended the حق‌النّاس. Forty million [people] - the highest turnout in elections - participated in the 2009 [elections]. Well, it yielded a result. Whoever won that election, we would have stood by it and defended it. I defended the حق‌النّاس, I defended the حقّ مردم (right of the people). Again, whenever the people vote - for anyone the people prefer and accept and vote for - I will defend the people's vote; I will stand behind the people. The people's vote is a حق‌النّاس. We should not undermine this trust that the people have in the system with illogical words. Sometimes they criticize the Ministry of Interior, sometimes they criticize the Guardian Council.

The Guardian Council is the watchful eye of the system for elections; such a thing exists in all the world - now its name is something else; here it is called the Guardian Council - they monitor to see if the person entering the election field, the candidate for the election, is qualified or not; and they must ascertain the qualification; if they see that there has been a shortcoming and someone who is not qualified has entered, they prevent it; this is their right, their legal right, their rational and logical right; some make baseless criticisms. Part of this حق‌النّاس is this right of the Guardian Council's vote; this right of the supervisory and effective oversight of the Guardian Council is part of the حق‌النّاس, this must be respected, this must be preserved. Elections are important. This is our current statement regarding elections.

Of course, I believe in the enthusiastic presence of the people; I believe this [presence] preserves the country. In the future, if we are alive, I will speak more about this.

What I emphatically tell you dear brothers and sisters is that the Islamic Republic of Iran, with this people, with this logic, with this constitution, will prevail over all its enemies. The condition is that we trust in God Almighty, strengthen our brotherhood and unity, do not create divisions in the country, do not weaken each other. If we observe this, God Almighty will also take care of us. Whoever supports Islam, God Almighty will support him.

O Lord! Unite the pure soul of Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) with Your saints; unite the souls of our dear martyrs with Your saints. O Lord! Continuously send down Your blessings and graces upon this faithful and righteous nation.

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