Statements of the Leader of the Revolution in Meeting with Students and Pupils on the Eve of National Day of Struggle Against Global Arrogance

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

We hope that the Almighty God includes you dear youth and flourishing saplings in the prayers of His Holiness Mahdi (peace be upon him). The anthem and poetry were beautiful; the melody was beautiful, profound, and appropriate for what a determined and resolute Muslim youth of Iran should hold in their hearts and souls today. God willing, may you be successful.

First, let us congratulate you on the auspicious occasion of Ghadir, the birth of Imam Hadi (peace be upon him), and the thirteenth of Aban, which symbolizes the determined face of the Iranian nation in achieving its goals and standing firm against the enemy. Ghadir is an important event; it is a fundamental incident; it reflects Islam's attention to the most crucial pillar of forming an Islamic system and Islamic society. That is, the issue of Imamate and the issue of Guardianship, and keeping Ghadir alive, in a sense, is keeping Islam alive. The issue is not only about the Shia and those who believe in the Guardianship of Amir al-Mu'minin (peace be upon him). If we, the Shia people, and those who claim to follow Amir al-Mu'minin correctly explain the truth of Ghadir, both for ourselves and to others, the issue of Ghadir can indeed be a unifying factor. The discussion of heartfelt belief and the connection of a religious sect to a fundamental belief is one discussion; understanding the issue is another. Islam has manifested the highest issue regarding the formation of an Islamic society and Islamic system and the Islamic world in the matter of Ghadir. We hope that we genuinely pursue the concept, content, and true meaning of Ghadir and Guardianship; this is something you youth must keep in mind and, God willing, pursue throughout your lives.

Regarding the issue of the thirteenth of Aban, which in the literature of our Islamic system is referred to as the struggle against global arrogance, there is much to say. The issue is not merely about keeping a historical memory alive or taking pride in it; there are profound themes within this issue. You know that the thirteenth of Aban carries three historical events: the exile of Imam in 1963, the massacre of teenage students in 1978, and finally, the seizure of the U.S. embassy in 1979. In all three events, one side is the Iranian nation, the feelings of the people, the embodiment of struggle, namely Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) and the Iranian people; on the other side is the arrogant government of America. Therefore, there is a struggle between the Islamic Republic and the Islamic Revolution and the Iranian nation, with this belief on one side, and the American statesmen and the arrogant government of America on the other.

When did this struggle begin? You youth should reflect on this issue with a historical perspective. There are two fundamental points here that need to be examined: one is where this struggle began and what stages it went through and where it reached; the second is what the outcome of this struggle was. Ultimately, when two groups, two factions, two individuals struggle against each other, one must prevail, and one must be defeated. What was the outcome? In this long struggle, who emerged victorious? Who was defeated?

Regarding the first question of when the struggle began: the struggle began before 1963; that is, from 1953 with the coup of 28 Mordad, which was carried out by the Americans in Iran, overthrowing Dr. Mossadegh's government. American agents—whose names and characteristics are well known, and everyone knows them, and books have been written on this subject—officially came to Iran, with suitcases full of dollars, bribed thugs and some self-serving politicians, and initiated the coup of 28 Mordad 1953, overthrowing Mossadegh's government. Interestingly, you should know that the government of Mossadegh, which was overthrown by the Americans, had no animosity towards them. He stood against the British and had trusted the Americans; he hoped that the Americans would help him; he had friendly relations with them, perhaps even showing some humility. With this government, the Americans did this. It was not that the government in Tehran was anti-American; no, they were friends; however, the interests of global arrogance dictated that the Americans colluded with the British, brought money here, and did their work. The main element of the coup in Tehran was an American individual; his name is known, and his identity is clear; I am fully aware, and it has been written in books. After they successfully executed the coup and brought back the Shah, who had fled, they became the masters of the country; that is, they took control of the country's affairs.

Almost ten years passed since this incident, and the uprising of the people on 15 Khordad and the Islamic Revolution and Islamic struggles emerged. That is, they exerted pressure for ten years, beat, imprisoned, executed, and did whatever they wanted in this country; ultimately, an explosion occurred ten years after this incident in Khordad 42. Here, although the opposing side was the tyrannical Pahlavi regime, the Americans were behind this government; they were the ones who supported it and had dominated all affairs of our country through it. This struggle continued until 1963; the Americans were compelled to intervene directly. Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) was exiled in 1963. Here, on the surface, they managed to carry out their agenda and thought they had subdued the Iranian nation; however, the Iranian nation was not subdued.

