Statements of the Supreme Leader and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces at the Meeting with a Large Group of Revolutionary Guards and Basij Forces in Mashhad

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, our Prophet, and the beloved of our hearts, Abu al-Qasim al-Mustafa Muhammad, and upon his pure and chosen progeny, the guided, infallible, and honored ones, especially the Awaited One (may God hasten his return) on the earth.

These days of Fatimiyyah and the cherished memory of the Lady of the Two Worlds, the Mistress of Women of all times, Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (peace be upon her), is an occasion that invites hearts and minds to reflect on the numerous issues facing the Islamic Ummah today, particularly those related to this province and this region.

Today marks the anniversary of the martyrdom of Martyr Kaveh, one of the dear, faithful, innocent, and devoted commanders of this passionate service group. Of course, we cannot speak extensively about the dear martyrs, each of whom is truly a shining star in the history and in the sky of the knowledge of this nation, nor can we express the truths that we do not have access to. The status of martyrs is far higher than what our minds, hearts, and tongues can reach; however, merely mentioning the names of these great individuals today is both a duty and a guide and a standard for those devoted to the Islamic movement and the Islamic system.

Before saying anything, I must express my gratitude to each and every one of you dear brothers and sisters for forming this great gathering today; you, the Basij and Revolutionary Guard youth, and the faithful youth who have combined awareness with a sense of responsibility, enthusiasm, and consciousness. You are the elite and the best of the youth of our time and society; just as the youth of our country today are collectively the best youth in the world - as far as we know. I must express my gratitude and sincerity to you dear youth and this faithful and passionate group. Of course, the reason for our meeting today is that the Revolutionary Guards and Basij brothers in this part of the long borders have been able to perform a great service and establish security. The issue of security is a significant one, and I felt it necessary to thank the forces who, in recent months, with great efforts and valuable and outstanding sacrifices, were able to restore security, and thanks to them, security has been established in this region. Your great gathering compels me to say a few words about security - which is one of the fundamental issues of our society and country today:

Security is a great blessing. The Quran also speaks about peace and security. In every society, the necessary groundwork for material and spiritual progress is security. Of course, there are distinguished individuals who accomplish great things even in insecure environments; under the pressure of the oppressive and tyrannical regimes - just as it was before the revolution in this country - there were those who did great things even in that insecurity; however, the condition for a great social movement for a nation is primarily "security." Security has various types; one of them is military and law enforcement security, which you observe in some regions of the world, where there is insecurity from a military and law enforcement perspective. This is part of the concept of security. We also have political, economic, intellectual, and ideological security, all of which are very important issues. I will present some headings and sentences that you dear youth need to engage your minds and thoughts with so that, God willing, they will be useful for your overall conclusions.

If we want to correctly assess how important security is for the progress of a country, we can understand this from the enemy's approach to the concept of security. When the revolution succeeded, a significant obstacle was removed from in front of the Iranian nation, allowing it to compensate for the backwardness it had experienced over the past hundred and fifty years in various fields. The Islamic system was ready to take on the leadership of the people in advancing in all these fields, and the Iranian nation was to embark on a great movement in the fields of science, industry, self-sufficiency, and in intellectual, practical, material, and spiritual matters. The first thing the enemies did to obstruct this path was to create insecurity; that is, they made our borders insecure. See; this was a very fundamental and important point. The same enemies against whom the revolution was directed; the same powers that had tried to prevent this revolution from succeeding as much as they could, after the revolution succeeded, used the weapon of creating insecurity against this nation and this revolution. Initially, in this region close to Khorasan - around Turkmenistan - and in the Kurdistan region and the west and north of the country, as well as other areas in the south - the Khuzestan region - they began to incite ethnicities, creating mischief and insecurity; but the Islamic system overcame them. At that time, the same Basijis and the same faithful youth like you went to these various regions - whether in Khorasan or in other areas - stood firm, made sacrifices, and were able to restore security; that is, they were able to dry up the roots of sedition in those areas. The enemies previously thought that by creating insecurity, they would be able to bring the revolution to its knees; but they saw that it did not happen. Therefore, they imposed war. The insecurity that arises from an all-out war for the country is the most damaging, hardest, and heaviest type of insecurity. They did this. They compelled the Iraqi regime to war, to arson, to attack the borders from the western part of the country. The issue did not remain limited to a war between two nations and the capabilities of two countries; rather, all the resources that Iraq could muster for this war were poured into Iraq!

