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 (pbuh), and upon his untainted, pure, chosen Progeny, particularly the Remnant of God on earth.
Welcome my dear brothers and sisters. I extend my greetings to all of you as well as to everyone who is listening to this speech across the country. I would like to share a few words about the Basij with you. The Basij organization was an unparalleled phenomenon that was started in our country. This phenomenon had no precedent in any other place or country in the world and was something exceptional.
I will explain this from various aspects. This phenomenon wasn’t imitating something else or a copy. Rather, it was formed based on our own national culture and history. This is the first point. The result of this is that since this phenomenon is indigenous, it’s enduring. It isn’t something that will be eliminated. It’s fixed and enduring because it has roots. It’s linked to this very nation, its history, and its national and Iranian identity.
This is a form of cultural networking. The Basij is essentially a cultural, social, and of course, military networking. The military aspect of the Basij is what initially comes to mind today. But despite its significance, this aspect is no more important than the cultural and social dimensions of the Basij. Imam [Khomeini] created this networking; it was his innovation. When? In the face of a great threat. This was one of the qualities of our magnanimous Imam.
Most of you weren’t around during Imam Khomeini’s time. This was one of the qualities of our magnanimous Imam. He turned threats into opportunities, and that’s precisely what happened here. On November 4th, 1979, the seizure of the US Spy Den took place. The world’s dominant power at that time, the United States, began to bare its teeth, make threats, and impose sanctions. On November 26th, in the midst of these threats, Imam Khomeini issued an order establishing the Basij. This was just 22 or 23 days after that event.
In other words, when the country had just undergone a revolution, had hardly any equipment to defend itself, and was faced with such a great threat in that situation, the Imam suddenly planted a shajarah tayyibah [blessed tree] in the country’s social, cultural, and military land, which was the “blessed tree” of the Basij. He turned a threat into an opportunity.
Well, we said that the military dimension is one of the dimensions of the Basij. What I wish to point out now is that the Basij is first of all a school of thought, an ideology, and a philosophy. In essence, it is a network of culture and thought. If the Basij engages in military activities, social work, and scientific endeavours — which it does — the root of all these activities is the same logic and ideology that form the foundation of the Basij.
If I were to explain the foundation upon which the Basij is based in two words, I would say [the foundation is] faith and self-confidence. It can also be said to be belief in God and belief in oneself. These are the two pillars of the Basij. The Basij is built on believing in God and believing in oneself. Whatever fruits this tree bears today, tomorrow, and in the future will stem from these two things: belief in God and belief in oneself.
The Basij has many characteristics, which all stem from these two main pillars. The Basij possesses courage, creativity, quick action in carrying out tasks, a broad vision, an understanding of enemies, and sensitivity to various movements. These are the qualities of the Basij. But all of these and other outstanding qualities of the Basij originate from those same two qualities, which becomes entirely clear if we think, analyze, and discuss them. I will discuss this briefly.
When we speak of belief in God, the result of this belief is submission to God, placing our trust in God, and being certain of God's promises. This is what it means to believe in God. First, we submit to God. Second, we rely on God's help and have hope in His assistance. Third, we trust in the promises that God has made to us, such as, “If you help God, He will help you” (Quran 47:7). This explanation was about believing in God.
Let’s look at belief in oneself. The result of self-belief and self-acceptance is discovering one's potential. We are often unaware of our own existing capabilities. We may even overlook our physical abilities, let alone our intellectual and spiritual potential. Self-belief makes us aware of these potentials, then helps us appreciate these potentials, and ultimately enables us to use these potentials. There are many examples for this, but I won’t discuss and go into detail about this now.
When we speak about belief in God — whether in an individual Basij member or in the Basij organization — when this belief exists, the truth of God’s promise will be manifested before one’s eyes. The Quran says, “To Allah belong the armies of the heavens and the earth, and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise” (48:4). In another verse it also says, “To Allah belong the armies of the heavens and the earth, and Allah is Almighty, All-Wise” (48:7). The term “Almighty” [Aziz] refers to one who prevails and is never defeated. That is the meaning of Almighty.
“To Allah belong the armies of the heavens and the earth.” All the infinite components of existence are God’s soldiers. If we are God’s servants, these armies can come to our aid. This is one of the divine and natural laws. However, the command of this army is not in our hands for us to use this divine army whenever we wish. The commander is God. But under certain conditions when we are prepared, this commander allows us to use this army.