After 1963, the absolute rule of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, supported by the Americans, created thousands of tragedies in the country, and the Americans continued their looting, plundering, expansionism, and aggression in Iran as much as they could; they brought tens of thousands of their advisors to Iran, took, ate, received money, taught torture, committed thousands of crimes in Iran, and ultimately, in 1976 and subsequently in 1977, this massive movement of the Iranian nation under the leadership of Imam Khomeini began. This time, this struggle was no longer one in which the enemy had hope for victory. The nation stood firm, resisted, and sacrificed; its men, women, and even its students were killed in the streets; but ultimately, in 1979, the Iranian nation emerged victorious. That is, in this long struggle from 1953 to 1979—over a period of twenty-five years of struggle—the one who emerged victorious was the Iranian nation. The Islamic Revolution triumphed, the government reliant on America was overthrown, the long-standing tyrannical, corrupt, and dependent monarchy was destroyed, and the government of the Iranian nation, the government of the revolution, and the Islamic system came to power.

From the very first day, the Americans began to oppose and disrupt affairs; the center of disruption and all conspiracies was the very U.S. embassy in Tehran. They sought to establish connections, threaten, bribe, set agreements, attract weak individuals to themselves, in hopes of perhaps being able to accomplish something; however, on the thirteenth of Aban 1979, the students, as the most elite segment of the Iranian nation, carried out the movement to seize the U.S. embassy. Here, once again, America faced defeat in its conspiracies against the Iranian nation.

The series of American defeats continued. Over the past thirty-three or thirty-four years—from 1979 to today—America has been constantly trying to disrupt, to compensate for its defeat in 1979. This defeat was not just America's defeat in Iran, which we could say a regime dependent on America was overthrown and the Americans were expelled, their hands were cut off; this was America's defeat in the region. Today, the people see this defeat; with the events in Egypt, Tunisia, the events in North Africa, and the hatred that nations have developed towards the Americans. Back then, no one among the masses could accurately see this; however, American political theorists understood that if this revolution remained, if it took root, if it showed itself with proper and significant fruit, these events would occur. Therefore, they have used everything in their power against the revolution until today.

Well, now after this period of struggle, who has emerged victorious in this arena? This is a very important issue. From 1953 until now, as we approach 2013—over a period of about sixty years—a struggle has been underway between the Iranian nation on one side and the arrogant government of America on the other; this is not a small matter; this is a very significant event. Until today, who is the victor in this arena? This is worth pondering. When we understand that here the one who has prevailed is the will and decisive determination of a nation, accompanied by faith and reliance on God, this becomes a lesson for all nations; this becomes a principle in all historical transformations; a new philosophy of history, based on Islamic principles, emerges, is formulated, and is accepted by all; and this reality has occurred; that is, the Iranian nation has been the victor in this vast arena all this time and until today. Why? Look towards Iran; the reason is that they wanted to eliminate the revolution, but the revolution remained; not only did the revolution remain, but it grew stronger day by day. Today, our youth, who were not present during the revolution, who were not present during the imposed war, who have not seen the Imam, study, work, live, and breathe with the same motivation and determination that the youth of the revolution had to bring about the revolution. These are clear signs of the revolution's vitality.

In addition to all this, observe the Islamic system; the Islamic system has gained strength, taken root, conveyed its message to the world, compelled nations to acknowledge and confess its greatness, and has elevated itself in the eyes of both Muslim and non-Muslim nations. Our great Imam is even regarded as a significant and high-ranking figure in the eyes of his enemies. The Iranian nation has been introduced to the world as a resilient, steadfast, faithful, and insightful nation, and within the country, the Islamic system has been able to transform the nation.

The Iran you see today is not the Iran of the pre-revolution era. The Iran of the pre-revolution era was a backward country; a forgotten country; a nation lacking initiative. With all this talent, with all this historical heritage, with this rich culture, this nation had no presence in the global scientific arena, nor in the political arena, nor in the technological arena, nor did it have any new ideas for the world, nor any initiative regarding regional and global issues; it was entirely submissive. Within the country, except for a few areas that were of interest to the officials and leaders of the regime, the rest of the country was devastated and desolate. Today, if a piece of bad news comes from one corner of the country, everyone becomes sensitive. Back then, most parts of the country were like that; they were disordered; people had no life, no water, no electricity, no roads, and lacked the means of living. Those who knew looked on with regret; many did not even know what was happening; they lived in misery. Today's Iran has these advancements; these works, these initiatives, this vibrant presence of youth in the fields of science and construction, and strong presence in all sectors. These discussions did not exist at that time. The country has progressed; this is victory. The revolution has survived, the system has become more fruitful and rooted day by day, and the nation has become more aware day by day. The extent to which you high school youth and students understand global issues today, the extent to which you analyze, was not comprehensible to many intellectuals back then; this level of understanding was not accessible to them. Today, insight, awareness, political analysis, and depth in issues have become widespread in the country. We have progressed; we have advanced materially, we have advanced spiritually; this spiritual attention, this presence in spiritual arenas. You saw what happened last week across the country during the Arafah prayer ceremonies. Who were present at the Arafah prayer ceremonies? All youth. The days of I'tikaf in a certain way, Ramadan in a certain way, the days of Muharram in a certain way, mourning in a certain way, joy in a certain way. That realm of science, this realm of religion, that realm of politics and insight.