See, my dear ones! Youth! The points I am sharing with you are among the evident and clear realities of the general atmosphere of the country fifteen years ago. Fifteen years ago, the words I am saying now were not new to anyone in this country; because everyone felt it with all their being; but today, the younger generation that did not properly experience and understand that day is in the field. The propaganda insecurity and political insecurity from the enemy is so intense that it seeks to prevent the younger generation today from denying and concealing these truths that were evident ten or fifteen years ago. I want to draw your attention, the younger generation of today, to this truth that even such clear truths - which for those who spoke in this country back then and today constitute the majority of the people - the enemy wants to cover up with its heavy propaganda and political assault. Back then, it was in favor of Iraq, which had entered into war with us to make our borders insecure; all the powers that could do something in this regard entered the fray. Some - either foolishly or treacherously - want to make this nation forget how much the enmity of the American regime has caused damage to this nation and continues to cause damage; they want to deny this! The same American regime - which we analyzed at that time and later, after the war, detailed news and statistics were published - helped Iraq; electronic assistance, military assistance, assistance in combat methods, financial assistance, direct and indirect assistance! NATO also helped; many Arab countries also assisted; in order to be able to undermine the revolutionary system through the pressure of insecurity. Again, the determination of the youth of this nation, the pure and faithful hearts of this country, the same Basij, the same Revolutionary Guards, the same army, and the same faithful and pure-hearted individuals who kept the spirit of determination alive behind the front lines were able to overcome all the enemy's plots and give a slap in the face to the invading regime and all its supporters - from America and the Soviet Union of that day and others - and present the Iranian nation as the hero of this period before the eyes of the world and restore security as the greatest blessing to this nation; calming the borders and restoring security for cities that were under bombardment - which during the war, nearly half of the geography of this country was under bombardment - creating security for men and women, for merchants, for scholars, for students, for workers, for politicians, for superiors, for subordinates, and for all those who need security; even for those who ingratitously deny this security. Therefore, the faithful hearts and resolute determination of these youth created security for all the people.

Of course, the enemy has not been hopeless; even now, it is not hopeless or dissuaded. If we think that the era of establishing military and law enforcement security has ended, that is not a correct perception. The enemy creates insecurity wherever it can. Whenever the enemy can, it imposes military and law enforcement insecurity on this nation; just as you saw, they found or created a small pretext and created insecurity in Tehran during these days of Tir. Either they create the pretext themselves, or if we assume they do not create the pretext, they find a small excuse to create insecurity; to come to the streets, break windows, set shops on fire, burn cars, and threaten people! Therefore, the enemy is not hopeless or dissuaded from creating insecurity. The fact that some come and deny the necessity and importance of the elements and factors that guarantee security, which have shown from the beginning of the revolution until today that they create security for this nation, is either foolish or treacherous; it is nothing but these two possibilities. The existence of forces that can create security for this nation and this country and for any constructive and vital activity in this country is as essential as air and water for any nation. Some want to deny these. Our military and law enforcement forces and the public Basij are faithful and sincere and are considered a support that has no blemish in that regard. Our sincere military forces - the Revolutionary Guards and the army - are, thanks be to God, not few. These are organizations based on faith. There is no doubt about this; however, there is a difference between those forces that enter the field of defense as a duty of organization and those who enter the field out of a sense of duty, love, and the decisive command of emotions arising from the depths of their souls. This is the Basij. Denying the Basij is denying the greatest necessity and benefit for the country. If we did not have the Basij in the battlefield, our combat would have been deficient. In the period after the end of the war, if there were no Basij, and if there is none today, the quantity of this revolution and this system and all constructive movements of this country would be deficient. Denying the Basij and disrespecting it is either foolish or treacherous. As long as this country needs security and as long as this country and this nation need security - which is always the case; because there is always a need for security - there is a need for the Basij force, for the Basij motivation, for Basij organization, and for Basij love and faith.

Political security is also a type of security. Of course, these days, the issue of economic security is also raised; which is a correct statement, and we also endorse it. We firmly believe that economic security in this country should be such that economic work, economic movement, economic effort, economic prosperity, and economic construction - of any kind - should be possible, and those who have the will to do this work should be able to do so securely. Thanks be to God, both the judiciary and the executive apparatus have agreed on this matter, and I will also assist them so that they can achieve this important goal for the country. But let me say this: let no one think that creating economic security means opening the way for economic parasites, economic abusers, and economic leeches! Economic security does not mean that the healthy laws and regulations of the country should be overlooked. Economic security means that individuals and all people of this country, from every class, who want to engage in economic work - whether industrial work, agricultural work, investment, or trade - should know that no one will disturb them; but this does not mean that those who, whether during the war or during the reconstruction period, were able to exploit the economic intricacies for illegitimate gains and create illegitimate wealth should have the opportunity to carry out such illegitimate movements under the guise of economic security. The meaning of economic security is not to be lax in economic matters; it means giving space to the clever and the abusers and those who are waiting to fill their pockets through illegitimate means - not legitimate means - should not be the case; this should be noted. Any type of investment that the law permits must have security. It should not be imagined that until now, economic insecurity has been due to the actions of the country's officials or legal sectors; no, economic insecurity has mostly been due to the actions of abusers. Wherever there is an abuser, there is a kind of disruption in affairs and a type of insecurity exists. Therefore, economic security is also an important issue, and we also believe in it.

