Statements in Meeting with System Officials

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 and prophet, Abu al-Qasim al-Mustafa Muhammad, and upon his pure family and chosen companions, and those who follow them with goodness until the Day of Judgment.

Welcome, dear brothers and sisters. This is a warm, sweet, and sincere gathering, and thanks be to God, one can observe various faces. We hope, God willing, that hearts will come closer together.

Last year, in this meeting, Martyr Raisi (may God’s mercy be upon him) was present and provided a detailed report of his actions, services, and efforts, and today, God willing, by the grace of God, he is receiving the rewards of those efforts at the table of divine grace and mercy. Look at these services with this perspective, dear managers. Life is in the hands of God; where we will be tomorrow, how we will be, is unknown. Look at it this way: if today you carry out these services with sincerity, with ability, and with the same motivation that the esteemed President has expressed and demonstrated, the reward for that is so great that it cannot be compensated in this world; the Almighty God, under His mercy, will, God willing, reward you with good in paradise, in the hereafter. Of course, good deeds have their effects in this world as well.

First, I would like to thank the statements of Mr. Dr. Pezeshkian, the esteemed President. He made extensive, good, and useful statements. What attracts my attention, which I have often mentioned to him, is the motivational state that exists in him; this is very valuable. This motivation, this feeling that "we can, we will definitely do it, we will pursue it, we rely on God, we do not rely on anyone other than God," this state in him is very valuable, and God willing, with divine assistance, he will be able to carry out these tasks. I hope, God willing, that in the not-too-distant future, he will stand before the public and announce the realization of these great demands to the people and make them happy.

The topic I have prepared to discuss here is a word about the month of Ramadan, and I have also prepared some remarks regarding the pressing issues of the country as far as they relate to our gathering.

Regarding the month of Ramadan, it is the month of remembrance, the month of the Quran; the Quran is also the book of remembrance: "Indeed, We sent down the Reminder" (Quran 15:9) in Surah al-Hijr, or "And this is a blessed Reminder that We have sent down. Will you then deny it?" (Quran 21:50) and many other verses. The Quran is a reminder, a source of remembrance, a book of remembrance. What does "remembrance" mean? Remembrance is the opposite of negligence and forgetfulness.

One of the significant afflictions of humanity is forgetfulness; one forgets a necessary task, one forgets a useful matter. However, what is damaging and irreparable are two main forgetfulness: one is the forgetfulness of God, where a person forgets God; the second is self-forgetfulness; these two are an indescribable forgetfulness in terms of the damage they inflict on a person's future. The Almighty God has referred to both of these forgetfulness in the Quran, stating in one place, "They forgot God, so He forgot them" (Quran 9:67); they forgot God, and the Almighty God also forgot them. Forgetting God, where God forgets someone, has a metaphorical meaning; because God does not forget anyone or anything. Its metaphorical meaning is that the Almighty God casts him out of the circle of His mercy and guidance; forgetting God means this. "He forgot them" means He no longer places him in the light of His grace, He forsakes him; "God forsook him." One of the most significant curses is "God forsook him." "Forsakenness" means leaving someone to their own devices, not paying attention to them, not helping them, not thinking of them; this is forsakenness; "He forgot them" means this. Therefore, in the supplication of Sahifa Sajjadiyya, one of the things that is earnestly and intensely requested from God in that famous supplication is "And do not send me from Your hand like one who has no good in him". In Arabic, "sending" in these contexts means throwing; it means do not throw me away from Your hand like something that has no value, that is of no use to anything; and do not send me from Your hand like one who has no good in him. This divine forgetfulness is that the consequence of divine forgetfulness is that God creates such a state for him, which is the greatest loss. The forgetfulness of the human being is mentioned in Surah al-Hashr: "And do not be like those who forgot God, so He caused them to forget themselves" (Quran 59:19); they forgot themselves. They forgot God, and the Almighty God also made them forget themselves; that is, they became self-forgetful.

