Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution met this morning with the head and members of the Assembly of Experts. Speaking during the meeting, Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the recent events in Egypt, Tunisia, Libya and Yemen and added that the future of these countries is uncertain. He stressed that there are different possibilities which should be taken into consideration.
His Eminence said that one possibility is that religious figures may take control of the regional developments. He also warned: "The return of the elements affiliated with overthrown dictatorial governments in a new guise and re-establishment of governments which are dependent on the west under the cover of democracy and freedom, are other possible paths."
Ayatollah Khamenei described the conditions of the region as complicated and stressed that proposing the idea of religious democracy can help the regional nations in current conditions. He added that religious democracy can prevent the enemies from taking advantage of the existing vacuums by specifying the future of the regional nations.
Ayatollah Khamenei said that it is necessary to preserve the identity of the Islamic Republic and to make progress at the same time. He reiterated that safeguarding the principles of the Islamic Republic and making progress are two consistent goals and added that it is wrong to back down when it comes to practicing the principles.
His Eminence said that it is necessary to preserve the identity of the Islamic Republic while pursing scientific, cultural, economic and social goals. He reiterated: "The advances which our country has made thanks to preserving the principles are not comparable to the situation of Iran before the Revolution and this reality shows that it is possible to achieve progress in society while preserving the identity and principles of the Islamic Republic. Moreover, God will assist our nation only if we remain loyal to the principles of Islam."
Elsewhere in his statements, Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the issue of absolute Vilayat-e Faqih and added: "Absolute Vilayat-e Faqih means flexibility of the system of Vilayat, which means that all organizations that are in charge of decision-making and are led by the Leader transform themselves on a regular basis by constantly choosing what is better and more appropriate."
His Eminence said that the enemies' understanding of the concept of Vilayat-e Faqih is internally inconsistent and added: "They say that absolute Vilayat-e Faqih means that the country should move forward on the basis of the whims of a just Faqih. This is while a just Faqih cannot act on the basis of his whims."
Ayatollah Khamenei noted that "absolute" means having the flexibility to correct the path when necessary. "The dangerous interpretation that should be avoided is to confuse flexibility with deviation and backing down in the face of foreign pressure."
Ayatollah Khamenei stressed: "We must not back down when it comes to the principles and move forward within western frameworks because of the political and propaganda pressure exerted by the sworn enemies of Islam and Iran because this would be a change of heart and deviation, not flexibility."