These are the words of the Quran. They are the clear statements of the Holy Quran, “Yes, if you are patient and God-wary and the enemy comes upon you suddenly, your Lord will reinforce you with five thousand angels distinctly marked” (3:125). If you are prepared, even God’s angels will come to your aid. We have witnessed such aid. We have seen such divine aid during the Sacred Defense, before it, after it, in the political arena, in the military battlefield, and in the field of science.
Where can we see divine assistance? It can be seen when you do something that seemed impossible in your own opinion, but then it becomes possible and is achieved. Well, these were some points regarding the Basij forces having faith in God. As I mentioned, these points are for both the Basij organization and each individual Basij member. [Other pillar is] believing in oneself. [That is,] understanding one’s intellectual, spiritual, and physical capabilities; valuing willpower and the power to make decisions; and not submitting to the enemy’s will.
There is a factor within us that we often overlook. What is it? It is power in decision-making, willpower. We have willpower; we possess willpower. Sometimes, a person’s will becomes so powerful that it can create something or bring something into existence. We have this power within us, [but] we don’t realize this, we don’t appreciate it, and we fail to strengthen this. In the life of the Basij and in the Basij school of thought, recognizing this innate, internal ability in human beings is a prominent characteristic and an advantage. Well, these characteristics — that you don’t submit to the enemy’s will, you assert your own will, you have confidence in yourself, and you recognize your own strengths — are exactly the opposite of what Global Arrogance plans for nations. They are the exact opposite of their plans.
One of the first things that Global Arrogance — the global powers and dominating powers of the world — does in order to dominate nations is to deny the abilities of those nations and to belittle them. This too is mentioned in the Quran. Regarding Pharaoh, it says, “So he belittled his people, and they obeyed him” (43:54). Now, he was more decent than the sovereigns ruling in today's world, such as the sovereigns ruling in the US and Europe. They too are sovereigns. He was more decent than them. He only treated his own people like that, but these rulers are doing this to other nations.
“So he belittled his people, and they obeyed him” (43:54). He belittled his people, humiliated them, demeaned them, and denied them their privileges, “‘O my people! Do not the kingdom of Egypt and these rivers that run at my feet belong to me?’” (Quran 43:51). The result was that his people saw him as being superior, so they obeyed him. This is colonialism's plan. They denounce your history, your identity, and your abilities. When you want to nationalize the oil of your own country, which is controlled by the British, their elements within the country make speeches and write, “What are you saying! How could Iranians manage the Abadan refinery? Iranians cannot even build a clay ewer!”
That is how they humiliate nations. The Basij is opposed to this. The Basij is opposed to this national humiliation. The dominators manipulate national beliefs in order to be able to dominate nations. Each nation has its own history, its own beliefs, its own great personages, and its own values. They manipulate, destroy, and belittle these.
My dear ones, my brothers, sisters, and children! Iran was humiliated for many years, especially during the Qajar and Pahlavi eras. The Revolution came and turned things around. After World War I, a conference was held in Paris in which many countries participated in order to make decisions about the situation of the world. The participants were those who were involved in or had been hurt by the war. Iran was among those who had been hurt by World War I, and it sent a delegation. However, the Iranian delegation was denied entry to the Paris Conference.
This is how they humiliated nations. The Iranian nation was humiliated like this for some period of time. The Basiji mindset breaks this barrier. This very dangerous weapon of soft power is neutralized by the Basiji mindset. The Basiji mindset brings belief in oneself and gives a teenager and a young person a sense of being on the scene and capable. This was about belief in oneself, and I previously spoke about belief in God. [A Basiji] knows that everything that exists is God’s army, “To Allah belong the armies of the heavens and the earth” (Quran 48:4), and if they move forward on the path of God, this army will come to their help.
It is the same today, and it will be the same tomorrow. Without a doubt, this Basiji spirit, this potential in the Basij, and the way that the Basij is in our country and fortunately in several other countries among the members of the Resistance Front will definitely prevail over all the policies of the US, the West, Global Arrogance, and the Zionist regime.
I would like to make a couple of points about the Basij. One point is that Imam [Khomeini] laid the groundwork for the Basiji mindset during 15 years of movement and struggle before the victory [of the Revolution], and he deeply instilled and generated this mindset within the country. Many of the things I am describing about the Basij took place outside of the official Basij organization. Many of these things even happened before the formal establishment of the Basij organization. For 15 or 16 years from 1962 to 1979, the Imam instilled this Basiji spirit, belief in oneself, belief in God, trust in oneself and in God, hope for victory, and how to show a bright horizon to the Iranian people. He spoke and spoke, and our talented people, our capable youth, took in the Imam’s message.
