In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
All praise is due to God, Lord of the Worlds, and may peace and greetings be upon our Master and our Prophet, Abul Qasim al-Mustafa Muhammad, and upon his untainted, pure Progeny, particularly the Remnant of God on earth.
First of all, I would like to wholeheartedly praise and honor these days of Arbaeen and thank Almighty God for the people’s participation in the Arbaeen Walk, which was carried out with God’s grace.
I congratulate you, my dear brothers and sisters, on National Government Week, and I hope that, God willing, this week will always be a week of hope, good tidings, and uplifting reports throughout the numerous years of your time in office.
We pay tribute to our dear martyrs, Martyr Rajai and Martyr Bahonar, whose memory we commemorate [every year] this week, which is designated as "National Government Week" in their honor. This name holds profound significance as it reflects our government's commitment to honoring these martyrs and their way. And this is a commitment that, praise God, has more or less been carried out.
We honor the memory of our dear martyr, the late President Mr. Raisi. We ask Almighty God to ensure that the good, outstanding repute that He has granted him be eternal and everlasting. May God elevate his rank and also that of his companions, including his foreign minister [Hossein Amir-Abdollahian].
We thank God that by His grace the administration has been formed through the efforts of our President and the invaluable support of the Majlis [Iranian Parliament]. This is a great blessing. In some previous administrations, it sometimes took nearly a month or longer for the administration to be formed since not all ministers were able to secure a vote of confidence from the Majlis. God has been gracious toward you, us, and the country, because, praise God, all the ministers have gained the Majlis’s trust and vote of confidence.
Those who had a part in this election and the formation of this administration — after that tragic, bitter accident [the helicopter crash which claimed the lives of former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his entourage] — will be rewarded by Almighty God. [These people include] the officials from the previous administration, the IRIB, the various officials who helped ensure that following that tragic, bitter accident the country was able to carry out the electoral process with enthusiasm, the presidential election was conducted with complete security and integrity, and ministers were subsequently chosen. We must truly thank all of these people and be truly thankful to Almighty God. I will now address some points and then discuss this matter of being thankful again shortly.
The President too entered this field with hard work and diligence in order to select the ministers that will be working with him. He consulted with me as well, and I endorsed some of the individuals whom I knew or whose competence had been reported to me through reliable sources. And some of the individuals, I strongly endorsed. [However,] I didn’t know the majority of them, so I told him I don’t have any opinion about them. Praise God, he successfully made his selections and was able to convince the Majlis. This was a great achievement, and we thank God.
Today, all of these honorable ministers — you, our dear brothers and sisters who have gained the trust of the President and the Majlis — are the high-ranking officials of this country. It is our duty to support and assist you if you need assistance and to strive to ensure that, God willing, you succeed in your endeavors.
I have noted a few points that I would like to share with you. The first is about being grateful to God. You are now in a position where you can contribute to the progress of your country and play a role in managing its affairs. Being a minister has given you such an opportunity. This is a divine blessing — being able to serve the people is a great blessing. Many people wish to serve the people, but they don’t have the opportunity. God has granted you this opportunity. So thank God, be grateful, seek help from Almighty God, regard this responsibility to be a trust from God and the people, and be careful to uphold this great responsibility and mission.
Of course, these four years are a portion of a person's life that pass by as quickly as lightning. Now at the age of 85, when I look back, I see that these 85 years have flown by at lightning speed. This is how it is. Four years go by quickly, but during this fleeting time, great things can be accomplished. Amir Kabir ruled the country for three years and established significant foundations. Our dear Mr. Raisi too governed and led the country for three years. He did some great things and laid the foundation for certain initiatives that, God willing, the country will benefit from in the future. Therefore, it’s possible to do things. Over the course of these four years, you can accomplish great feats, God willing, in health and well-being.
The second point is that a key factor affecting the efficiency of government officials is their ability to know the resources, understand the assets at their disposal, and identify the talents and capacities that can be harnessed. Over the course of many long years, I have encountered numerous officials who failed to recognize these capacities. They didn’t know the country’s human resources, nor did they know its natural resources. At one point, an official told me that we needed to rely on foreign engineers to build our highways! Today, thanks to the country’s youth, highways and freeways have been constructed throughout the country without a need for foreign assistance. This lack of knowing [the capacities] is a big shortcoming. I have various other examples in mind [in this regard,] but it’s not necessary to mention them.
Recognize the assets. We currently possess abundant wealth, and our capacities are many times greater than what we are using. We have various types of assets and capacities, which include both those we are using and potential [assets and capacities]. One of these is the capacities that exist naturally. We have many underground resources. We have oil, gas, and a myriad of other valuable resources. Even in our deserts, those who are experts on deserts once told me that we have immense resources there. The value of those resources is greater than that of oil and gas. We have these things.
