Statements in Meeting with a Group of the Country's Scientific Elite

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

Today's meeting with you dear ones was, as always, a very sweet and hopeful session for me. Truly, the main point of hope for the country is the educated and wise youth, especially when this wisdom is accompanied by commitment and a sense of responsibility. Your meeting, dear brothers and sisters, my dear children - which, thanks be to God, was a very sweet and good meeting - strengthens this hope not only in my heart, but also in the hearts of the officials and across the country.

First, I would like to address the esteemed officials - the respected ministers present and the esteemed head of the Elite Foundation; the Vice President and other officials - you must adjust the program and perspective according to these realities. This year, what one hears from the elite scientific youth is noticeably superior, more mature, and deeper than what we heard last year and, by extension, from what I heard ten years ago from our student youth or graduates. I have always maintained a connection with the academic community. You know that I sit with the youth several times a year on various occasions, and we have such sessions; they speak, express their opinions. In my own assessment, independent of the macro or micro planning in the country, I observe a significant gap between what we have today and what we had ten years ago; that is, progress is clearly evident. The esteemed officials should plan for the future considering this reality. The points that these dear youths mentioned here are precisely those points that exist in the mind of anyone who thinks about the scientific movement of the country, its future, and its progress. It is clear that the youth are deeply attentive to fundamental issues.

What one of the dear youths said: "Activities should be based on future needs; outline this future, visualize these needs"; or in this context, another dear youth said: "We should determine our direction of movement ourselves; not that we become the completers of the puzzles of their future lives as outlined by others - the Westerners - but rather see what we need and fulfill that need"; these statements are very significant; they are very important. These are the things that any aware, thoughtful, and committed person understands when looking at the broader picture of the scientific movement of the country; however, understanding alone is not enough; although it is necessary, planning based on it is what matters. And regarding the cultural development for the elites, several of these dear youths here mentioned that we should create a culture, expand the culture of commitment among the elites in society, not just have expectations. Of course, expectations are logical and appropriate; they are not unreasonable; but alongside this expectation, there should be a sense of commitment, a sense of indebtedness; what duty do I, as an individual from this vast collection of the country, have? What should I do? These are very important. The statement that was made: "We should place the element of religious spirituality - not spirituality detached from religion, which is essentially not spirituality, but an illusion - as a main element in the scientific movement and research" - which one of the ladies expressed here - is completely correct. This is one of the fundamental points that must be considered. If this happens, the moralization of society - which this dear youth recently expressed as our expectation and which we repeatedly emphasize - will also be realized; because one cannot advance with slogans; one must act; one must move towards the goal that has been outlined.

When I hear these statements from you, I feel more hopeful and I am certain that this society, this system, this collection, with its tangible material and spiritual, scientific and ethical movement, will undoubtedly reach its goals, and this is what has secured the Islamic Republic.

Now, they referred to recent events and issues. Well, there is much to say in this regard; do not think that what the media says is all there is to say; no, there is much more to discuss. They said: "A chest full of words surges in our mouths." It is not the case that everything one feels has been said or can be said. There are many words to be spoken. You youths, thanks be to God, are intelligent and talented; gradually many truths will become clear to you. I see that in these recent political events and in the overall events of these thirty years, the country is gradually becoming a resilient, anti-fragile, anti-bomb entity; that is, the Islamic Republic. This is no joke. Do not underestimate the security, espionage, and propaganda capabilities of various security and propaganda services around the world. Everyone feels this - perhaps those who have less expertise in various fields may see it less - do not underestimate Hollywood. The influential artistic power - just as one of the ladies mentioned - in the West and the very precise arrangement of propaganda letters in the Western world should not be underestimated. All this immense force, along with endless wealth, and the vast political and propaganda apparatuses, have targeted the Islamic Republic. Today, you will not find any other country in the world that is under such attacks. And the Islamic Republic is resisting. Is this a joke? This resilient, fortified entity is resisting. This is no small matter. This is not an illusion; our dear youths should know this. Do not think that I am upset by hearing such words; no, I am upset that these words are not spoken.

