The Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei received thousands of university students from various cities throughout the country who were members of the Student Basij Organization on Monday, May 21.
In an address to the audience, the Leader referred to the Basiji spirit as the secret of resistance of the Iranian people and their optimism about the future. He stated that it has been this same Basiji spirit and mentality that has turned the Iranian nation and the Islamic Republic into the command headquarters of the nations' resistance against the U.S. domineering system in the political arena of the great confrontation between wills and policies.
Ayatollah Khamenei described the preparedness to meet the different requirements of the revolution at any time and in any situation as the main characteristic of Basiji students.
"Whoever in a student organization or in any other environment like the office, the market, factories, Islamic seminaries or any other environment has this kind of spirit is a Basiji, and I am also proud of being a Basiji," Ayatollah Khamenei observed.
Further in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic referred to the readiness of the Iranian nation for any required presence on various scenes of the country as the main cause of the achievements of the Iranian nation over the past 27 years.
"There is no dark spot on the horizon for our beloved country, and this real optimism stems from the Basiji spirit that the Iranian nation is possessed of," the Leader noted.
Ayatollah Khamenei also hinted at the unique status of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the scene of international politics.
"The political scene of modern world is the tough arena of the great confrontation between wills and policies, and the fact of the matter is that the Iranian nation and the Islamic Republic of Iran play a decisive role in this arena," Ayatollah Khamenei told the audience.
He added that the Islamic system has detonated a powerful bomb in the world of politics whose power is thousands of times more than the bomb that was detonated by the United States in Hiroshima.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader of the Islamic Republic touched on the world's division into the two camps of hegemonic powers and the countries that submit to domination.
"The United States is exercising its domination in the world of politics in such a way that even the Europeans are not able to express so much opposition. But the Iranian nation, with its measures and stances, has impugned all the established principles and certainties of this hegemonic power and, by doing so, has influenced other nations that are the onlookers of this great political confrontation," the Leader noted.
He added that the above reality is more bitter than any poison to the arrogant government of the United States.
Ayatollah Khamenei further stated, "The awakening of nations in Palestine and Lebanon and Latin America and other parts of the world is the result of the all-out resistance of the Iranian nation and the remarkable resolution and firmness of purpose of the late Imam Khomeini, and these should be highly valued."
The Leader pointed out that in the arena of confrontation between nations and the hegemonic U.S. government, the Islamic Republic of Iran has become the command headquarters in the camp of nations.
"Despite the existing inequality of capabilities and resources between the two sides involved in this confrontation, the Islamic Republic of Iran which benefits from a Hezbollahi spirit and strong determination as well as prudence and perseverance has tilted the balance of this political confrontation in favor of the camp of nations with respect to some issues and in many other arenas is completely on a par with this opponent," the Leader remarked.
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to faith, revolutionary fervor and religious motivation as the main factors contributing to the power of the Islamic Republic of Iran in its confrontation with the United States. He noted that the Iranian nation is ready to defend Islam and the revolution and the country wherever and at any time that it is needed to do so.
"This reality stems from the power of religion to create resolution and firmness of purpose in nations," Ayatollah Khamenei added.
Further in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic expounded on the role of Basiji students in consolidating the position of the Iranian nation as the command headquarters of nations in their confrontation with the global domineering system. He added that students, especially those characterized by Basiji spirit and motivation, are able to play a unique role with respect to this great confrontation.
As regards the Basiji students' role with respect to the country's current issues, Ayatollah Khamenei stated, "As was mentioned in the New Year's Message, the enemy is making every attempt to create obstacles in the way of our country's economic progress in order to portray as inefficient our incumbent government which adheres to Islamic values. Therefore, Basiji students should try to foil this plot by helping to increase the government's efficiency."
The Leader cited the attempts to keep Iran scientifically backward and undermine its national unity and Islamic solidarity as among other objectives pursed by the enemy. He added that the Student Basij Organization is able to play an active and effective role in thwarting the enemy in these objectives.
Ayatollah Khamenei further underlined the need for the students' complete vigilance and awareness.
"The students' awareness does not mean their mere aversion to the United States, but considering the intricate and mostly secret political and cultural plots of the enemy, it acquires a more profound meaning," Ayatollah Khamenei observed.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader of the Islamic Republic described the Student Basij Organization as a two-faceted organization.
"The special characteristic of the Student Basij Organization is that, on the one hand, it has close ties with student circles and, on the other hand, it is affiliated to the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, which is the symbol of valorous and revolutionary resistance," the Leader observed.
He further stated, "However, this affiliation and reliance does not mean that this student organization is of a military nature, or it does not limit the organization's activities, but it connects this organization to a treasure of experiential jihadi achievements and the resultant discipline, and this is beneficial to the Student Basij Organization."
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to scientific striving, constant attention to morality and spirituality and self-discipline, benefiting from a think tank, carefulness about admitting new members into the Student Basij Organization, preservation of organizational unity and incessant efforts and dynamism as among other requirements of the Student Basij Organization.
"By the favor of Allah the Basijis, especially the Student Basij Organization, will play a greater and more significant role in the future of the country as well," Ayatollah Khamenei told the audience.
At the beginning of the meeting, a number of Basiji students expressed their views on various academic issues and on some current issues of the country.
The director of the Student Basij Organization Dr. Mohammad-Reza Mardani also presented a report at the meeting about the condition of the organization. He said that some 649,000 students are presently engaged in scientific and cultural activities at 2,600 student Basij offices in 700 universities throughout the country.