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, our Prophet, the beloved of our hearts, the physician of our souls, Abul-Qasim al-Mustafa Muhammad, and upon his untainted, pure, chosen, guiding, well-guided, infallible, honored Progeny, particularly the Remnant of God on earth.
Before anything else, I would like to send greetings on the pure soul of the magnanimous Imam [Khomeini]. And during these days of worship, reflection, and remembrance, I ask Almighty God to elevate his status [in the Hereafter]. Tomorrow is the Day of Arafah, which is the springtime of supplication, humbleness, reflection, and invoking God. God willing, we should all make the best use of this opportunity. I especially urge the youth to take full advantage of the Day of Arafah — to pray; invoke God; talk to Almighty God about their wishes, needs, and goals; and to seek His help and guidance. I particularly recommend to the youth that in addition to reciting the deeply moving supplication of Imam Hussain on the Day of Arafah, which is filled with his love for God, they also recite Imam Sajjad’s supplication, which is the 47th supplication in Sahifah al-Sajjadiyyah. It is a lengthy supplication, of course, but recite as much of it as your energy and time permit. There's no need to recite the entire supplication if you don't have the time, spiritual state, or energy to do so.
The topic that I have prepared and would like to share with you today is about the late, venerable Imam Khomeini. After that, I will briefly touch upon a national issue that is beneficial for the people to know, God willing. I'd like to start the discussion from this point that our country's political system — which, praise God, is a system that has growth, stability, and authority — was brought about and emerged from a great revolution. The leader, founder, and architect of the Islamic system that arose from that revolution is a great man whose presence is still felt in the world today, more than 30 years after his passing away. One can clearly see his profound impact and the impact of his revolution in today's world.
The multipolar international order of the world is influenced by his revolution. The decline of major powers is influenced by his revolution. The sharp decline in the US’s global status & influence is an effect of his revolution. The widespread hatred of Zionism, which is clearly being seen in the world today, is influenced by his revolution. The outspokenness of many nations and especially their youth in rejecting Western values, which is being seen today, is influenced by his revolution. Today in the Western world, in Europe, even in America, and in countries dependent on them, one can see people moving toward an aversion to Western values. The revolution of our magnanimous Imam, the revolution of the Iranian nation, has undoubtedly been greatly effective in all the matters I’ve mentioned, leaving its impact. Such a revolution was brought about by Imam Khomeini with the help of the people.
They were caught by surprise. They never felt or imagined that a single cleric without any equipment and without substantial financial resources could bring an entire nation out into the field. In the West, no one believed or imagined such a thing was possible. The Islamic Revolution of Iran took the Western world by surprise! They never thought it was possible that this nation under the leadership and guidance of this religious scholar and with their bare hands could overcome the heavily armed regime ruling Iran — a regime supported by all the global powers, both Eastern and Western. They didn't think this regime would be overthrown. They didn’t imagine it was possible that this Revolution and this Imam could sweep away the Americans and Zionists — who had been comfortable in Iran for years and were dominating everything — and could expel them from the country without a trace of them left behind.
The next surprise came with the formation of the Islamic Republic. Had a conciliatory government come to power following the Revolution — and there were some indications in the early stages that a government willing to compromise with the West may come to power — if such a thing had happened, the Westerners would have become hopeful that they could re-establish their influence in Iran and ensure their illegitimate interests in the country. However, Imam [Khomeini] clearly and unequivocally declared his position on establishing an Islamic system in the country.
In other words, Imam declared both in word and in action that the system emerging from this Revolution would be an Islamic system, a religious system. It was from this point that the conspiracies began. After the Westerners realized the direction the Revolution was taking and where the Iranian nation was headed, the enemies' plots and destructive schemes for our beloved country and nation began.
I don’t know of any revolutionary system in the world throughout the history of revolutions over the past two or three centuries that has been subjected to this extent of conspiracies, hostilities, and enemies’ plots. You see, from the very beginning of the Revolution, [there have been such efforts] — from inciting ethnic tensions and provoking ethnic groups to arming leftist factions, which already existed to some extent in Iran. They armed them, planted them in universities and other places, and prepared them to work against the system. They provoked and supported a bloodthirsty wolf like Saddam Hussein who was incited, coerced, and encouraged to attack our borders. [They also conducted] targeted assassinations, such as the assassination of Martyr Motahari, the assassination of Martyr Beheshti, the assassination of Martyr Mofatteh, the assassination of Martyr Rajai, and the assassination of the Martyrs of the Mihrab. These assassinations continued relentlessly, reaching nuclear scientists and many active Revolutionary youth.