In the face of all those damaging forces, this message was seen to be acceptable. So, gradually, this movement grew, progressed, expanded, and led to the Revolution, overthrowing a regime that was supported by almost all the global powers. Well, the Pahlavi regime was supported by the US, the Europeans, and even the Soviets supported it toward the end. Everyone supported it. It had abundant resources as well. The Imam overthrew, destroyed, and uprooted this regime without the people even firing a single bullet. Yes, coups do take place in the world, but they are often unsuccessful and short-lived. [But] here, there was no armed conflict. The people came into the field, took control of the field, and pushed the enemy out of the field with their lives, their bodies, and their faith.
After the victory of the Revolution, Imam Khomeini created a shield with the Basij against the various attacks — both before, during, and after the Sacred Defense — in the military field, in the social field, in the scientific field, in the production of weapons, and in international and political arenas. Note that a social power and scientific power lead to the creation of political power. If a nation is able to show its unity, its resolve, its perseverance, its significant number of active forces in the field, its scientific capabilities, and its social capabilities, it then gains political power as well. On the international [stage], it can speak firmly and advance its position. These are things that the Imam (may God be pleased with him) accomplished.
The Basij played a crucial role not only in the Sacred Defense but also in safeguarding the country’s security, in construction work, and in scientific fields. Those who were able to foil the malicious plot of the US regarding 20% enriched uranium, which was essential for the country, were Basiji. Martyr Shahriari was Basiji, and our nuclear martyrs were some of the Basiji scholars of the country. This has a detailed story behind it. We needed 20% enriched uranium for radioisotopes for medical purposes. This was one of the country’s essential needs. We had some from the past, but it was running out and we had to buy more. From whom? From the Americans. The Americans said, “Give us all your 3.5% enriched uranium, and we’ll give you 20% in return.”
To secure this deal, they used two well-known presidents of the time as intermediates, whom I don’t want to name and who had good relations with us. Our country’s officials ultimately accepted this. This happened in the second half of the 2000s. During the negotiations, it became clear that the Americans were trying to deceive us. We realized they were being deceitful, so [we] stopped the process. While they were thinking that Iran would give in because of the country’s urgent need for 20% uranium, at that very time, our Basiji scientists produced 20% uranium on their own! The Americans couldn’t believe this had happened.
I once mentioned here a few years ago that the most difficult part of uranium enrichment is reaching the 20% level. After that, it becomes much easier. While the enemy was trying to deceive us, our Basiji youth, our Basiji scientists, produced 20% enriched uranium themselves making us self-sufficient. The Basij has worked in all these fields. In global interactions, the Basij has been active. So in military matters, social issues, science, and international politics, the Basij has been an active, efficient, capable force with immense capabilities.
As I mentioned earlier, much of this hasn’t taken place inside the Basij organization, of course. It’s taken place outside the Basij. But the things that are important for us are the Basiji spirit, the Basiji school of thought, and the Basiji culture. Try to not lose these. You, today’s Basij, wherever you are — whether in factories, universities, Islamic seminaries, scientific laboratories, or in the battlefield — must not lose this distinction, this spirit, this readiness, this sensitivity to the events around you. Be prepared. This is the first point.
The second point is that in today’s world, many young people in different countries come to a mental dead end and feel useless. They are young, have no ideals, no goals, and feel useless. Of course, many people are thick-skinned, but some people are sensitive, feel useless, and [as a result] suicide rates go up. You hear about this, and you read in the statistics that suicide rates are increasing around the world. The reason is that young people feel they have come to a mental dead end, feel useless, and feel powerless in the face of the various obstacles in their way. This feeling of helplessness drives them into a dead end. The “Basiji mindset” breaks open the dead end.
One of the characteristics of the Basiji mindset and Basiji culture is that it breaks open the dead ends. It doesn’t allow a young person to come to a dead end. Why? Because as I pointed out earlier, first of all, the Basij has confidence in themselves and their abilities. They know that they can if they put in the effort. Second, they aren’t intimidated by the empty threats of the Domineering Powers. This is what the Basij is after all. Now, look at the propaganda of the US, the Zionist regime, and others. They create a tumult over various issues, whether true or false. The Basiji youth smile mockingly at this clamor and pay no attention. They aren’t intimidated. Third, the Basiji youth have ideals and have goals. They aren’t without a goal, and they have faith in their goals. The goal of the Basiji youth is an “Islamic society,” and after that, an “Islamic civilization.” They are moving toward this goal. The goal of the Basiji youth is the “establishment of justice.” They believe they can achieve this, and they move forward on this path.
