Statements at the Ceremony of the Endorsement of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 25th of the Blessed Month of Ramadan 1434

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

This is a very magnificent and important assembly, and God willing, a very blessed day. The fact that in the sacred system of the Islamic Republic, the executive power is transferred with dignity, calmness, and sincerity among the servants of the system is a very valuable and significant phenomenon; this phenomenon arises from Islamic democracy, which our dear Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) established as the foundation of the Islamic Republic system. The work is in the hands of the people, the choice is in the hands of the people, and the axis and center of all actions is dear Islam; Islamic democracy.

Our nation had not tasted the flavor of people's sovereignty before the Islamic Revolution. From the declaration of constitutionalism in Iran until the year the revolution triumphed, seventy-five years passed; of these seventy-five years, fifty-five years were under the dictatorship of the Pahlavi dynasty; a brutal dictatorship dependent on global powers; first on Britain, then on America. Without regard for the people's wishes, during these fifty-five years, the affairs of the country were in the hands of individuals who had no concern for the fate of this nation, the interests of this nation, or the greatness and dignity of this country, and were attached to their personal interests and the interests of the powers that supported them. Twenty years prior to that, the country was in chaos. That is, from the beginning of the constitutional period until the Islamic Revolution, except for a weak national government that was formed for about two years in between - which was also destroyed by a joint conspiracy of Britain and America - the rest of this time was entirely spent in despotism and dictatorship.

The people tasted the flavor of democracy in the Islamic Republic. From the beginning of the revolution's victory until today, in all important matters, in all fundamental responsibilities of the country, it has been the people who have played a role. Eleven presidential elections, nine elections for the Islamic Consultative Assembly, several elections for the Assembly of Experts and councils; that is, in these thirty-four years, almost every year an election has taken place. The people feel that they are the ones who decide, supervise, and act regarding their own fate in the management of the country and in the grand plans of the country; this is religious democracy.

One of the characteristics of this democracy is that the relationship between the people and the officials is not limited to a mere legal relationship; rather, in addition to that, it is an emotional and faith-based relationship; arising from the beliefs of the people, stemming from the religious insight of the people, and from the commitment of the people to the foundations and principles of the revolution. This is something for which we do not recognize a parallel in the world, where the relationship between the people and the officials is such a strong emotional and faith-based relationship and a sign of adherence to the foundations; and this is what guides the officials. The esteemed President who has officially assumed the heavy and honorable responsibility of the presidency today should pay attention to this point that the people consider the dear country of Iran to be an Islamic country based on Islamic definitions and teachings; therefore, they stand firm.

You observe that yesterday in this country was Quds Day. Who compelled the people to come out into the streets in this hot weather, with their mouths fasting, in Tehran, in the cities, in the hot weather of regions like Khuzestan, to chant slogans based on a belief and to showcase their steadfastness to the world and declare their position regarding the issue of Palestine and the usurping Zionist regime? How do analysts interpret this? How do they analyze this great event? This is an occurrence that happens every year on Quds Day and also on the 22nd of Bahman; this nation comes out with enthusiasm, from all walks of life, young and old, men and women, in all corners of the country, shouting their positions regarding the fundamental issues of the country. This is the same faith; this is the faith-based relationship. No order, no material incentive can draw the people to the fields of presence in this way. Participation in elections is the same. The enthusiastic presidential election this year that you observed, and also similar instances in previous periods, the people create; because they feel a commitment, they feel a duty; their faith-based adherence and commitment draw them to the field of political and social presence; this is the characteristic of religious democracy. This path was laid down by Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) for the people, and the people have faithfully traversed this path until today, God willing, they will continue to do so.

The duty of the officials is a heavy responsibility. In the Islamic Republic, accepting responsibility does not mean seeking power; it means accepting the burdens of serving the people; this is the meaning of accepting hardship; this is the meaning of responsibility in the Islamic Republic system. Officials strive, work, exert effort, and bring their capabilities to the field to alleviate the problems of the people and to bring the country to its goals. Fortunately, the capacities of the country are very abundant; the accumulated efforts of the past are also part of the capacities of this country; these capacities should be utilized by the esteemed officials.

Of course, I recommend both the people to be patient and the esteemed officials to be patient and tolerant. One should not expect that the problems facing the people - whether in the economic sphere or in any other area - will be resolved in a short period. Of course, we should ask the Almighty God to grant the officials success in advancing their work as quickly as possible; however, the nature of major tasks in the country is time-consuming.