And as for political security. Political security means that political thoughts and knowledge in society should be clear and free from hypocrisy, duplicity, and dual thinking. It means that those who are responsible for expressing political issues to the people should act with trustworthiness towards the people. It means that those who are responsible for writing, distributing, and disseminating the intellectual knowledge of society should not lie, deceive, commit fraud, and mix poison into what appears to be sweet food; this is political security. The pen that takes up the task of denying the twenty years of the oppressed and self-sacrificing efforts of this nation in confronting the tyrannical and plundering powers of the enemy disrupts the political security of the country and creates intellectual insecurity. The one who, inside the country, using the resources that the law and the public treasury of these people have provided, justifies the demands of the politicians and statesmen of the enemy country and feeds it to a group under seemingly acceptable forms creates political and intellectual insecurity. This is just like the highway robber - there is no difference - just like the thugs at the border. What do they do? They also bring in contraband and cause the youth of the people to suffer various misfortunes and diseases and addictions. The one who does this is no less dangerous than the others! These people mislead and confuse minds. I have spoken extensively about the media and writings. No one can deny that I am an advocate of free thought, free pen, free expression, and diverse published knowledge in this country; that is my belief. I say that various thoughts, opinions, and tastes in the country should be presented correctly and accurately; but expressing various knowledge is one thing, lying to the people and writing lies and distorting truths and becoming the mouthpiece of the enemy is another; that is what I cannot accept and endorse regarding the media.

Whether twenty newspapers or two hundred newspapers are published, it does not matter. If some have the ability and have something to say, they will surely find readers; there is no obstacle; but if a newspaper is to be published that, using the resources of these people, using the public treasury of these people, using the assistance of these people, writes against the interests of these people - and that too in the form of lies and slander; not that it has an opinion and writes - and intends to become the mouthpiece of Radio Israel or Radio America in this country, that is unacceptable. If some come and deny the rulings and necessities of Islam - for example, deny retribution - this is another issue; another type of creating insecurity. Of course, during these days of travel and engagements, I could not thoroughly and precisely delve into the essence of this matter; I said to investigate it. If someone appears who openly denies the necessities of religion - which among the necessities of religion is certainly Islamic and legal retribution - he is an apostate, and the ruling for an apostate is known in Islam. If some think that with the support of the arrogant propaganda apparatus and the Zionist propaganda empire in the world, they can advance their agenda in this country, they are mistaken; such a thing is not possible. In this country, with this awake and living nation, with these faithful youth, everything must move in accordance with the will and faith of this nation. All those who have placed their hopes in their mercenaries here and all those who have placed their hopes in the support of foreign masters should know that such a thing is impossible. This nation is a faithful and Muslim nation. This nation is one that has sacrificed its life for the preservation and security of this system and this country, so that the statesmen of this country can work, and scholars, students, and those engaged in any constructive activity can work. Can the will of the intelligence and political apparatus of the enemy dominate the fate of this country in the face of this nation and this immense religious will?! They should know that this country is the country of Islam and this nation has risen for Islam. Today, the will of this nation is for the establishment of the Islamic system.

The Islamic system has clear and evident commandments and prohibitions. The Islamic system is a system of justice; every injustice is condemned. The Islamic system is a system of equity; every discrimination is condemned. The Islamic system is a system of national independence; every type of dependency is condemned. The Islamic system is a system of brotherhood and heartfelt connections among all the people; every type of sowing discord is condemned. The Islamic system is one in which the officials are servants of the people and for the people; every type of separation between officials and the people is condemned. It is not possible for anyone to come into this system who acts according to the desires of the enemies of this nation and against the general direction of this system and this people and the movement of the people towards Islam, and for the Islamic system to remain idle, silent, and indifferent. Is such a thing possible?! All those who are thinkers and reflect on these issues should concentrate their thoughts on this matter. Today, this country, with its vast resources, with its young population, with its bright future horizons, with the advancements that have, thanks be to God, occurred in various fields over the past twenty years, with the additional grounds for progress that exist, its interest lies in wisely, intelligently, and courageously pursuing the path of Islam - which secures both its worldly and otherworldly affairs. The enemy will not cease its deceptive and seductive propaganda; we must not succumb to the enemy's seductive propaganda. Those who try to separate the people's minds from their general Islamic and faithful movement with misleading slogans are working in favor of the enemy, whether they realize it or not; whether they know it or not.

Today, unity under the shadow of Islam, movement towards Islamic construction, movement towards strengthening the foundations of independence of this country, and movement towards spiritual and moral refinement is essential. Dear youth! Do not neglect spiritual and heart purification. The root of all the misfortunes of nations, both officials and common people, is selfishness, self-centeredness, and prioritizing oneself and creating a Pharaoh-like attitude within the heart. Sometimes a person may not show any signs of Pharaoh-like behavior in their outward appearance - that is, in their physical form - but in their heart, they are a Pharaoh. Selfishness, self-centeredness, self-importance, prioritizing oneself and one's desires, and the pursuit of one's own interests and benefits are the sources of most of life's corruptions; therefore, strive towards self-purification. These major movements - whether movements towards the construction of the country, the construction of various environments, or the construction within the heart - are a hypothesis that rests on all of us today.

I hope that the Almighty God grants success to all of you dear ones and that the prayer of the Awaited Savior (may our souls be sacrificed for him) encompasses all of you.

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