In student sessions, at the university where you are, sometimes when I see that some people, out of consideration, respect, or whatever, do not say some of these words that they think I do not like, I am upset by their silence; I am not upset by their speaking. I wish there was an opportunity to speak, so that one could open the pages of the book of words piled on top of each other to clarify many truths. The future, of course, will see such things happen. It is not the case that you think that the conspiracy against this country is an illusion; no, it is a reality; conspiracies are being plotted from all sides. It may be that the person who becomes the axis of these conspiracies within the country does not even realize it.

Understanding this requires insight. Some people lack this insight. We have experienced people; they do not understand to whose tune they are dancing. However, this reality does not change whether they understand or do not understand; whether they know or do not know. These conspiracies exist. At the same time, this country, this system, not only does not become weak, but its scientific community, its advanced community - which you youths are part of - is clearly advancing today compared to ten years ago. What does this mean? This means legitimacy. This means authenticity. This means being rooted. "Have you not seen how God has struck a parable? A good word is like a good tree"; our belief is this. We work with belief and with heart. I do not deny the shortcomings; more than many critics, I am aware of the shortcomings; however, the way to overcome these shortcomings is not what is imagined; it is not about announcing that, for example, a certain place is like this; no, many things cannot be resolved by announcement; they must be resolved by action. Words alone do not solve problems; as you have seen, mere verbal disputes and propaganda do not help solve problems. Just as you saw in the electoral issues, well, electoral propaganda should be conducted a month or twenty days before the elections; however, it started before the New Year! Even the television that some friends criticize unfortunately reflected this. I was not in agreement with this either. Do not think that just because I appoint the head of the media, I review and sign off on every single program. No, I am not satisfied with many of the media's programs; among them, I was not satisfied that from three months before the elections - the elections were on the 22nd of Khordad - starting from Esfand, or even earlier, some of the electoral and professional trips and demonstrations that were made were broadcast on television, which unfortunately were broadcast; because of this, to show that we are open-minded! These are illusions; this is creating turmoil within the country. Intellectual turmoil is different from proper discussions. I said to create a platform for free thought in universities. Well, why did you youths not create it? You should create a political free thought platform, a knowledge free thought platform at Tehran University, at Sharif University, at Amir Kabir University. A few students should go there, express their views, critique each other, and debate together. The truth will reveal itself there. The truth does not reveal itself by someone throwing out a criticism. This is not how the truth is properly understood. Creating a chaotic mental atmosphere with rhetoric does not help the country's progress. You should take the experience of this old father in this regard. What helps the country's progress is the real freedom of thoughts; that is, thinking freely, expressing freely, not fearing criticism and turmoil, and not being swayed by the encouragement and provocation of this or that. At one point, you say something, and suddenly you see all the political observers of the world, whose existence is filled with malice and wickedness, applauding you. Do not be swayed by this encouragement. As the youth say, do not get carried away. Engage in proper discussions, engage in logical discussions. Listen to a statement, make a statement; then sit down and think. This is the same instruction of the Quran. "So give good tidings to My servants. Those who listen to speech and follow the best of it." The speech must be heard, and the best must be chosen. Otherwise, creating a tumultuous atmosphere leads to what you have seen. The turmoil before the elections, after the elections, its reflection becomes this; especially when foreign hands are involved. Why do you think the propaganda apparatuses of the world publish events that they think are detrimental to the Islamic Republic moment by moment? With what calculation is this done? Shouldn't this be considered?! Shouldn't it be studied?! These are the things that must be paid attention to.

In any case, the country is moving forward. Know this without a doubt; the country is moving forward. The past planning undoubtedly had flaws, but the outcome of all the positive and negative points is what you are observing today. Our youths have advanced scientifically, politically, and in the depth of religious thought. The statements that our youths made here today regarding spirituality, religion, and not being attached to Western predictions and plans, and independence - these statements that have become part of your prevailing discourse today - were once prominent statements of intellectuals who thought these words should be spoken or understood! But today they are part of the prevailing culture of our society. Is this not progress? We are moving forward. Of course, we have many enemies and many obstacles. If there were no obstacles, we would not have been so resilient; the Islamic society and the Islamic Republic would not have been so resilient. Obstacles exist; otherwise, walking on flat ground does not build muscle. One must climb mountains, one must overcome obstacles. Our society has done this, has advanced on this path, and will continue to do so. You should know! The youth of today is a generation that cannot be stopped.