Despite the enemy, the country has progressed and flourished from all dimensions. A country that had been accustomed to individual rule for centuries, accustomed to tyrannical rule, has developed one of the best democracies in this country; in the presence of elections, in public issues and public participation. This is the same revolution that the Americans wanted not to exist, that they wanted to be destroyed, that they wanted to weaken; they promised themselves that it would be gone in a few months. The Americans have, thank God, seen the revolution grow day by day. This is one side of the issue.

On the other side of the issue are the American statesmen; the arrogant government of America. There is no one in the world who doubts that America has fallen more than thirty ranks in terms of global power and prestige over these thirty years; everyone sees and knows this; even the Americans themselves admit this. These old, veteran American politicians mock the current governments and statesmen, saying that you have brought America from there to here. They are right; America has fallen. Today, no government in the world is as despised as the American government. If today, our regional governments and other governments dared to designate a day as a day of repudiation and hatred towards the American government and told the people to come out and march on that day, the largest march in history would occur! This reflects America's loss of prestige.

In terms of America's logical and intellectual standing: ultimately, a government and a nation rely on the ideas and logic they present. Nations do not gain credibility in the world merely through money; there must be ideas and logic. The Americans claimed to have principles—what they called—American values; they made a lot of noise about these principles and values in the world. Today, look at where the status of American values has reached.

They claimed to oppose terrorism; today, in our region and in many parts of the world, they ally with terrorists, sit down with them, make agreements, give them money, and provide them with weapons to carry out terrorist acts! They support the Mojahedin, who have confessed to the assassination of thousands in the country, under their protective umbrella; they take them off their own blacklist!

They claim to support democracy; they say they seek popular sovereignty and the people's right to vote; yet they support the most tyrannical and dictatorial rulers in the world and the region with all their might! Everyone sees this; it is no longer hidden. This is the fall of values. A government claims to support human rights, to support democracy, yet its greatest support and assistance goes to governments that have never experienced democracy!

They claim to support human rights—one of the American values they have made a lot of noise about—but the worst anti-human rights violations occur under the protection of America, and they not only do not oppose it but support it! For sixty-five years, the rights of the Palestinian people have been openly trampled by these shameless Zionists in occupied Palestine; the Americans do not even frown, but rather support and assist!

They claim to be supporters of nations; yet wherever nations undertake a freedom-seeking, reformist, revolutionary movement against evil, they stand against the nations!

They claim to be the wealthiest nation and government in the world—of course, America is a wealthy country; it has natural and underground resources, it has everything—but they have brought the American nation to the point where today it is the most indebted government in the world; its debts are equal to its gross national product! For a country, there is no greater disgrace than this.

They claim to support freedom; yet no country in the world has as many prisoners as America, relative to its population! They have a population of nearly three hundred million; yet the ratio of their prisoners to this population is higher than that of all countries in the world to their populations. Alongside this issue, there are also sham courts and false courts. Of course, in movies and television shows, they present various displays; courts with decorum and formalities; well, this is Hollywood; this is the play of stars and actors; the reality is different from this.

They claim that their nation is a proud nation. Today, the American governments have humiliated and misled their nation; just as the Quran says about Pharaoh: "And Pharaoh led his people astray and did not guide them." (1) They have misled their own people; they do not allow them to be informed of the truths. This 99% movement and the anti-Wall Street movement that has emerged in America is due to the fact that the American people are unaware of many truths; if they were informed, this movement might become ten times stronger. They have placed their own people in the captivity of the Zionists. Is it not a disgrace for a government that its presidential candidates in electoral debates speak in such a way as to please the Zionists; to prove their servitude and obedience to them?! What you see in the electoral debates between the two current candidates in America, each trying to show more obedience to the Palestinian Jewish community and the Zionist community and Israeli capitalists, is because they are enslaved by them. Statesmen of such a large country, with such scientific advancements, have enslaved their own nation to a bunch of Zionists!

Look, all of this is regression. What is the result of these regressions? The result of these regressions is that they have no credibility in the world; day by day, their sphere of influence in the world is becoming more limited; they suffer defeats in major wars. The Americans did not achieve their goals in Iraq and were defeated; the same in Afghanistan; in the war against resistance in Lebanon—initiated by the Zionists connected to them—similarly; in confronting the nations of North Africa, they have also faced defeat; they have failed everywhere.

