Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Meeting with Members of the Provincial Security Council

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

Dear brothers and esteemed officials in the very important matter of security! Welcome. As a small brother burdened with a great responsibility, I thank all of you for the efforts and hardships you endure - which Mr. Mousavi Lari mentioned some of them in passing. Of course, my gratitude and that of others like me is not of great value; it is merely a formality; but what is before God is purely real; it is both better and more enduring; "And what is with God is better and everlasting." God willing, may you be among those who receive divine gratitude and reward.

In my opinion, the issue of security is primarily a right of the people. The people themselves feel this way. If the environment is insecure, no desire or joy remains for the people. Therefore, you have seen that sometimes in certain periods of history, people have submitted to the bullying of a tyrant - with all its hardships and difficulties - in order to have security provided to them. Security is that important.

Security is a matter that is both completely real and tangible and very broad. When security exists, one may not feel it; like health, which when present, you do not feel it; but as soon as, God forbid, you have a headache, then you understand what health means. It was said: "Two blessings are neglected: health and security." As soon as a corner of security is compromised, its effect is reflected in the lives of the people. Therefore, security is completely objective and real, and it cannot be ensured through mental constructs. These philosophical musings that are sometimes observed are suitable for intellectual circles or at most for expert meetings where they sit to discuss the mental dimensions of an issue. The people want the reality of security; that too in its broad spectrum; meaning security in the workplace, at home, for their children in school, for their children in the football field, security for roads, villages, cities, and streets. Ensuring security is a completely heavy and very serious burden, and this burden is on you.

Of course, the factors of insecurity do not solely pertain to the few agencies mentioned. Some factors of insecurity are entirely related to other agencies; however, you must gather them. When there is no employment or it is scarce - when there is unemployment in society - this itself is one of the factors of insecurity. When addiction and drugs are prevalent, it is a factor of insecurity. When the ambitious and irresponsible political games of certain individuals are in play, it is a factor of insecurity. When there are interventions and provocations from the foreign enemy, it is a factor of insecurity. None of these relate to you; however, the one who must bear this heavy burden is you. You must come to the field and fight against all dimensions of insecurity; no specific section is to be considered.

Security is a public right belonging to all people across the country, and various ethnicities, languages, customs, and religions benefit from it; let alone various political tastes. Even someone who opposes an important institution and the foundation of the system, you must ensure the security of their living environment. The only element that is outside this public umbrella is the criminal committing a crime or in the process of committing a crime; but all other individuals - everyone who exists - falls under this public umbrella, and you must spread it over all this nation.

Another point is that to create security, you must set goals; based on goal-setting, you must plan; based on planning, you must act; then measure your actions; and not just verbally, but measure with indicators. In words, everyone can say we have established security, or insecurity is established; but you must first specify with accurate and correct statistics to understand where you stand on the path and in the field.

On the other hand, to combat insecurity, you must have vigilance, decisiveness, speed of action, tireless follow-up, and an equal view towards all factors of insecurity. If there is no vigilance, you will fall into negligence; insecurity will enter your home, and you will not feel its presence. Lack of vigilance is the first calamity. If you do not have decisiveness and fall into doubt and hesitation in action, you yourself become a factor of insecurity; because the agency responsible for security, if it becomes hesitant, is the greatest encouragement for those who create insecurity. Therefore, after decisiveness comes follow-up. Not following up is a calamity that I see in many places. They start well, but after a few steps, suddenly you see the steps weaken; then there is a halt; sometimes even a retreat! This is a flaw; this method cannot eliminate insecurity. An equal view towards all factors of insecurity is also important. Whoever creates insecurity, whoever they may be; whether in the guise of a professional troublemaker - thugs and ruffians and the like - whether in the guise of a polished political figure, whether in the guise of a devoted individual, whether in the guise of a high-ranking member affiliated with a certain organization, the relevant agency must follow their actions to the end. If this decisiveness, follow-up, vigilance, and disregard for executing truth and justice exist, then the authority of the system will shine like the sun.