You see, all of these are some of the schemes that have been carried out against the system that arose from the Revolution in Iran. Then came the comprehensive sanctions, which were followed by direct attacks like the US attack on Tabas [in 1980] and that well-known, miraculous event [that happened there], or the attack and downing of the [Iranian] passenger plane [in 1988], and other such acts. These kinds of actions against the system that arose from the Islamic Revolution began right from the start. Of course, such actions have continued to this day. In terms of their variety, intensity, and the malicious nature of these plots and schemes, I believe no other known revolution in the world has faced anything comparable.
Who was behind these schemes? Sometimes it's terrorist groups that do something, but that wasn’t the case in Iran. These conspiracies, schemes, and malicious acts were carried out by the Arrogant Powers — primarily the United States and Zionism — as well as by well-known global spy agencies, such as the US’s CIA, Britain’s MI6, and the Zionist regime’s Mossad.
The Islamic system, the Islamic Republic, has endured all these plots, schemes, and hostilities, and it has been able to thwart them. If we were to count them, perhaps more than a thousand conspiracies have been foiled by the Islamic Republic, and it has even answered some of them. What matters is that [even though] these conspiracies were carried out to weaken the Islamic Republic, not only has the Islamic Republic not become weaker, its strength and capabilities have grown day by day. Its various capabilities have increased not just within the country but also beyond its borders. Right here and now, I would like to tell the Iranian nation and all those who care about Iran that from here onwards, with God’s help, we will continue to further strengthen our comprehensive national power as much as we can.
Let me make an important point here before beginning the main topic that I wish to speak about. That point is this that social uprisings throughout the world usually take shape with the help of emotions. Emotions help shape social uprisings and drive them to success. Even if there is an ideology and rationality behind those emotions, they often get lost or fade amidst the opinions and interpretations arising from those emotions. Very often, emotions overshadow the rational objectives of uprisings.
What is the outcome of this? The outcome is that when emotions subside, the course of action for which the revolution was created changes. This is because the rationality that was behind the uprising has either been lost or has diminished. Therefore, the course changes. There are many examples of this in history. For instance, the French Revolution in the 18th century emerged to oppose the monarchy of the Bourbon dynasty. After the revolution succeeded — and they even killed the king and his wife — varied emotions took such strong hold of society that people forgot why they had risen up, fought, and come out in the first place.
Some 15 years later, Napoleon’s monarchy was established in France. And after his departure, the very same dynasty that the revolution had overthrown returned to power. France, which had fought a revolution against monarchy, continued living under monarchial rule for almost another 70 or 80 years. In other words, the rational basis behind that uprising and revolution was completely lost and destroyed. This is something we see in almost all or most of the revolutions around the world.
The main thing I want to say is that Imam [Khomeini] safeguarded the Islamic Revolution against such a destructive blight and gave it immunity. With divine insight and a rationality rooted in faith in God and belief in the unseen, the magnanimous Imam [Khomeini] took measures to prevent such an affliction from affecting the Islamic Revolution. In other words, he ensured that emotions — and there were strong emotions in our revolution as well — weren’t able to divert the revolution and the people’s movement from its original, correct, primary path or lead people away from that true course.
[So,] what did Imam do? The manifestation of Imam Khomeini’s rationality — the very rationality that enabled him to accomplish this — had two fundamental pillars. One pillar was “Wilayat-e Faqih” [Guardianship of the Jurist], and the other was “national independence.” The idea that existed in the noble mind of the Imam and was repeatedly emphasized in his words is best represented in my view by the term “national independence.” When I think about it, I see that no expression is more fitting than “national independence.”
Much has been said about Wilayat-e Faqih, so I don’t want to enter that discussion. Wilayat-e Faqih preserved the religious dimension of this Revolution. Had it not been for Wilayat-e Faqih, this Revolution, which was born out of a religious motivation and sacrifices stemming from faith in God, would have deviated from the path of religion. So the first pillar was Wilayat-e Faqih. This was a result of the noble Imam’s rationality — a rationality that was behind this popular movement, propelled it forward, and guided it. I won’t speak about Wilayat-e Faqih more than this.
