Speaking to a large gathering of the people of Qom this morning, Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that the impressive nationwide demonstrations on December 30 were a memorable movement in the history of the Revolution. He reiterated: "The domineering powers and anti-religion movements that are currently shouting slogans against the government and the Revolution are the ones that fought Imam Khomeini (r.a.) and the Revolution for years. Having realized this reality, our people proved their determining role in safeguarding the government and the Revolution."
His Eminence added: "What position have America, England, and Zionist media adopted ever since the presidential elections? What was the position of anti-religion parties, monarchists, and other opponents of the Revolution and Imam Khomeini (r.a.)? They have assembled under the flag of opposing the Islamic Republic. Therefore, their positions have not changed at all, and this is an important sign and criterion."
Ayatollah Khamenei said that the vigilance of the people is the main reason why the heads of global arrogance are afraid of attacking the Iranian nation. "In spite of some media propaganda, the insight of our people and religious fervor of our youth are the main problems of the enemies of this land," he noted.
Ayatollah Khamenei added: "Despite their religious fervor, our youth exercise patience in the face of some issues, and this is the appropriate thing to do. But they are prepared to step into the arena whenever it is time to do so."
His Eminence said that in order to appropriately understand the post-election events, it is necessary to pay attention to the arrogant powers' wrong calculations about global and regional issues. He reiterated: "The awakening of the Iranian nation has ruined the calculations of the arrogant powers. And through causing uproar, the domineering powers are trying to prevent our nation from further awakening the Islamic Ummah."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that it is natural for Iranian youth and basijis to feel angry with those who desecrated Ashura. "This desecration has filled the hearts of all people with pain, but we should take care not to help the enemy cause fitna though our extremist actions."
He said that the enemy is making all-out efforts to plan a complex fitna and start a "dangerous game", further adding: "In this confusing situation, we must act cautiously. Of course we should act firmly when it time to do so in order to thwart the enemy's attempts at causing fitna."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that the Iranian people issued an ultimatum to everybody through their demonstrations on December 30. "The officials of the three government branches saw what the nation wants. Therefore, they should do their responsibilities against corrupt individuals and rioters in an appropriate manner."
His Eminence reiterated: "Through the post-election events, the enemy has been trying to stop the economic and scientific progress of Iran. It has been trying to put an end to the powerful presence of the Islamic Republic on international fronts. Government officials should efficiently carry out their responsibilities in economic, social, scientific, cultural, and political arenas. They should not let the enemy achieve its goals."
Ayatollah Khamenei ordered governmental organizations to act on the basis of the law in case of protests and added: "Those who do not have a legal responsibility should not interfere in such affairs."
Ayatollah Khamenei described the presence of the people as the greatest asset of the Islamic Republic. He dismissed the spiteful accusations of foreign media that the demonstrations on December 30 were staged by the government. "Through such propaganda, they unknowingly acknowledge the populist power of the Islamic Republic because no other government in the world is able to mobilize an impressive number of people and draw tens of millions of people to the streets in a matter of two days."