Well, a person who is always dealing with the daily issues of life does not forget these. This self-forgetfulness, meaning that God causes someone to fall into self-forgetfulness, has a profound meaning both on an individual scale and on a social scale. On an individual scale, the meaning of a person forgetting themselves is that they forget the purpose of their creation. Well, we believe that the Almighty God acts with wisdom; why did He create us? This is an important question. The Almighty God and the friends of God and the prophets and the Imams have also said why He created us; God created us to elevate humanity to higher levels of existential virtue, to transform them into the vicegerent of God; this is the purpose of human creation. He created to elevate them, to bring them to a high status. In the Quran, in the narrations, in the words of the infallibles and the saints, this has been repeatedly emphasized; [self-forgetfulness means] a person becomes oblivious to this and forgets that they were created for this.

Forgetting the passage of life is also one of the self-forgetfulness. Ultimately, this life is passing, and a person becomes negligent. We all have a deadline, it is clear: "Indeed, you will die, and they will die" (Quran 39:30); this deadline in Arabic expression is called "ajal". We forget this deadline. This deadline may be an hour from now, it may be a day from now, it may be a year from now; ultimately, we must prepare ourselves for it; one of the instances of self-forgetfulness is this. In the noble supplication of Abu Hamze, we read: "I have not prepared for my sleep"; now the expression is this: if you take me from this world in my current state, where I have not prepared myself — I have not prepared myself, I have not prepared my grave — in this state, if I die, woe is me! A person becomes negligent of the fact that they must prepare themselves, see the future, and be ready for the meeting with God. Well, these are personal negligence; a person can overcome these with supplication, with humility, with fasting, with self-restraint regarding the desires that exist in fasting, this remembrance, this attention can be created and rescue themselves from this self-forgetfulness. And if this negligence is removed, then the divine question comes to the mind of the person, and we realize that we will be questioned by God. The noble verse of the Quran states: "So We will surely question those to whom messengers were sent, and We will surely question the messengers" (Quran 7:6); we will question those people to whom the prophet was sent, and they must answer what they did, how they behaved; and also "And We will surely question the messengers"; we will also question the prophet himself. Consider the great status of the prophet; the Almighty God questions what you did? How did you behave? We are in this position.

If a person remembers this state, then a change occurs in their behavior. In the supplication of Abu Hamze, we read: "Have mercy on me when my argument is cut off and my tongue fails to answer You, and my mind is scattered at Your questioning of me"; when a person is questioned in the presence of God, they will make excuses; [the question is] why did that action take place? Why did that inaction take place? A person must answer. A person makes excuses; these same excuses that we make for each other in this world: "It did not happen for this reason, it did not happen for that reason." We are compelled to realize that no, this excuse is not valid, this reasoning is not correct. There, my argument, my reasoning, my excuses are cut off; when my argument is cut off and my tongue fails to answer You; a person’s mind becomes scattered in the face of these questions. Well, when remembrance is achieved, this state arises for a person that we have this responsibility, this affects our behavior. Self-forgetfulness is this. Well, this is now regarding self-forgetfulness on an individual scale.

Now I have noted a point here that I would like to mention. This issue of divine questioning, which is from all individuals — "So We will surely question those to whom messengers were sent" — is more for us officials; because we have taken on responsibility by our own choice, we have accepted a proposal, and we have taken on this responsibility, it is heavier for us; we must be more vigilant. If you observe the people, the youth, the religious individuals, and suppose their avoidance of sin is to a certain extent, their attention to the Quran, to worship is to a certain extent, you must have this spirit of avoiding the forbidden and embracing the obligatory and permissible more than them; you must feel more responsible.