The second pillar is national independence. Many of the key themes repeatedly emphasized in Imam Khomeini’s statements fall under the title of national independence. Of course, “independence” does not mean severing ties with one’s surrounding environment or isolating oneself from the rest of the world. Some may try to distort the meaning of this and say that we have isolated ourselves. No, independence doesn’t mean refusing to have relations with other countries.
The meaning of independence is that Iran, the Iranian nation, should stand on its own feet without relying on others. [It means] Iran needs to make its own judgments, make its own decisions, and take action itself. This is the meaning of “national independence.”
Independence means that Iran shouldn’t wait for a green light from the US or others like it, nor should it worry about a red light from the US or others like it. The Iranian nation themselves should judge and decide matters for themselves and take action wherever necessary. Whether others — global powers, the US, or others — agree or disagree is irrelevant. That is what “independence” means.
As I mentioned, many of the recurring themes in the Imam’s words fall under this title of “national independence.” I will speak about a few of these themes.
One key theme is the principle of “We can.” Imam [Khomeini] taught us to say and believe that we can. Under the previous regime, people were told and made to believe that we can't, that we are incapable, and that others must do things for us. But Imam [Khomeini] entered the exact opposite of this, a 180-degree turn about, into the national identity of the Iranian nation: “We can.” He revived self-confidence in the nation and in the youth. Let me also add here that this “We can” is so important that plots are devised to negate it.
Right now with respect to the recent nuclear issue and the negotiations currently taking place with the mediation of Oman, the proposal put forward by the US is entirely against “We can.” The Imam revived self-confidence in our youth and in our politicians. He said we can, and we put this to the test and saw that yes, we can. Our advancements in science, our advancements in technology, our defensive capabilities, and the major accomplishments that different administrations have achieved over the years in helping the country to develop — we never believed these were possible. We were told that these things couldn’t be done, but we tried and saw that the Iranian nation can, and we can. This is one of the key themes and core principles involved in “national independence,” which was repeatedly stated by Imam [Khomeini].
The next principle is “resistance.” Resistance means not bowing to the will of major powers. [It means] if a person believes in something, sees something as being necessary, or considers something to be forbidden, they should act according to their own beliefs without bowing down to the enemy’s will, the enemy’s impositions, or the enemy’s coercion. This is what resistance means. Resistance is one of the components of national independence too.
Another principle is the "advancement of the country’s defensive power." Advancement of the country’s defensive power. At the beginning of the Revolution, we lacked defensive capabilities. Our production in the area of defense was so minimal that it was practically zero. Whatever little amount we did produce was negligible. Imam [Khomeini] taught us that we must increase our defensive power. I went to Imam and informed him that our young people were working on producing an anti-tank missile with such-and-such capabilities and that they had set a specific timeline for its completion too. I told the Imam that they would do it by a certain time.
The Imam was so overjoyed in such a way that I had rarely seen such happiness on his face! He encouraged us to increase our defensive power. And what has been the result of this? The result is that today, those who evaluate global defense capabilities judge that Iran ranks first in this region in certain categories. And they are surprised that despite sanctions, Iran can launch satellites into space and similar feats, for example. This is the outcome of our capabilities in defensive power, which is also one of the key themes that was in Imam Khomeini’s words of guidance.
Another principle is “clarification.” Imam [Khomeini] firmly believed in clarification. Clarification means presenting matters that the people need to know in a proper, understandable manner. From the very beginning of the [revolutionary] movement in1962, the Imam himself would speak to the people and explain matters to them. He continued this until the final year of his life. And that final year saw some of his best writings. These writings were addressed to the people, the religious seminaries, scholars, students, academics, and others.
It’s worth noting that when Imam clarified issues, it wasn’t merely a matter of exciting emotions. His explanations guided emotions, and they also provided reasoning and convinced the intellect. He convinced people’s thinking. He spoke to both hearts and minds. He was able to clarify matters in this manner. This clarification is also a part of the overall concept of "national independence" for our country, which was the main pillar of Imam’s activities.
Another principle is the principle of "steadfastness." Steadfastness is different from the resistance that I previously spoke of. Steadfastness means pursuing a path, not abandoning the Straight Path, following matters up, and persevering. This is the meaning of steadfastness.
"National independence" is a collection of these principles and others. Imam [Khomeini] entered these principles into the Iranian nation's identity, familiarizing the people, their hearts, minds, and the youth with them. Today, our youth are familiar with the concept of “self-belief,” the notion of "We can," the concept of “resistance,” and the idea of continuing on the [Straight] Path. Their minds and hearts are familiar with these concepts. The revered Imam did this, and that's why the Revolution's identity has been preserved. This is the rationality by way of which the Imam was able to keep the Islamic Revolution and the system that emerged from it on the same course for which it was created and in accord with its original outline.