Wounding security is wounding the authority of the system. On the day we looked at the regrettable and sorrowful events of Tir month last year, we saw what the newspapers of that day were writing. I showed some of these newspapers to certain high-ranking officials of the country and asked what these are? They said their work is to undermine the authority of the system. And so it was. Headlines were chosen and published that meant encouragement for insecurity, and the clear and obvious consequence of that was the incapacity of the agency to establish security. What greater insult is there than this?! What blow is worse and more dishonorable? This itself becomes a factor of insecurity. Dealing with the factor of insecurity must be decisive, intelligent, wise, and from a position above all the factional games that, unfortunately, are prevalent in the hands of many.

Mr. Mousavi Lari referred to the issue of national security - which I mentioned at the beginning of the year. I had also spoken about general unity. The people respond to unity; the people are in the field; the people are ahead of us, my dear ones! Let me tell you clearly; I see that the people are ahead of us. Look at the 22nd of Bahman this year; all this time against the system, against the revolution, against Imam, and against the 22nd of Bahman, from that year to this year, with the aim of influencing the Iranian audience, words have been spoken in the world; but where the presence of the people is, their presence is steadfast, powerful, determined, and unhesitant. Again, people from all walks of life came and filled the streets and like a roaring river, washed away all this waste and excess and took it with them. Therefore, the people are of unity and all of them come and participate in the manifestation of unity; but unfortunately, political factions and their leaders and a few individuals are full of claims and low in action and unwilling to accept the truth and justice. We called the gentlemen, they came and held multiple meetings and spoke with this and that; but "nothing was mentioned"; as if no conversation had taken place with them!

One of the factors in creating security is the unity of the people. In this regard, all responsible elements have a duty - the propaganda elements have a duty, the Friday prayer leaders have a duty, the media has a duty - but in this area, the field of action is largely in your hands. Strive in this regard.

In my opinion, apart from issues such as smuggling and the duties that exist in this area and are seen in some borders and various places, the main thing that should be the target of your mind, thought, and action is the issue of overthrowing. Those who pursue this wicked endeavor and spend money for it seek to divert this from the minds of officials at various levels, from the highest to the lowest - in this regard, they do not address the people much - so that the officials do not realize what the matter is and they can carry out their work. Therefore, anyone who discusses efforts for overthrowing and that there is a conspiracy against the revolution and the Iranian nation, or speaks of the foreign enemy, they create a huge uproar. Today, the political and security officials of the anti-Islamic Republic system in America and Europe explicitly state in their speeches and pay for the creation of radio stations, saying this is to confront the Islamic Republic system - I personally heard this from one of those radios that you know was established with the funds of American security services - even if they do not state it explicitly, everyone understands; but they explicitly state that we want to confront the foundation of the system and its pillars; they explicitly state that the constitution of the system must change; they explicitly state that an overthrow must take place; but they kindly say that the overthrow must be done quietly! Is it wise and intelligent for us to close our eyes and say no, such a thing does not exist?! It truly exists; we see its signs and do not need to search for possible evidence.

Today, one of the security tasks of the intelligence officials is to identify infiltrators who enter the country from abroad and bring in shells and explosives and the like. On the other hand, representatives of the U.S. Congress and certain European government sectors sign off on these! What does this mean? Do these not relate to each other and are not connected? Those who initiate these and send them inside are the same ones who in the U.S. Congress one way and in a European country another way, receive approval and signatures and help and encouragement and money from the President, the Prime Minister, and the members of Parliament. What does it mean to have relations with abroad; why should we close our eyes? If we do not see our enemy and do not think of confronting him, who will encourage and praise us? We create a hypothetical enemy within the country; factions make each other the main enemy; this faction against that faction, that faction against this faction! Is this rational?! Is this necessary for the proper administration of the country?!