And I recommend to you: the key to a country's progress, that is, the main axis for a country's power, is progress accompanied by power, which is science. Many of the current conspiracies against the Islamic Republic target science and the scholars and students of science and the scientific environment; pay attention to this. Do not let this arrow, according to the enemy's targeting, hit the target they have set. Do not let practical work come to a halt. Among all the statements made, the most important issue is science, research, and inquiry. The wealth of the West comes from science, its power comes from science, and the bullying it does today is due to the science it possesses. Money in itself does not bring power. What brings power is knowledge. Today, if America did not have its scientific advancement, it could not bully in the world and interfere in all global matters. Wealth, if it is obtained, is obtained through science. Value science. The reason I have emphasized the issue of science, research, inquiry, progress, innovation, and breaking existing scientific boundaries for years is because of this. Without various forms of knowledge, the country's power is not possible. Knowledge brings power.

They said come and bomb Iran's nuclear facilities. One of the world leaders - I do not want to name names now. Of course, everyone knows, perhaps you know; it was broadcasted worldwide. I do not want to name some of them - said that science cannot be bombed. He is right; he is correct. Despite all the violations they commit, this statement was true. Even if they bombed Natanz, bombed the Isfahan factory, how do they bomb science? See, science brings immunity, it brings power. Be careful that in your university, in your class, in your research center, in your research work, do not let disruptions occur. If you see a hand trying to create disruption, be suspicious of that hand. They have targeted your power, your future.

Now I have a lot to say to you youths in particular. The point that this artistic lady mentioned is very important to me. One of the tasks is just this; people should come to taste the needs of Western markets, for example, suppose in painting, and then come here, provide financial support, and direct our painters towards fulfilling that need. The same applies to filmmaking. Films should be nominated for festivals that align with their desires. The same applies to our scientific work; in an article published in ISI; in a research topic that you pursue in your research institute. Unfortunately, in today's prevalent foreign culture, sponsors come in various sectors, providing financial support and donations to ensure that work is done in that direction. Pay attention to this. The scientific independence of the country is one of its prerequisites: the independence of scientific movement, artistic movement, and by extension, political movement. Some political movements also fall into this category.

One recommendation is that the blessing of good talent that you have is a great blessing, like the blessing of health, like the blessing of life itself, which requires gratitude. Blessings come from God; this blessing must be appreciated. Keep this recommendation in your mind. Many blessings we do not recognize; when we are afflicted with their opposites, then we recognize them. Youth is a blessing; in old age, one understands more how great a blessing it is. Good talent, good intelligence, is a great blessing; this blessing must be appreciated. What is gratitude? Gratitude has three components: first, recognizing the blessing, not being heedless of the blessing. Second, knowing that this blessing is from God, it is a divine gift, a divine bestowal. Third, this blessing must be used and consumed in the right direction - the blessing of good talent must be used in the right direction - this is what awakens the spirit of commitment and responsibility in a person; commitment to one's community, commitment to the future of the country, commitment to this vast collection of resources that this elite and this talent are ultimately the product of these resources. Gratitude for this blessing is in this. One should not think of oneself as an island separate from the community, thinking that now they have gained a certain opportunity, a certain spiritual wealth, and this should be converted into material and personal wealth; this is not the case. This should be spent on the future of the country.

One recommendation to the officials as well. The recommendation to the officials is primarily gratitude; gratitude for the existence of elites. Here too, gratitude has the same three components. First, we must recognize the elites. Then we must know that the existence of these elites is a divine blessing; God has given this to us, to the officials of the system. And then, we must use this precious and respected existence - that is, the collection of the country's elites and superior talents - in the right directions.