We have a unique geographical position in the region. In terms of our location, we are at the crossroads between the north and south, and the east and west. This is a very important position. In terms of climate, the diversity of our climates provides us with a very significant opportunity. Our extensive coastline along the open sea offers us opportunities. Our islands and our shores are all opportunities. The Makran region — which, fortunately, the President mentioned a few times during our conversations and he is sensitive about this issue — is a great opportunity. We have many opportunities like these. These are some of our opportunities that exist naturally.
Another type of opportunity is human resources and human capacities. Our educated youth, we have millions of educated young people in this country who are eager to work. If we can benefit from them, recognize them, and harness their energy and ideas, we can create a world of work for the country. [We have] educated young people, brilliant talents, scientific capabilities, and the ability to foster geniuses.
You see, when we look at figures likes Khajeh Nasir al-Din Tusi, Ibn Sina [Avicenna], Zakariya Razi, Mulla Sadra, or other prominent scholars from our country’s history, it shows us that the limit for our intellectual and scientific aspirations is very high, and we have the ability to reach those heights. Even after a thousand years, Ibn Sina's works are still relevant worldwide. This is a very important matter. It is a remarkable phenomenon. We have the capability to foster geniuses. In other words, geniuses can be brought up from among our youth. These are [examples of] our human opportunities and assets.
The faith of our people is one of our capacities. This faith that people have — their religious faith and political faith — is very valuable. This is also one kind of capacity. Another type of capacity involves the country’s political capacities, such as our strategic depth. There was a time when Iran was associated with its carpets and oil, but today, Iran is known around the world for its science, military advancements, regional strength, and strategic depth. This is an opportunity that is at our disposal. Being able to influence countries around the world and in the region is not a small matter. It is very significant. This is also one of the opportunities at our disposal.
Another opportunity, which is one of the most valuable opportunities, is experience. We must cherish these experiences. “Wisdom means preserving experiences.” This is what the Commander of the Faithful [Imam Ali (pbuh)] states. Imam Ali (pbuh) considers using and preserving experiences to be a sign of wisdom, “The best experience is one that teaches you” (Nahj al-Balaghah, letter 31). An experience that can teach you something and open the way for you [is valuable].
We have a wealth of experiences. Different administrations have come and done things that have become experiences for us. There have been things they shouldn't have done, but they did them. [As a consequence,] we suffered losses. And there have been things they should have done and they did them, and we benefited from this. All of these things are experiences that we can learn from.
The next point is about the selection of colleagues. You will eventually be selecting your colleagues. I suggest you choose colleagues who possess the following characteristics: young, faithful, revolutionary, committed, and highly motivated. These are the kinds of people who can truly assist you. In various scientific and research departments — such as in the nuclear sector, in the nanotechnology sector, in stem cell sector, and in various other departments that are an important part of global scientific and research areas — we've benefitted from the potential of these young people and made progress. Praise God, significant advancements have been achieved. These are the characteristics [you need to look for]. Benefit from these young people. They can solve problems.
Furthermore, when you bring in these young people and place them in various managerial positions starting from the bottom, you're essentially training a generation of highly motivated managers for the future. In other words, by bringing young people into your organization, they gain the experience they need and you train an eminent generation of highly motivated leaders. I believe this is very valuable. In my conversations with the President, we discussed this very topic. If he can prepare, for example, 100 faithful, motivated, revolutionary, committed young people and give them to the country at the end of his term, I believe he will have accomplished something truly significant. So, this was with regard to the issue of choosing your colleagues. The late Martyr Raisi was very successful in this field. God willing, the success that awaits you will be several times more than that.
The fourth point is about seeking the opinions of experts. In Dr. Pezeshkian’s campaigning and the statements he has made, there has been a repeated reference to consulting experts. I firmly believe in this matter of consulting experts. I believe that when administrations use the advice of experts, their governance becomes wise and thoughtful, rather than being influenced by political parties, friendships, or other’s recommendations.
One of the characteristics of using experts is that sometimes you use an expert evaluation contrary to the wishes of a few friends, acquaintances, influential people, and the like. You may upset them, but you satisfy the nation and help the country to advance. This is how benefitting from experts is. I affirm and emphasize the importance of benefitting from experts.
However, there is a point to consider when selecting an expert. Sometimes in certain cases, the incorrect mental debris of an expert are presented in the language of expertise and disguised as an expert opinion. This can create problems, and the incorrect opinions that dominate the mind of that expert or their personal characteristics could become imposed on you.