Of course, there is much to say on these matters; if one wants to discuss all aspects of the issue, it might take hours; however, in a short sentence, one can conclude that the power of America, the American government, the global arrogance of America that has confronted the Iranian nation and has started this long struggle with the Iranian nation since 1953—this year is 2012—in this struggle, the one who has been defeated is that arrogant, self-important, arrogant government of America; and the one who has emerged victorious is the proud, determined, and powerful nation of Iran.

Well, what is the conclusion? We do not want to recite verses of victory; we do not want to engage in epic poetry; we want to learn, we want to take lessons; we want to find our way, thanks to the guidance of Islam, based on the truths and realities of the world. The lesson is that when a nation stands determined and resolute, resists, springs forth from within, relies on the great God, and spares no effort of life, wealth, and honor in the field of struggle, even if that nation does not have as much money as the opponent, does not have as much weaponry, does not have as much scientific advancement, and its population is smaller than that of the opponent, and it has one-hundredth of the opponent's media, this nation will prevail in the greatest and most difficult struggles.

Our challenges with global arrogance are not over—they will never be over, and that is not a problem—challenges and tests are a sport for a nation and strengthen it day by day; we become stronger through these challenges; however, we must be vigilant, understand that challenges exist, understand what the opponent intends to do, and understand the way to confront the opponent. If we do not understand these, if we fall into ignorance, if we become complacent, if we neglect the obvious and clear signs, we will be defeated; God has no kinship with anyone. If you stand firm—as you have until today—and rely on God and the religion of God, you will certainly prevail; but if we do not stand, if we do not pay attention to the necessary conditions of a struggle of this magnitude, it is clear that the Almighty God does not pay attention to lazy nations, to nations preoccupied with trivial matters. God's grace, God's favor, God's support is bestowed upon nations that stand firm, understand, have insight, discern, and act.

One of our fundamental tasks is to maintain this will and determination directed towards obedience to the Lord of the Universe; this is the first condition. One of them is our unity, one of them is our effort. One must strive to study, one must strive to research, one must strive to build, one must strive to manage, one must strive to find organized and systematic ways for the advancement of the country; everyone has a type of effort; all must strive. When everyone strives, when everyone works, prosperity will come faster, progress will increase, and victory will become more certain.

One of the ways is to create unity. Disagreements are harmful. Both disagreements among officials are harmful; and worse than that, dragging disagreements among the people is harmful. I warn the officials, the respected leaders about this. I have supported the heads of the branches, and I will continue to support them—they are responsible, and they must be helped—but I warn them to be cautious. Not that these correspondences are very important; no, they can write a hundred letters; they should do their work, not drag disagreements among the people, not make trivial matters a source of uproar and noise and propaganda for the enemy and fodder for the propaganda of foreign radios and televisions; they can write a hundred letters; the letter is not important. What is important is that we all know we have a responsibility, we all know we are in a sensitive position.

Today, the enemy, due to the events in North Africa, due to the scientific advancements of Iran—of course, they say nuclear advancements, but they lie; the main problem for them is your scientific advancements—due to the impact that the Iranian nation has had on other nations, due to this Islamic awakening that has emerged, is upset and angry. The enemy feels defeated, feels unsuccessful; hence, they are upset. Of course, the pose that American statesmen and women take is that of victory; that yes, we have done this and that; but they know themselves, others know, and the political and media circles of the world understand what the situation is; they realize that the American government has been defeated in this struggle, in this grand battle, in these events; well, they are upset.

They are always looking for something to do. One of their important tasks is to sow discord between us through insidious and termite-like methods; this is among their common practices, and they have done this since ancient times. Of course, the most skilled and expert in this work are the wicked English; they are the most expert in creating discord; the Americans learn from them, they are their students! Creating discord through infiltration, like thieving mice, like termites, entering and infiltrating; these are among their common practices. We must be vigilant. Disagreements must be minimized.

Of course, there are many disagreements; there is no problem with that—two people are responsible, they are friends, they have disagreements; it has always been like this—but disagreements should not lead to differences in action and public confrontations, to open disagreements, to public disputes; because those disagreements are not that significant. Sometimes there are important matters, well, people should be informed; however, the disagreements that one sees among these gentlemen are not matters of such importance that we should now magnify them with various claims, keep them in front of the people's eyes, and give them importance; they are not significant. Disagreements should not be made public; disagreements should not be dragged into the public; people's feelings should not be stirred in a way that creates discord. From today until the day of the elections, anyone who uses people's feelings to create discord will certainly betray the country.

Fortunately, the officials of the country are hardworking and caring; they want to work for the country. Of course, there may be some oversights, but the intentions are, God willing, good intentions for work. We hope that, God willing, the Almighty God will reward all these good intentions and grant success to the Iranian nation in all fields, and certainly, God willing, He will do so.

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