The Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei received a large number of the government officials and executives, including the heads of the three government branches and the chairman of the Expediency Council, on Tuesday, October 10.
In an address to the audience, the Leader described the holy month of Ramazan as the blessed spring of noble human values and spiritual elevation. He stated that unity and wholehearted perseverance toward lofty ideals constitute the key to success and prosperity.
Ayatollah Khamenei also told the government officials that a strong sense of commitment to one's responsibilities toward Almighty Allah and the general public would help to attract divine mercy and blessings.
The Leader of the Islamic Republic further praised the incumbent government for its serious efforts and positive measures. He stressed that criticism of the government's performance is something acceptable, but the insinuation that the incumbent government is inefficient is not true and is quite unfair.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei referred to valor combined with prudence as the main characteristic of the Islamic Revolution and of its late leader Imam Khomeini.
"Today also the decisions in the Islamic system are made based on prudence and insight coupled with valor and reliance on the power of the faithful Iranian nation, as it was done with respect to the nuclear issue," the Leader told the audience.
Elaborating on Iran's policy on the nuclear issue, Ayatollah Khamenei stated, "Our policy is quite clear: making progress, providing sound logic and insisting on the right of the Iranian nation without giving ground. Besides, the objective pursued by us with regard to the nuclear issue is also quite clear and peaceful."
Further in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic hinted at the significance of the upcoming elections for the Experts Assembly and the Islamic councils. He stated that both the elections are of great significance, and he called on the Iranian people and various political and social groups and factions to play their due part with respect to these elections.
Turning to the international front, Ayatollah Khamenei touched on the abortive U.S. policies on the region, especially U.S. policies on Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon, and referred to the attempts made by the United States to make up for its failures.
"The United States has been trying to make the regional countries scared of Iran by raising some false issues and isolate the Islamic Republic. But so far it has not been successful in doing so, and it will not succeed in the future either," Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out.
The Leader stressed that the Islamic Republic of Iran has become much more powerful compared with the early years after the victory of the Islamic Revolution, and that the signs of this power have become more evident over the past years.
"The power of the Islamic system is due to its adherence to Islamic principles and its reliance on the Iranian nation, and this power poses no threat whatsoever to other regional nations and governments, since the Islamic Republic of Iran advocates equity and justice and opposes inequity and aggression," the Leader observed.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, also speaking at the meeting, presented a report about the government's performance in various sectors over the past year. He said that the administration of social justice is one of the main priorities of the incumbent government.
The Iranian president also said that his government has launched a serious campaign against economic and financial corruption and against those benefiting from undeserved privileges.
"The campaign against economic corruption will increase the security of investment, and it will encourage investors, not the other way round," President Ahmadinejad pointed out.
At the end of the meeting, the participants at the gathering said their evening and night prayers, which were led by Ayatollah Khamenei. Then, the government officials and executives broke their fast in the presence of the Leader of the Islamic Republic.