Imam Ali (pbuh) has made a recommendation in this area as well, “Do not refer to a miser in your consultations ... nor a coward.” Do not consult a miser. What does this mean? It means the expert you’re referring to shouldn’t be miserly. Why? Because when you want to help someone, that miser will stop you and tell you that your pockets will be emptied.
Don’t consult someone who is a coward. Don’t seek expert advice from a timid person. Because whenever you want to undertake a great task or take a significant step, they will scare you by saying that if you do this, this will happen and that will happen. “And do not consult a greedy person” (Nahj al-Balaghah, letter 53). Don’t ask for their expert opinion, because a greedy person will transfer their greed to you. Now, these are just examples. So the character traits of the person we are consulting with can affect the advice they give us and create problems for us.
Therefore, we must be careful to consult experts who are faithful, honest, believe in the country’s domestic and national capabilities, and recognize our national assets. We must refrain from consulting experts who seek to implement the outdated solutions used by foreigners. Sometimes, an economic, social, or political policy that was considered in other countries some 50 or 70 years ago and has since been discarded, is raised and discussed here! Be careful not to use such experts. Otherwise, the principle of seeking the opinions of experts is truly essential.
The next issue is about being present among the people. If you make a trip to one of the provinces and hear some people saying this is populism or some kind of demagoguery, don’t pay any attention to such remarks. One cannot understand the reality of what is happening in people's lives through memos and written reports. You need to go, see, and hear things from the people themselves. When you go, you will realize that there are significant differences between what you’re told in reports and the reality. I’m not saying that all reports are false or incorrect. No, there are good reports too. However, reports don’t show the reality of the situation. As I was coming here, I asked someone who had just returned from the Arbaeen Walk, “How was it? Was it a good trip?” They said, “If all the ulama [religious scholars], poets, and scientists were to gather together to describe it, they wouldn’t be able to describe even one thousandth of what is happening there!” Someone told me this just an hour ago. So seeing something firsthand is entirely different.
Go among the people. Become friends with the people and have conversations with them. In some places, it’s necessary to visit people’s homes in towns or villages. In areas that have been affected by an earthquake or a flood, go into the tents where the people are living and then make decisions based on what you see. Therefore, being among the people is very good and making trips to the provinces is very good, and God willing, you will be successful in this.
The next issue is about justice. Well, "justice" is a term that is often repeated by all of us. Dr. Pezehkian has spoken about justice and its importance during the elections, during his election campaign, after the elections, and also in our meeting today. This is indeed the case. Now I don’t want to discuss the need for justice. It’s one of the evident principles of our system, the Islamic system, and the Revolution itself. That’s not the issue.
The question is how do we achieve justice? What’s the solution? Well, we all want justice to be established. Laws, regulations, rules, and various programs are constantly being approved, announced, and implemented. What’s the relationship between these things and justice? How much can they ensure the kind of justice that we desire and constantly talk about?
Several years ago, I proposed “justice attachments.” I said that for every law or major decision you make, an attachment regarding justice must be prepared. The late Mr. Raisi made some progress in this matter and did some work on this, but it remained unfinished. I want to tell you this recommendation that a justice attachment is necessary. A justice attachment isn’t just an administrative procedure or a formality. It’s a real measure.
So, for example, institutions like the Planning [and Budget] Organization, which set up programs, make decisions, prepare laws, and draft governmental bills, must have a monitoring mechanism in place, either from within themselves or carried out by individuals appointed by the President. They need to examine how the impact of these laws and programs will affect inequality in society. Will they reduce or increase it? Will they affect it or not? Will they decrease or increase the gap between the rich and the poor? They should monitor this, and if they see that a program is causing an increase in the gap between the social classes, they need to eliminate that program or that part of the program. This is what a justice attachment means. It's not about attaching a piece of paper to our laws with additional conditions. No! This should be included within the law itself.
This is not an easy task. It is a difficult, challenging job. Of course, I have heard that a number of knowledgeable, intelligent university students have developed a software program for this purpose. If you like, you can contact them. If you find it suitable, use it.
In any case, the issue of justice is not something that can be achieved through words, requests, demands, repetition, threats, or similar means. Justice requires implementation, motivation, and entering the field. Fortunately, the motivation is there. I can see that he [the President] has the motivation for this task. Very well, so find the way. Pursue this issue of how you can implement justice. This must be carried out in a manner that allows no manager or official to deviate from the path leading to justice.
