Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution met this morning with the head and members of the Assembly of Experts. Speaking at the meeting, he referred to the post-election events in the country and reiterated: "The essential issue is the identity of the system and its criteria. And those who accept the framework and identity of the system - which are embodied by the Constitution and the authority of the law - are considered among the members of the system, but those who violate these principles through their words, actions, and provocations are disqualified from being a member of the Islamic Republic."
Ayatollah Khamenei said that maintaining the essence of the Islamic Republic and safeguarding its identity are the areas where the Iranian nation has been genuinely challenged by the global bullies throughout the past 31 years. He further added that the existence of the Islamic Republic and its role in the awakening of the world of Islam have endangered the interests of the arrogant powers of the world. "This has caused all the global oppressors and tyrants to seriously oppose the Islamic Republic. Therefore, everybody must try their utmost to safeguard the system and strengthen its foundations."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that the post-election turmoil was rooted in rejecting the votes of the people, questioning the presence of the people, and leveling allegations against the Islamic Republic. He reiterated that some people committed this great sin and refused to accept the authority of the law.
His Eminence touched on the positive outcomes of elections in the Islamic Republic and stated that the votes of the people are the result of their judgment. "Unlike most of the countries that claim to support democracy, in the Islamic Republic it is not centers of power and wealth that determine the votes of the people. The people act on the basis of their own judgment. Of course they may be wrong in their judgment in some cases, but one should defer to whatever decision the people make," he noted.
He said that when the people take part in the elections held by the Islamic Republic, healthy competition is encouraged, social dynamism is boosted, management is revolutionized, and the power of the Islamic Republic is increased. He added that the best way for a government to ensure its permanence is to transform and at the same time remain stable.
Ayatollah Khamenei said that electoral campaigns and the resulting events should be within the framework of the Islamic Republic. He added that those who campaign outside this framework are considered to have violated electoral regulations.
Ayatollah Khamenei said that setting clear boundaries with the enemies of the Islamic Republic is one of the necessities of taking part in electoral competitions and added that blurring these boundaries is a big mistake which will confuse the people. "Everyone should distance themselves from the enemies of the establishment and set clear boundaries with them," he noted.
He further stated: "If the boundaries are not clearly set, it is possible for some people to enter the scene and betray the country without being identified, and some people may unknowingly cross the boundaries. Therefore, failing to set boundaries is a big mistake."
Ayatollah Khamenei said that the position of the Islamic Republic has been greatly improved in many cases compared to the past. He added that the people organized great events such as the 22nd of Bahman and 9th of Dey rallies 31 years after the Revolution despite the fact that Imam Khomeini (r.a.) is no longer among us.
He also praised the sense of responsibility, unique insight, passion, determination, and preparedness of the nation, particularly the youth, and said that the presence of the people was more comprehensive and enthusiastic this year because they felt the danger and realized that there are some people who are trying to tarnish the image of the Islamic Republic under the pretext of the elections and the events which happened after the elections. "They also realized that some individuals who sometimes speak of Imam Khomeini (r.a.), the Revolution, and the Islamic Republic are moving against the goals of the Islamic Republic by provoking the people as well as through their words and actions."
He further stressed that the boundaries between those who belong to the Islamic Republic and the enemies of the Islamic Republic should be clearly set in issues of major importance. He added that differences of opinion in minor issues can lead to progress and stated: "Every word or measure should be measured against our main duty which is safeguarding and strengthening the Islamic Republic."
He further stated that the reason behind stressing vigilance among the elites is to prevent them from making the same mistakes which some elites made during the Constitutional Revolution. "At that time, the true nature of the plots which were hatched by those who supported the west was not identified and major deviation happened as a result. But this mistake should not be repeated."
Ayatollah Khamenei described the Islamic Republic as "the ship of salvation" and invited everyone to follow the framework set by the establishment. "Those who are not willing to accept the law and the vote of the majority and turn strong points such as the presence of 40 million people in the elections into weak points practically bring themselves out of this ship and are disqualified from being a member of the Islamic Republic."