Today, we sometimes hear the word "rationality" used in some discourses. They invoke “rationality,” but what they mean by it is for us to bow down to the US. This is how they describe "rationality!" What they want is for us to surrender to an aggressive power. This is what they consider "rationality" to be! This isn’t rationality. Rationality is the rationality of Imam [Khomeini]. It’s the very thing that was able to lead this nation forward, to make it strong, to make it powerful, to make it respected, to make it dignified in the world, and to build a bright future for it. God willing, with the rationality that the Imam established, the country can progress, can achieve a sustainable security, can improve public welfare, and it can further elevate its standing in international fields. These were the matters concerning Imam.
Now, let me clarify a national matter, which is the nuclear issue. Regarding the nuclear issue, I would like to say a few words to inform the Iranian nation. My dears [, brothers and sisters]! Thanks to the intelligence of our youth, the dedication of our scientists, and their tireless efforts, Iran has succeeded in achieving a complete nuclear fuel cycle. This means that today, we are capable of producing nuclear fuel starting from the mine and all the way to the power plant itself, and we have done this. This has been accomplished by our youth and our scientists. The number of countries in the world that possess this capability is perhaps fewer than the number of fingers on a person’s two hands. The Iranian nation has achieved this.
Let me first clarify a point. Nuclear technology isn’t solely for energy [production]. Some assume that nuclear technology is only for generating clean electricity. Indeed, it does serve that purpose and is a clean, affordable energy source. This comes from the nuclear industry. But it isn’t limited to that. That is merely one of the benefits of the nuclear industry.
The nuclear industry is a basic industry. It’s a basic industry. Experts, scientists, and professionals in this field have explained this to us, and I hope they will offer further clarification for the public as well about how numerous scientific fields are affected by the nuclear industry. Various fields of science, including high-precision and sensitive technologies such as in the areas of medical equipment, aerospace, precision sensors, and electronics, are related to and influenced by the nuclear industry. This includes fundamental sciences and engineering fields, such as nuclear physics, energy engineering, and materials engineering. And it is used in medicine and pharmaceuticals, both in diagnosis and treatment.
These are all influenced by the nuclear industry. The nuclear industry plays a leading role in the treatment of certain serious illnesses, both for diagnostics and therapy. [It also has applications] in industries related to agriculture and the environment. There are numerous examples of this kind that are dependent on or influenced by the nuclear industry. The nuclear industry is a basic industry. It’s a main industry.
Now, in the nuclear industry, there is one point that is a key element, and that is uranium enrichment. Our enemies have focused all their attention on this very process of uranium enrichment. They have concentrated their efforts on this. The nuclear industry of such immensity is useless without having the capability for enrichment, because we would then be dependent on others in order to obtain fuel for our power plants.
It’s like having crude oil in your country but not having the right to build a refinery or produce gasoline. You have crude oil, but you must buy gasoline from someone else. And that country, will sell it to you — if it wants to — at any price it chooses. And if it doesn’t want [to sell it to you], it won’t. It will come up with an excuse and refuse to sell it. [It will say,] "Do this or that, otherwise I won’t give you any gasoline." This is their goal.
If we have 100 nuclear power plants but no uranium enrichment capability, it will be of no use to us, because a nuclear power plant needs fuel. If we can’t produce that fuel domestically, we will be dependent on the US. And they may impose tens of conditions for giving us nuclear fuel.
We have already tried this. Regarding 20% enriched fuel in the 2000s, the US President personally asked two presidents of countries who are friends with us to act as intermediaries. He told them to ask Iran to give a portion of its 3.5% enriched uranium, and the US would then provide the 20% enriched uranium that Iran needed.
We needed 20% [enriched uranium]. Our officials accepted their proposal, and it was agreed that the exchange would take place. I said the deal must proceed in this way that they bring the 20% [enriched uranium] to Bandar Abbas, and we would then test it to ensure its authenticity. Only then would we give 3.5% [enriched uranium] to them.
When they saw we were careful and insistent about receiving 20% [enriched uranium], they broke their promise and didn’t deliver it.
Of course, during that time when our officials were engaged in those political talks, our own scientists inside the country were able to produce the 20% [enriched uranium] themselves.