Well, but self-forgetfulness relates to society. On a social scale, self-forgetfulness is more important. There is a noble verse in the Quran, in Surah al-Tawbah — of course, this noble verse is about the hypocrites — that greatly draws my attention when I reach this point and read it. The part of the verse that I am concerned with is this: "So enjoy what you have earned, and you enjoyed what you have earned just as those before you enjoyed what they earned, and you have plunged as they plunged" (Quran 9:69); this [matter] shakes a person. Well, before the Islamic Republic, this country had rulers, governors, and managers who acted, had misdeeds, and wrongdoings; this revolution, with all its efforts, with all its hardships, with the miracle of someone like Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) — who truly his presence and existence at this time was something akin to a miracle — with numerous sacrifices, with the loss of many dear and outstanding young people, with all of this, triumphed and was preserved, and this Islamic Republic system was established. Well, if we gradually go towards the same situation, the same actions, the same path that the managers of the Pahlavi era took, this is a very great crime; this verse indicates this. "So enjoy what you have earned"; those who were before you assumed a share and benefit for themselves, they took that share and benefit. "And you enjoyed what you have earned"; you also assumed a share and benefit for yourselves, you also took that benefit. "Just as those before you enjoyed what they earned"; you acted like them. "And you plunged as they plunged"; if this happens, it is a great cause for concern; such a thing would be an unparalleled loss. Of course, the Almighty God, His grace and favor, and guidance have not allowed the Islamic Republic to fall into such a situation until now, but we must be afraid, we must be vigilant.

"Social self-forgetfulness" means this: we forget our identity, we forget the philosophical basis of the Islamic Republic. We should not act in the same way that before us acted in foreign policy, in domestic policy, in managing the affairs of the country, in distributing privileges and resources of the country. Their way was another way, our way is another way, our identity is a different identity. If we forget this, this becomes the same self-forgetfulness on a social scale, which is a great loss. Relying on foreigners, living based on transgression, based on corruption, based on favoritism, benefiting from unhealthy means; well, the structure of the Islamic civilization and the Islamic system that we seek to establish is completely contrary to this. We cannot imitate others [in this regard].

Well, now I would like to say a few words in this regard. The structure of the Islamic system is based on Quranic principles and ideals. The Quran has not neglected anything. In the interpretation of the Quran, in explaining Quranic concepts, our narrations, the words of the infallibles, the noble Nahj al-Balaghah, have not neglected any point. The Islamic system, the Islamic country, the Islamic population has a specific definition based on these criteria and these ideals and these goals that are outlined in the Book and the Sunnah. We must move towards these ideals. Values are defined, musts and must-nots are defined; we must move towards these musts and must-nots, our efforts must be directed in this direction.

We cannot follow the foundations of Western material civilization in our various political, economic, and other issues. Of course, Western civilization has its advantages; there is no doubt about that. From any advantage anywhere in the world, in the West and East, far and near, wherever there is an advantage that we can learn from, we must [utilize] it; there is no doubt about that, but we cannot rely on the foundations of that civilization. The foundations of that civilization are erroneous foundations, contrary to Islamic foundations; the values of that civilization are different values. Therefore, you see that legally, socially, and in terms of media, they easily reach things that you — as a Muslim or someone familiar with the Quran — would be ashamed to even think about. Therefore, we must not fall into "So He caused them to forget themselves" in this issue of following Western civilization.

Of course, Western civilization has fortunately revealed its true nature over time. The facade that Western civilization had in the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, which dazzled the eyes of viewers from afar, no longer exists today. Western civilization has been disgraced by colonialism, by imposing its demands on other countries, by seizing the wealth of other countries and nations, by widespread massacres, by double standards, by the false claim of human rights, by the false claim of women's rights; these have disgraced Western civilization and revealed its true nature. They have removed the moral boundary between men and women. They claim to be indifferent to values and give everyone the freedom to live according to their own opinions and values. [Of course] they lie! A woman wearing a hijab in a European country is attacked and injured, she goes to court; the court is busy trying her, and in the same court session, the one who previously struck her strikes her again and kills her! Water does not stir! This means that the double standards in the West are truly disgraceful for Western civilization, revealing their claims.

They claim to have free circulation of information; is that really the case? Is there free circulation of information in the West now? Can you mention the name of Haj Qassem, the name of Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah, the name of Martyr Haniyeh in the virtual space belonging to the West? Can you protest against the crimes being committed in Palestine and Lebanon by the Zionists? Can you deny the alleged events related to Hitler's Germany against the Jews? Is this the free circulation of information? This means that this civilization has revealed its true nature today. You see the statements made by Western leaders. Specifically — this is not my statement, it is the statement of deep and precise Western sociologists — Western civilization is moving more and more towards decline; this is the case.