One of your main duties is to protect each other. Agencies must protect each other. Do not let agencies weaken each other; also do not let others from outside weaken the agencies. You see if the police and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps work well, but for example, the judiciary cannot work well, the work does not come to an end. If the judiciary works well, the Ministry of Interior works well, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps works well, but the police cannot work well, still the work does not come to fruition. Therefore, these several elements that constitute and create security must work well together. Working well together requires that they are not weakened. Why do they weaken the judiciary so much? I do not understand what motivation exists in this work. One day they severely weakened the police. Why? One day they severely weakened and crushed the Ministry of Intelligence. These are detrimental to the security of the country. Agencies must protect and strengthen each other and confront and deal with weakening factors.

I believe that the Islamic Republic system in various sectors - both in economic fields, social fields, political fields, and international fields - has shown that it has the power to act. The foundation and structure of this system is solid. More importantly, the popular support of this system is an immense and unparalleled backing. I firmly believe and abundant evidence also shows this; with the information we have from various parts of the world, I think it can be said that if we categorize countries and governments around the world as follows: 1) those that enjoy maximum support and assistance from the people 2) those that enjoy some assistance from the people 3) those that enjoy minimal assistance from the people 4) those that do not receive any assistance from the people; the Islamic Republic system is among the top tier; meaning it enjoys maximum support from the people. These kinds of gatherings that people hold, these kinds of encouragements and affections that people express, this bond of emotions and faith between the people and the officials; I do not find this anywhere else in the world. Of course, it may be seen somewhat in corners and edges, but as far as I know, I do not find a place with this strength. So see that two major factors are at our disposal here: one is the geometry and foundational structure of the system, which is among the strongest and most logical structures; the other is popular support. One more thing has been added here, and that is the feeling of divine responsibility. For example, many times if you have a file that you work on until late, you can close it and leave the rest for tomorrow morning, and no one will know and no one will blame you; but the only eye of an observer that you are concerned about is the eye of the Lord of the Universe; for God's sake, you say I will finish this work. This feeling of divine oversight, this feeling of responsibility before God, this faith-driven motivation in the hearts of you officials is a very precious and dear thing. Consider this as the third element. These three elements can overcome all the problems that exist in the way of a government - including economic problems.

Sometimes in my travels to the provinces, I see some governors and officials have very good programs and are making great efforts in provincial sectors. There are also many efforts within the government and among high-ranking officials. If with the foresight that ensures every task is done on time and is not delayed and with follow-up and employing capable and suitable elements, many tasks can be pursued, they can also solve the economic problems of the people. The issue of creating employment and combating the corruptions that exist here and there are matters that all fall within the capacity of the officials of the system, and they can accomplish this work. We all must rely on God Almighty and seek His help and hope for His guidance and enter the field of work. No one should allow themselves to fall short of their strength and ability. All efforts and strength must be put forth.

My dear ones! Today, a heavy burden of responsibility is on our shoulders, and if we can carry it safely to the destination, it will leave a long-lasting impact on the history of our country. The issue is not just managing the present of the country - to get through today and reach tomorrow. This country is one that has emerged from under the burden of the tyranny of corrupt governments of long eras and has begun a new era with the presence of the people, with the message of Islam, and with the tireless struggles that have been made. This new era, for various reasons that you are familiar with, is facing problems. Problems mean numerous challenges. This is not specific to us; any other government in these conditions faces these challenges; however, many governments retreat, surrender, fail, and become immobilized; but the Islamic Republic system, by the grace of God, has been able to overcome all these oppositions with the same ideals, with the same spirit, and with the same immense popular support, and has been able to traverse this path with strength for twenty-two years and today also remains in a state of vitality and health and vigor. The greatness of this system lies here; however, it must continue to fight vigilantly, and this, God willing, will be realized.

I hope that God Almighty grants you all His grace and favor and helps you; may He illuminate all our hearts with the light of His guidance; may the great Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) and the dear and great martyrs of the revolution - to whom we owe everything - be placed in the highest ranks of His presence and grant you all success so that you can traverse this path with strength.

I once again thank all of you dear ones, both for your day and night efforts and for the trouble you took to come here and for the opportunity we had to be together for an hour.

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