The next point is about prioritizing our actions. We have limited time, little money, and much work to do. We need to identify our priorities — both our priorities concerning fundamental and infrastructural projects and our priorities concerning urgent tasks. We have two types of priorities. Some priorities are related to urgent issues that need to be addressed in the community in a suitable manner. There are issues like inflation, high prices, etc. Some issues are related to the infrastructure — if we don't address these issues today, we'll have to start [dealing with them] 10 years from now.
The doubts some people have about the usefulness of nuclear energy stem from their ignorance about this matter. After all, this country cannot deprive itself of this advanced, scientific, technological capability. If you don't start today, you will have to start in ten years. [At that time,] you will be ten years behind.
For example, one of the things I mentioned was our geographical location. Right now, the government has plans in place for the North-South and East-West corridors. Of course, the North-South corridor is more important. It is very important. The north of our country is connected to a group of countries that leads to Europe and other places. And in the south, there is the sea, the Indian Ocean, and the vast Asian continent. We are situated in the middle of all this. This is an infrastructural priority that we cannot overlook. We must pursue this. These are examples of our infrastructural priorities.
Food security is among the top priorities. Self-sufficiency in wheat and the efficient use of water in agriculture are very important issues with regard to food security. Some innovative agricultural practices have been proposed, and I have heard that some individuals have discussed these with Dr. Pezeshkian. While there may be initial challenges and high costs, these practices are surely promising for the future. We need to pursue these matters, because these are infrastructural projects. These are our priorities.
Another priority is development in the oil sector. We need to advance both upstream and downstream operations. In the upstream sector, this involves exploring wells and new drilling methods that are used worldwide today, but we are currently behind in them. We must use our resources as much as possible to implement these methods. In downstream sector, there are things such as refining and producing final products. Currently, the products being produced in our oil industry are gasoline and diesel, but these are not final products. There are other products that are said to be achievable too. These are our priorities that, God willing, should be attended to.
The next point that I have written down, which is the eighth point, is about cyberspace. Cyberspace is an entirely new world. You're probably more aware of this than I am. Cyberspace today is no longer just something virtual. It’s a reality in people’s lives today, and it’s advancing day by day. What’s important is that there should be rules in place for cyberspace. This is why I have occasionally said cyberspace is unchecked and unregulated. [There should be] Rules based on the law. If you don't have a law in place for this, make one and take control of the situation according to that law. The entire world is doing this.
See how this poor young man [Telegram CEO, Pavel Durov] is being treated by the French. This is how strict they are about it. They arrest him, imprison him, and threaten to sentence him to 20 years in prison. This is because he violated their rules. The violation of rules is unacceptable. You are running a country, and you have a duty toward it and a mission to fulfill. Your rules cannot and should not be violated.
That is the issue at hand. This is the basis of my view regarding cyberspace. I have spoken about this before, [but] some people interpret or understand it differently, or they may not want to understand this at all. But the point I want to make is this that cyberspace needs to be regulated in our country. Only then will it become an opportunity. If we are able to establish regulation of cyberspace based on laws, it will turn into an opportunity for the country. Otherwise, it can be a threat.
I would like to raise the issue of artificial intelligence, which I briefly mentioned during the [President’s] endorsement ceremony too. You see, artificial intelligence is advancing at an astounding pace today and is amazing people with the speed at which this strange technology is progressing in the world. Well, our various organizations, both military and non-military organizations, are currently using artificial intelligence, but this shouldn’t deceive us. With regard to artificial intelligence, being a user is not an advantage. This technology has deep layers and they must be mastered. Those layers are in the hands of other people. If you fail to be able to provide the deep, diverse layers of artificial intelligence, in the future a facility similar to a nuclear power station or an atomic agency will be established to control AI. They are currently laying the groundwork for this. If such an agency is established, you will have to get permission to use artificial intelligence in certain fields and will be prohibited from using it in other areas. This is what the world’s crafty people, the opportunists and the power-seekers, are after. An agency for artificial intelligence will be created, and then they will prevent you from crossing their boundaries. You must reach the deep, profound levels of this technology and its foundational layers yourselves. You must pursue the underlying infrastructure of artificial intelligence within the country. Those responsible for these matters must, God willing, pursue these things.
Of course, during the 13th administration, an organization was established called the “National Artificial Intelligence Organization” under the supervision of the President. This was a good initiative that unfortunately remains unfinished. If this organization continues its work under the direct supervision of the President, there is great hope that, God willing, this work will progress in the manner in which it was started.