Well, we have no right to follow the foundations of this civilization, to follow it. We have our own identity, and fortunately, this identity is becoming more and more prominent in the world; of course, there is so much propaganda against it, so much! One of the instances of these double standards and free circulation of information is that you see in which of the foreign media is there any statement about Iran that aligns with the realities of Iran. You have scientific progress, it is not reflected; you have a popular gathering, it is not reflected; you have great successes in various fields, it is not reflected; you have one failure, it is reported tenfold! This is how free information is! Their approach to various issues, to different individuals is not the same, it is different.

Therefore, it is important that we, the officials of the Islamic Republic, recognize the true identity of the Islamic system, do not forget it, and pursue it. The same points that the President mentioned, these are all confirmed by all those who are familiar with the Quran, the Sunnah, and Nahj al-Balaghah; it is all the same; these must be planned, these must be pursued, these must be acted upon; this will elevate the country and make the Iranian nation more precious than it is; this will be able to set an example for nations and even for the statesmen of many countries if we can correctly carry out this movement and move forward. Now, I do have a few small remarks regarding this movement and going forward that I will mention now. Well, this is about the issues related to the month of Ramadan.

Regarding the issues of the country, what is of primary importance is the issue of the economy. Well, we all know that in recent years, particularly from the beginning of the 90s until today, economic problems have plagued the country; today, the issue is the economy, it is an important issue. And let us also keep in mind that the threats posed by the enemies are primarily directed at the livelihood of the people; primarily, security threats, intelligence threats are directed at the livelihood of the people; that is, the overall intent and plan is to make it so that the Islamic Republic cannot manage the livelihood of the people, and this will have its consequences; they are pursuing this. Therefore, the issue of livelihood is truly an important issue and must be seriously pursued to rectify this matter; the responsible agencies must direct most of their efforts towards this issue. Of course, one of the factors is foreign sanctions. There is no doubt that the sanctions of the powers have an impact on our current economic situation and the livelihood of the people, but this is not the whole story. There are some factors that have nothing to do with sanctions. Now I will mention some of these during my talk.

Now what should we do? One of the first things that must be done is internal cohesion among various agencies; both the agencies within the executive branch must be fully connected, cooperate; and the three branches must work together alongside the armed forces. The first condition is "cohesion". If we want the work to progress, this cohesion must truly happen. Well, fortunately, today this is somewhat the case; at higher levels, this is the case [but] it must also exist at the lower levels and within the ranks; this same cohesion, this same cooperation must exist.

Another important point that has a fundamental impact on our work, including in the issue of the economy, is speed of action. We move slowly, we work slowly. A constructive idea comes to our mind that must be acted upon; suppose, for example, the north-south route; from the time this idea comes to our mind until we decide to carry out this work, a significant distance arises; while sometimes this distance can be reduced to one-tenth; we decide late. Then when we decide, until we start executing, again a distance arises; well, we decided, we must act. When we understand, we decide, we know that this work must be done, we should immediately start acting. Then when we start acting, until we achieve results, a distance arises. The reason for this [slowness] is primarily lack of follow-up. One of the recommendations I have often made to the esteemed officials, the esteemed managers, the esteemed presidents over the years is this: they should follow up on the work. You make a decision, you take an action, you assign a responsibility to someone, they say yes, they do not lie, they pass it on to their next person [but] in the middle of the work, it gets stalled; one must go, one must see closely, one must not abandon the work; these distances must be reduced. The distance between thought and decision, between decision and execution, between execution and result is very large; this must be acted upon with speed. This is the next point.

Unfortunately, it has been observed that some of our managers think that the safest action is not to make a decision; because making a decision carries the risk of mistakes and dangers and then being held accountable and caught, and similar things; therefore, the safest thing is not to make a decision, not to follow up on the work. This notion that we think, for our peace of mind, we should not get too worked up, not get too anxious, let it be, if it happens, it happens [if not, it does not] is one of the most dangerous thoughts. The Almighty God questions about inactions as well; divine questioning is not only related to actions, it is also related to inactions.