Our recommendation, both to the esteemed President and to the government team that, God willing, will soon receive a vote of confidence from the parliament, is to carry out their work with patience and without haste; to take firm and assured steps. In all areas, there is capacity for work, there are lofty goals, and there are signs and good tidings in our country. Of course, the front of the enemies has hostile confrontations. The esteemed President referred to the sanctions and pressures that the enemies of the Iranian nation - which, of course, at the forefront is America - impose on the country. I want to say that it is true that the pressures of the enemies create problems for the people, but they also provide valuable experiences for the officials and the people. The great lesson we have learned from these economic pressures is that we must strengthen the internal structure of power as much as we can; we must empower ourselves from within; we should not rely on the outside. Those who rely on the external capacities of the Iranian nation, when faced with such problems, will be disarmed. The capacities of the Iranian nation are very abundant. We must focus on strengthening the internal structure of national power; which I told the officials of the country: first and foremost, economic issues and scientific issues must be pursued with seriousness.

Political issues are also important matters. I confirm the opinion expressed by the esteemed President regarding a wise approach to various international issues and political matters and international communications. It must certainly be a wise and rational approach. Of course, we have enemies who do not understand rational discourse very well; but what we must do is to be steadfast, with attention to the lofty goals of the Islamic Republic, to know what we are doing; to recognize our goals, to keep those goals in mind, and to pursue them with seriousness.

Yes, just as they said, "the middle nation" is a characteristic of the Islamic community; "And thus We have made you a middle nation, that you may be witnesses over the people and the Messenger may be a witness over you." The middle path is the path of Islam; let us look and see what Islam tells us, what Islam wants from us. The path to success is to seek God's pleasure and to fulfill divine obligations. The Almighty God has specified the paths for us; if we walk along these paths, we will succeed by His grace. Let us not forget that from the very first day this revolution triumphed, there were enemies who openly declared their enmity and said they wanted to destroy this revolution and obliterate the Islamic Republic system. From that day until today, thirty-four years have passed, and day by day, despite the enemies, the Iranian nation has progressed. Not only have they been unable to destabilize the Islamic system, but they have not even been able to prevent the growth of the Islamic system. Today, we have made progress in areas that we could not even imagine in the early years of the revolution; this is due to divine grace and help, the strong presence of the people, and the efforts of the officials who have been working hard during this time. The path to success for this country and this nation is the path of Islam, adherence to the foundations of Islam, adherence to Islamic values, and adherence to what our dear Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) has left us as advice and clear guidelines that are at our disposal.

I recommend to all esteemed officials that, God willing, they increase their cooperation in addressing the problems of the country; the executive, legislative, and judicial branches should cooperate to the maximum extent. The general situation in the Islamic world, in the region, and in the entire world is accompanied by problems; that is, there is unrest in all corners of the world in economic, political, and security spheres. In our region, there are problems galore; on one side, the issues in some Islamic countries; on the other side, the oppressive presence of the Zionist regime, which has been committing atrocities against the people and crimes against the rightful owners of Palestine for sixty-five years. These problems are not related to sixty-five years ago; they continue to this day: they destroy people's homes; they kill children in their fathers' arms; they drag teenagers out of their homes and imprison them; they keep individuals for years without trial or beyond the time they have been sentenced; they exert daily pressure on the people; the people who are the rightful owners of the land. Are these not crimes? Is this not oppression? This is one of the characteristics observed in the region, and unfortunately, the support and backing of some global powers for this oppressive element in the region. These are the conditions prevailing in our region.

The Islamic Republic, with clear positions, abundant resources, and a future filled with many good tidings, must undertake great tasks; first and foremost, addressing internal problems. Great efforts have been made. I must thank the government of Mr. Ahmadinejad for the numerous services they provided and the important work they accomplished. There are many tasks that the officials must undertake from now on, God willing. The flow of progress for the country and the advancement of the Iranian nation and the Islamic Republic is not stoppable. God willing, by divine grace, the work will progress.

Mr. Rouhani - as mentioned - is among the old serving elements of the Islamic system in various sectors; he is a tested individual in the Islamic Republic system; whether during the sacred defense, in the Islamic Consultative Assembly, or in the Supreme National Security Council, he has had many responsibilities, which he has fulfilled with great service; today, he is honored to be appointed to this position by the people's votes as President. We hope, God willing, that the Almighty God assists him, supports him, and guides him.

And everyone should strive to help. I request and insist from all various political currents, and also from all influential personalities who have a voice and an influential presence among the people, to assist the officials, the government, and the President so that, God willing, they can fulfill the heavy responsibilities they have and meet the expectations that exist and that the people have, in the best possible manner.

I ask the Almighty God for success for all the esteemed attendees, for all the Iranian nation, for all the Muslim brothers around the world, and I hope, God willing, that divine blessings during this blessed month of Ramadan encompass all, and that the pure spirit of Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) and the pure souls of the martyrs are pleased with us.

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