The Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei received the chief of the Judiciary Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi-Shahroudi and a number of other Judiciary officials on Wednesday, June 28.
The meeting was held on the 25th martyrdom anniversary of 72 high-ranking Iranian officials, including the former chief justice Ayatollah Sayyid Mohammad Beheshti. The meeting was also attended by the esteemed families of the martyrs.
In an address to the audience, the Leader stated that the main reason for the global hegemonic system's opposition to the Islamic Republic of Iran is the Iranian people's insistence on their independence and their resistance to the expansionist goals of arrogant powers.
Ayatollah Khamenei added that the martyrdom of Ayatollah Beheshti and a number of other high-ranking officials of the Islamic Republic in 1981 and also the different kinds of military, political and economic pressures exerted on Iran for the past 27 years have all been aimed at dealing a blow to the foundations of the Islamic system.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran is the only country in the world whose nation has stood up to the global hegemonic system and whose officials are resisting the bullying and intimidation of arrogant powers. Therefore, the hostility of domineering powers to the Islamic system is not just a simple conflict," Ayatollah Khamenei told the audience.
The Leader stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran relies on the support of its 70 million-strong population and the friendly feelings of other Muslim nations in the Islamic world.
"Many countries in the world have cordial ties with the Islamic Republic, and most of them overtly or covertly praise the independent stances and resistance of the Iranian nation," Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized. He added that the greatest hostility to the Islamic system comes from those countries with domineering and expansionist motives.
Further in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic touched on the momentous responsibilities of the Iranian nation and officials at the present juncture, describing those responsibilities as decisive and historic.
"It is likely that the present juncture in the life of the Iranian nation will not emerge in the life of other nations in hundreds of years. Besides, the wise and appropriate performance of the Iranian people and the officials of the Islamic Republic at this juncture will affect their future for hundreds of years to come," the Leader observed.
Ayatollah Khamenei described the present condition of the Islamic system as much better compared with its condition over the past 27 years. He stated that despite all the efforts that have already been made, there is still room for more efforts to eliminate flaws and weaknesses and add to strong points, adding that the Iranian people and officials have proved that they are capable of doing so.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader referred to martyred Ayatollah Sayyid Mohammad Beheshti as the major architect of the Islamic Republic's Judiciary.
"The Judiciary should be a reliable authority for all citizens to whom those whose rights have been violated may turn to seek justice. The most significant duty of the Judiciary is to deal with offences and violations of the law and administer justice in a firm manner," Ayatollah Khamenei told the audience.
The chief of the Judiciary Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi-Shahroudi, speaking at the meeting, paid tribute to and honored the memory of high-ranking government officials, including Ayatollah Beheshti, who were martyred on June 28, 1981. He also presented a report about the measures that have recently been taken in the judiciary.