One point regarding the economy is that the officials of the country should recognize the existing capacities of the country; our capacities are many. We repeatedly say: "capacities, talents, potentials", but we do not delve into the depth of the work.

One of our main capacities is our youth, who sometimes do things that astonish a person; in the fields of economic issues, in the fields of scientific matters, in the fields of research, in the fields of innovation and creativity. This is one of our most important capacities.

One of our natural resources is our natural resources, which are among the best and richest in the world; our oil resources, our mineral resources, various minerals and metals, and so on, are among the best resources in the world. I once mentioned a statistic — now, of course, I do not remember, but at that time I had seen an accurate statistic — that our population is one-hundredth of the world’s population; that is, out of eight billion, suppose we are eighty million, [while] many of our essential mines are two-hundredths, three-hundredths, five-hundredths, or eight-hundredths of the world’s reserves. Therefore, in terms of natural resources, we are ahead of many countries in the world. We must recognize these resources. Reports reach us that some resources are still undiscovered by the relevant officials, they are still unaware that we have this resource and that resource in a certain part of the country. This is very important; both the type of resources and the quantity of resources. This is also one of the capacities.

The third capacity is progress in science and technology. We are in a good position regarding our progress in science and technology. Of course, it was better a few years ago; about ten to twelve years ago, foreign sources said that Iran's growth rate in scientific and research progress was thirteen times the world average — the growth rate — which I said at that time that we should not let this speed decrease, [because] we will fall behind; well, the world is also moving. Now it may not be at that level, but our progress is very good.

One of the real problems of our economy is the issue of smuggling; smuggling in both directions. Some things are smuggled out of here that are one hundred percent detrimental to the country, and some things are smuggled in from outside that are one hundred percent detrimental to the country.

Well, what I have just mentioned has nothing to do with sanctions and the like. If we do not have speed of action, if we do not pursue the work with the necessary criteria and measures, this has nothing to do with sanctions, it relates to ourselves. If we do not take serious action regarding smuggling, this does not relate to the enemy, it does not relate to the sanctioner; we must not allow it. We must not allow it. There is a way; preventing smuggling is not impossible. Of course, we know it is a difficult task, but it is a possible task; this possible task must be carried out. I have heard that for some time now, the reward for discovering smuggling has been removed. Well, this reduces the incentive for discovering smuggling. [Or the issue of] border markets and similar matters.

One of the important topics related to the economy is reforming the currency system of the country. First and foremost, strengthening the national currency; now the policy, the program, and the quality of the work must be chosen by specialists. The national currency must be strengthened; this affects both the reality of people's lives and the dignity of the country. Even if, for example, they say, "There is a formula that if we follow it, inflation will decrease, it may even become single-digit, but the price of currency will go up to such and such a level," this is not correct; because if the value of the national currency decreases with the rise in the price of currency, even if inflation is low, this currency has no value, and purchasing power for poor and weak people does not arise. If you want to increase purchasing power for the people, you must pay attention to the national currency; one of the most fundamental tasks is this.

Regarding currency, the return of currencies from those who have foreign currency export income is very important. I heard during the time of the late Mr. Raisi (may God’s mercy be upon him) it was said that some large companies, that is, large and important state-owned companies that belong to the government, have exports, foreign currency income that does not return to the Central Bank. He had thought of a remedy, which was that these companies should commit to carrying out a significant project in the country; for example, suppose they provide drinking water and agricultural water for a certain water-scarce region, or they build a refinery or a power plant of, say, two hundred megawatts, three hundred megawatts; they had promised. Two or three months later, I asked him, I said, what happened to this work that these companies were supposed to do, he did not have information. He said, I will ask and give you an answer. After about a week or two, he gave me a report, he said, they gave this report. I looked and saw that this report was meaningless; it was empty! This report does not indicate any action, [but] just a bunch of numbers lined up. He was pursuing this work. Well, these are among the tasks that must be carried out. If the foreign currency income belongs to a company that is owned by the government, how can this not be made available to the government? How can it not be made available to the Central Bank? Why? A fundamental solution must be found for this; that is, these are all things that affect the livelihood of the people.