The Basiji youth aren’t even afraid of death. As you saw during the Sacred Defense, they would come crying and pleading to be allowed to go [to the battlefield]. They weren’t old enough, so they weren’t allowed. They would cry and plead. This was about 35 or 40 years ago, and it was the same just a few years ago for the Defense of the Shrine [in Syria]. During the Defense of the Shrine, many young people wrote to me and some even came to see me. They would ask, “Sir, please allow us to go.” They weren’t given permission, but they would find a group that had permission to go and join them anyway. Well, you’ve surely heard their stories, you’ve read about their experiences, and you know about this. They aren’t afraid of death. This eventually leads to martyrdom. They believe in martyrdom. They believe that if they die on this path, they will reach the highest spiritual, divine ranks. So for them, the path is open. There is no dead end. Such a person doesn’t feel they’ve come to a dead end anymore because a dead end doesn’t exist for them. This is why the Iranian Basiji is certain that one day, without a doubt, they will definitely eliminate the Zionist regime.
The next point is that the Basij must be strengthened in this country day by day. It must be reinforced. The flag of the Basij is the flag of defending people's rights. It’s the flag of defending the truth. This flag must always be raised high. This needs support and strengthening. How can we strengthen it? By making it something deeper and improving the quality of it. We need to make it something deeper. The teachings of the Basij must take root in the minds of the Basiji youth and must improve in quality. Issues shouldn’t be looked at superficially. Books are needed, study is necessary, discussion is required, educational circles are essential, and research circles are necessary. These are things that must take place.
One aspect of strengthening the Basij regards ensuring that it serves as an operational, active arm for the country’s executive institutions, ready to act wherever needed, whether in the military sector, in scientific endeavors, in public service, in education, in clarification, in promoting religion, or in entrepreneurship. From what I was shown in the exhibition, the Basij is already pursuing many of these activities. God willing, it must continue with even greater intensity and strength. This has always been the case. Over the years, the Basij has consistently supported different administrations acting as an active arm for them. Of course, some administrations showed appreciation, while others took the help of the Basij without expressing any appreciation.
This is the case in the political sphere [as well]. This is an essential part of strengthening the Basij. The Basij should understand that the US favors a dual fate for countries in this region, either “despotism” or “chaos.” To use their terminology, they want either a dictatorship or anarchy. The US wants one of these two outcomes in the countries of this region. Its ideal scenario is for a country to either be ruled by a despotic power that it can manipulate, make deals with, and ensure its submission to its [the US’s] will, or if that isn’t possible, that country must be plunged into chaos making life difficult for its people. The Basij must oppose both of these scenarios, both the establishment of a dictatorship and the creation of chaos and unrest. If either of these two comes about in the country, the hand of the enemy is at work and the [Basij] must stand against it. Well, these were some of the issues regarding the Basij that I wanted to share. There is much more to say about the Basij, but this will suffice for now.
Now, let me say a few words about the region. I would like to mention two points about the ongoing issues in Lebanon, Palestine, Gaza, and so forth, which you are all aware of and are seeing and hearing about in the news and through updates. First, the bombardment of civilians’ homes isn’t a victory. Those mindless people [the Zionists] shouldn’t think that because they bomb people’s homes, hospitals, and public gatherings they’ve achieved victory. No! No one in the world considers that to be victory. These aren’t victories. The enemy hasn’t achieved victory in Gaza or in Lebanon, and it won’t achieve victory in Gaza and Lebanon. What they’ve done isn’t a victory. It’s a war crime. Well, they’ve issued an arrest warrant for him [Netanyahu], [but] that’s not enough. Death sentences should be issued for Netanyahu and these criminal leaders. This is the first point.
Second, the Zionist regime’s crimes, both in Lebanon and in Gaza and Palestine, are producing the opposite results of what they wanted. That is, they’re strengthening and increasing the Resistance. This is a universal, unchanging rule. The courageous, young Palestinians and the courageous, young Lebanese see that danger looms over them whether they are on the battlefield or not. Whether they are a doctor, a nurse, a patient, a laborer, or a businessperson, the threat of death, bombings, and enemy threats still exist. So they come to the conclusion that they have no other option, and they say, “I may as well fight.” You are forcing them to. These mindless people [the Zionists] are causing the expansion and increase of the Resistance Front with their own hands. This is a definite, inevitable consequence. Today I assert that however vast the Resistance Front is now, it will be several times bigger than this tomorrow.
O Lord! By the right of Muhammad and his Progeny, bestow the ultimate, desirable outcome sought by all Your righteous servants as soon as possible.
May God’s greetings, mercy, and blessings be upon you.
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