The US’s main demand is that they don’t want you [Iran] to even have a nuclear industry. Iran not have a nuclear industry. They want you to be reliant on them for radiopharmaceuticals, energy, desalination equipment, and in tens of other critical fields. They don’t want you to even have a nuclear industry. Thousands of scientists and researchers have been trained in Iran. Today, we have thousands of young scientists [trained] in nuclear and nuclear-related fields in our country. These individuals have been trained in just the past few years. Should we disappoint them, make them unemployed, and take away their hope in the future of our country? This is what the US wants. This is what they’re saying. This is what they’re demanding from us. The rude, insolent US leaders keep repeating this demand in different ways. They’re opposed to our progress. They’re opposed to Iran's progress. They’re opposed to self-sufficiency for the Iranian nation.
I’m saying this so that our beloved nation can be informed about what’s happening on this issue to some extent, but of course further explanation is certainly needed [from the authorities].
Our response to the absurd remarks of the loudmouthed, imprudent US administration is obvious. Our answer is obvious. One day a few years ago, one of the US presidents said he would dismantle and eliminate the nuts and bolts of Iran's nuclear industry if he could. Of course, he admitted that he couldn’t. Since that day, the nuts and bolts of our nuclear industry have even become much stronger. Of course, he confessed that he couldn’t dismantle them. He said, "I can’t, but I would if I could." Those in power today — the Zionists and the Americans — should know that they can’t do a damn thing in this area.
Of course, before these matters and before anything else, the first thing we would like to say to the side of the US and others regarding the nuclear issue is, “What business is that of yours?” Why are you interfering and trying to say whether Iran should have uranium enrichment or not? That’s none of your business. You have nuclear capabilities. You have nuclear bombs. You have the ability to cause massive destruction in the world. What business is that of yours whether the Iranian nation should or shouldn’t have uranium enrichment or whether it should or shouldn’t have a nuclear industry? This is a nation with its own sovereignty. This has nothing to do with you. You have no authority in this. From what legal standpoint do you make such remarks? This is what we had to say about this matter. This was regarding the nuclear issue.
The final thing I would like to talk about is regarding the Zionist regime’s appalling crimes in Gaza. It’s truly appalling. It’s hard for a human being to believe that they could devise such criminal schemes. Look at it! They would drop a bomb and one or two homes would be destroyed. For example, 10 or 15 people would be martyred. They said it wasn’t enough. So what are they doing now? They set up a center and called it a food distribution center, because there is no food entering Gaza. People rushed there to receive food, and they opened fire with machine guns, killing ten times more than they did with bombs.
Killing people was becoming costly for them, so they found a cheaper way. Instead of using bombs, they now use bullets. This is appalling. This crime truly makes one wonder how vile, wicked, ruthless, and evil a person can be to commit such an atrocity. Of course, the US is also complicit in this crime. The hands of the US are also stained with these crimes. This is exactly why we say, repeat, and insist that the US must leave this region.
I would also like to say a few words to Muslim governments. Muslim governments have heavy responsibilities today. I want to tell them clearly that this isn’t a time for pleasantries, being considerate, or being neutral. Today isn’t the time to remain silent. If any government among the Muslim governments backs the Zionist regime in any form and under any pretext — whether it’s in normalizing relations, blocking aid to Palestine, or justifying the Zionists’ crimes — let them know with certainty that an eternal mark of disgrace will stain their reputation.
Of course, there’s the reckoning in the Hereafter as well. A Day of Judgment exists and divine punishment exists too, and they’re very hard and severe. They won’t be able to answer before God. But there isn’t just a punishment in the Hereafter. In this world too, nations won’t forget their treachery. Governments should know that relying on the Zionist regime won’t bring security for any government. They cannot bring security for themselves by relying on the Zionist regime, because the Zionist regime is collapsing based on a definite divine decree. And God willing, it won’t last much longer.
O Lord! Increase Your favors for the Iranian nation day by day. Overpower and subdue the enemies of the Iranian nation. O Lord! Bring to realization the lofty goals and aspirations of the magnanimous Imam for the Iranian nation. Make the sacred heart of the Imam of the Time (may our souls be sacrificed for him) pleased and satisfied with us, the Iranian nation, and all those who serve [the nation]. Place the pure soul of the magnanimous Imam in the highest levels of Paradise and in the place of Your divine pleasure.
May God’s greetings, mercy, and blessings be upon you.
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