The issue of production — which I have repeatedly emphasized — is very important. [There must be] legal support for production; resources must be equipped for production. Obstacles to production — obstacles that are sometimes organizational and bureaucratic and unnecessary — must be removed.

Meeting domestic needs from domestic production. Who should meet their needs from domestic production? The people. What about the government? More than all the people, the government is a consumer. The government consumes many of the productions. Government agencies must be obliged not to import anything that is produced domestically and consume it; one of the tasks is this. Enhancing technology and innovation in the field of production is important.

One of the important topics in the country's economy is the issue of investment, which has been a problem for us over many years. Of course, one of the goals of sanctions is to prevent foreign investment, but there is a way — which now the President has made a reference to during his talk — there is a way for us to be able to invest; it is important that investment is made domestically; this work must be facilitated for the investor; the investor must feel that this work is profitable for them, beneficial, and they can do it; this will advance the country. And so on. Therefore, economic issues are important issues. Economic officials — both within the government and outside the government — are sensitive and aware of this issue. And these points that we have mentioned are, in our opinion, noteworthy points and must be pursued.

One word also regarding foreign policy issues. Well, thanks be to God, our Ministry of Foreign Affairs is active; it is among the active foreign ministries. The issue of neighbors that he mentioned is an important issue; other countries, not just neighbors, are the same. However, there are one or two points. That some of the bully governments — truly, I have no better expression for some of the personalities and foreign leaders than this word "bully" — insist on negotiation, their negotiation is not for solving issues, it is for domination. [They say] let’s negotiate so that we can impose what we want on the negotiating party — the one sitting across the table — if they accept, that’s great; if they do not accept, we will create a fuss that they have distanced themselves from the negotiating table, they have stood up from the table! This is domination. Negotiation for them is a way, a path for presenting new demands. The issue is not just the nuclear issue that they are now discussing; they present new demands that these new demands from Iran will certainly not be met; [for example] regarding the country’s defensive capabilities, regarding the country’s international capabilities, that do not do this, do not see that person, do not go there, do not produce that thing, your missile range must not exceed that amount! Can anyone accept these? Negotiation is for these things. And of course, they repeat the name of negotiation so that they can create pressure in public opinion that yes, [this] side is ready for negotiation, why are you not ready? [This] is not negotiation; it is domination, it is imposition. In addition to other aspects, which now is not the place to discuss, and I do not intend to enter this issue today; perhaps at some point we may discuss it; but in general, this is the issue.

Now those three European countries also issue statements, announcing that Iran has not fulfilled its nuclear commitments in the JCPOA! From this side, one of them should ask [did] you fulfill your commitments? You say Iran has not fulfilled its commitments in the JCPOA; very well, did you fulfill your commitments in the JCPOA? You did not act from the very beginning; after the United States withdrew, you promised that you would compensate in some way, you broke your promise; again you said something else, you broke that second promise as well. Ultimately, there is a limit to shamelessness; a person does not fulfill their commitments and then tells the other side: "Why do you not fulfill your commitments?" The previous government endured for a year; then the Islamic Consultative Assembly entered the field and passed a resolution; there was no other way. Now it is the same; now, in the face of force, in the face of bullying, there is no way [other than standing firm].

O Lord! We beseech You by Muhammad and the family of Muhammad to grant us the blessings of Ramadan. O Lord! Be pleased with us for the pure soul of Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) and the martyrs who opened this path for us, kept it open, and sacrificed themselves on this path; elevate their ranks. O Lord! Provide true spiritual and material healing for the wounds inflicted on the bodies of the resilient fighters in the region; and grant it. O Lord! By Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, humiliate and disgrace the enemies of the Islamic Republic; elevate the Iranian nation, the Muslim nation of Iran, to their true dignity and status; make the Islamic Ummah proud; grant all the oppressed and deprived of the world the blessings of Your grace; include Your satisfaction upon us; make what we said and heard for You and in Your way, and grant our supplication; and in these blessed nights and noble days, include us in Your forgiveness; and forgive our fathers, mothers, and deceased and predecessors.

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