Now regarding the few sentences that our dear youth mentioned. Well, as we said, there is much to say. In criticizing the unfairness of a device or a person, we ourselves must not fall into unfairness; we must pay attention to this. Does the media reflect the true state of the country? No, it reflects it incompletely. There are many prominent and significant advancements that the media does not show. The reason is that you are not aware of many of the facts and advancements of the country; this is a deficiency of our media. Otherwise, if the media could reflect the realities of the country as well as the television of a certain Western country, with its extensive experience and artistic uses, could present its lies as truths, you should know that today the hope of the youth generation, the attachment of the youth generation to their country, to their religion, to their Islamic Republic, would be much greater than it is now. This is our criticism of the media. If it could accurately reflect the state of the country, there would be much more joy and satisfaction among viewers than there is today. Many works are being done that are a source of happiness, a source of satisfaction; not only in scientific fields but also in social and political fields; they are a source of pride. Many people - most people - are unaware of this. I often criticize government officials for not being able to express this. Expressing is also an art; particularly artistic expression is a great art; they lack this.

Now one of the criticisms we usually have of some is that they accept what foreigners say, but they treat what their own people say with skepticism! Why? Well, this perception is an unhealthy perception; this perception is not correct, it is an unhealthy perception. This must be corrected. Of course, you good youths, God willing, come and enter various fields, take over the propaganda arenas of the country. Our media is the same. I usually look at about sixteen or seventeen newspapers a day; not that I look at all the pages of the tabloids and such; but the headlines, if they have a noteworthy editorial, I usually look at them. Unfortunately, many of our newspapers are weak in reflecting the facts and act unfairly in making primary issues secondary. In these recent issues, the issues should be prioritized; what is the main issue; there are a series of secondary issues surrounding it; not that these secondary issues are unimportant, but the main issue is more important than them. The main issue in these recent events was the elections; questioning the legitimacy of the elections was the greatest crime committed. Why do you close your eyes to this crime?! So much effort is made, people come, a participation of this magnitude, a record-breaking achievement in democracy, in the democracy that they claim so much, is achieved, and then a group of people come without reasoning, without evidence, the very next day after the elections and say: the elections are a lie! Is this a small matter?! Is this a minor crime?! One should be a bit more fair in these matters. The enemy also took maximum advantage of this. There are also some people inside the country who have not agreed with the Islamic Republic from the beginning - this is not just today or yesterday; it has been thirty years - they took advantage of this opportunity, they saw that elements affiliated with the system, from within the system, are managing things this way, they also seized the opportunity and came into the field; and you saw. On the first day, I sent a message to those who are the orchestrators of these events; in those early hours, I sent them a private message. If I say something in Friday prayers, it is not without reason; a private message, a necessary advice is given, when one is forced, one brings a statement into the public domain. I sent a message saying that you are starting this, but you cannot control it until the end; others will come and take advantage. Now you saw they took advantage. They crossed out "Death to Israel"! They crossed out "Death to America"! What does this mean? Anyone who enters the political arena must, like a skilled chess player, anticipate three to four moves ahead of their own move. You make this move, your opponent will make another move in response; you must think about what your next move will be. If you see that in that second move, you are stuck, do not make this move today; if you do, you are inexperienced - now a better expression is - in this game, in this move, you are inexperienced, you are unskilled. They do not understand what they are doing; they start a move, they do not realize how they will get stuck in subsequent moves; they will be checkmated. They should have calculated these things. The main issue was this. Questioning the elections, confronting a collection of people - they have no ill intentions; they entered the elections according to their beliefs; very well - with the system, with the country, with the general movement of the country, these are not small matters. If you are fair, consider those side movements, those side issues, and also consider their importance; but also keep in mind the greater importance of this.

Of course, in these sessions we have with you, I regret that apart from scientific and spiritual discussions and advice, we delve into political matters; however, now I had to do so to this extent. Regarding what was said about not criticizing the leadership, you go and tell them to criticize. We did not say that no one should criticize us; we have no objection. I welcome criticism; I welcome criticism. Of course, criticism does happen. Now there is no place to explain; there is plenty of criticism, it is not scarce; I also receive it, I understand the criticisms.

God willing, I hope that God Almighty guides all of us in the direction that is pleasing to Him and secures His pleasure, and God willing, makes your future better than your past and makes you a source of pride for your country; and you, who are young, will see that day - and God willing, you will remember us well - when your country will reach the peak of power.

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