The next point pertains to the economy. I don’t have much to say in this field. What numerous trusted experts tell us about economic issues is that the key to solving the country’s economic problems lies in production — the supply side. If we can boost production, inflation will be controlled, unemployment will decrease, and the value of our national currency will improve. We must take the issue of production seriously. If we want our country’s domestic production to improve, the government’s support is needed. This cannot be done without government assistance. The improvements in the business environment and the advancements that are always discussed need to be implemented.
A few months ago, a number of entrepreneurs visited me and discussed their ideas. When you listen to what they have to say, you realize that the capabilities of our entrepreneurs are truly astonishing. They can get good things done, sometimes even things that seem impossible. They have made a profit too and also benefited the country. They have all repeatedly said that they need the government’s support. [So] the government should assist them.
Another important issue is the country’s aging population. This is a very important matter. Forty years ago, our population growth rate was 3.5%, which is actually a very high growth rate. Well, some people panicked, imposed regulations, and created limitations. Now, that growth rate of 3.5% — although I don't know the exact figures and I don't have the latest statistics — has become about 0.5% or something close to that at most. Yet we still want to apply the same regulations! This is not acceptable.
Regulations must be flexible. If the population grows uncontrollably one day, you should curb that growth and that is a good thing. [But] another day, if population growth stops or even declines and the country ages, you must immediately change the regulations according to the country's needs. I urge Dr. Zafarqandi, the esteemed Minister of Health, to personally, seriously focus on and follow up on this matter. It is essential to actively pursue this issue and not allow the numerous barriers to reproduction and childbirth to continue. You must master these matters completely.
Many of you carried out tasks when you were young that you may not be able to do today. We need young people in the country. If, God forbid, the country is confronted with this bitter, difficult fate — that is, an aging population — there will no longer be any remedy for this. Many countries today are afflicted by this issue. This is the issue regarding our population.
One issue is the matter of not being afraid of obstacles. To all the ladies and gentlemen [here], I want to emphasize that there is no endeavor that doesn’t have any obstacles to it. You won’t find any plan that doesn’t encounter obstacles. There are always obstacles along the way. When some individuals encounter an obstacle, their first option is to retreat. This approach is wrong. Work to overcome the obstacle and try to find a way around it. After doing everything you can, sometimes a person may resort to a tactical retreat. There’s nothing wrong with that. But it shouldn't be such that as soon as we encounter an obstacle, we immediately turn back from our words, opinions, or plans. Don’t be afraid of obstacles. This was my next recommendation.
Don’t place your hopes in the enemy either. He [President Pezeshkian] also made a reference to this. Apparently, our respected Foreign Minister [Abbas Araqchi] also referred to this a couple of days ago. We mustn’t place our hopes in the enemy. Don’t be waiting for the enemies or those who show enmity toward us to approve our plans. This doesn’t mean that we cannot interact with that same enemy in certain situations. There’s no harm in that, but don’t place your hopes in the enemy and don’t trust the enemy.
The last point I want to make is that during your time in office, focus as much as you can on your spirituality. My dear ones! We all need a heart that is full of faith, worship acts, being in touch with the Quran more, and beseeching God more. We truly need all of these. What I specifically recommend is for you to pray humbly. Perform your prayers on time, pray in congregation whenever possible, and it is much better if you can pray in your workplace with your staff members.
You are a role model for a number of people. First and foremost, your employees look at you, but also, the general public is watching you. Your behavior, your attire, and even your facial expressions influence many people. You need to keep this in mind. There are certain standards you must uphold, standards that perhaps an ordinary person may not be expected to maintain. I wouldn’t give this recommendation to the general public, but I give it to you because you are role models. People watch you and learn from you. Your behaviors contribute to shaping a set of behaviors in the country.
Ask Almighty God for help and beseech Him for His assistance. If you can, and if you are blessed with this opportunity, perform the recommended prayers — especially the night prayers. And if you can wake up at sahar [the time before the morning call to prayer], this is much better. Sahar is a great time for being alone with God, talking with Him, and asking Him for your needs. You have stepped up and entered the field of service. Have the intention of wanting to become closer to God and work for Him. If you’re worried that people may say that you are doing these things to show off, know that such words are the whisperings of Satan.
Sometimes when you talk about these things with certain people, they say, “If we do that, others will think we’re trying to show off.” Well, let them say that! In my opinion, we shouldn't surrender to or become imprisoned by these thoughts. Make a promise to God, act in accordance with it, and God willing, He will preserve your honor, grant you dignity, elevate you, and increase your honor.
May Almighty God grant you all success. The speech was a bit long, but God willing, it was useful and effective for all of us to be able to work together for this country, these people, and Islam, God willing.
May God’s greetings, mercy, and blessings be upon you.
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