The Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei addressed a large gathering of people comprising tens of thousands of local residents and visiting pilgrims in the holy city of Mashhad on Tuesday, March 21, the Iranian New Year's Day.
In his address, which was made at the holy shrine of Imam Ali-ibn-Mousa al-Reza (greetings be upon him), the Leader expounded on future prospects for the Iranian nation and government in the current year, which has been designated as the 'Year of the Holy Prophet of Islam' (peace be upon him and his infallible household).
Ayatollah Khamenei also elaborated on the stances of the Islamic Republic of Iran on various issues, including the issue of nuclear energy and technology, the issue of Security Council and certain other issues raised with regard to likely negotiations between Iran and the United States about Iraq.
He stated that the Iranian nation and officials of the Islamic Republic, relying on divine favor and assistance and counting on their solidarity and resolution, are determined to safeguard their national interests and protect their legitimate rights with honor and strength.
The Leader referred to the coincidence of the New Year's Day and the Arba'in, the 40th day after the martyrdom anniversary of the Master of Martyrs Imam Hussein-ibn-Ali (greetings be upon him), as a source of spirituality in the New Year.
He noted that the Arba'in is the manifestation of love for the Master of Martyrs who, despite the lapse of many centuries, is still attracting the hearts of the adherents of the Holy Prophet's progeny and all the freemen and broadminded people and those seeking truth in the world, leading them on the path to salvation, honor and dignity.
Touching on the designation of the New Year as the 'Year of the Holy Prophet of Islam', Ayatollah Khamenei stated that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his immaculate household) had the most exalted virtues of all divine prophets who guided human beings in the course of the history of mankind. He noted that the Holy Prophet of Islam was the most brilliant galaxy with numerous shining stars of noble virtues.
"Among the main characteristics of the Holy Prophet of Islam were knowledge combined with morality, government coupled with wisdom, worshipping Almighty Allah along with serving the people, jihad accompanied by mercy, honor and dignity coupled with humbleness, being up-to-date in addition to being far-sighted and honesty toward the people combined with political dexterity," Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out.
He further stated, "In addition to these features which open the bright paths of guidance and prosperity before the Iranian nation and government in the New Year, the Holy Prophet of Islam is also the pivot of unity of all Muslim nations in the Islamic world."
The Leader of the Islamic Republic stressed that the officials of the Islamic Republic and the Iranian people shoulder heavy responsibilities in the current year, which has been designated as the 'Year of the Holy Prophet of Islam'.
"The entire history and all the years belong to that unique and unmatched personality. However, the designation of the current year as the 'Year of the Holy Prophet' is meant to indicate that the Iranian nation and government are determined in the present year to take firm strides on the path to the society and civilization that was envisioned by the Holy Prophet of Islam," the Leader remarked.
Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that the new Iranian government has placed the issue of serving the people in a serious and tireless manner at the top of its agenda.
"The president and his Cabinet, adhering to revolutionary slogans and the ideals of late Imam Khomeini and pursuing revolutionary objectives, are making serious efforts to solve the people's problems, consolidate the country's infrastructures and preserve the Iranian nation's honor and independence on the international scene," he told the audience.
Referring to Iran's numerous potentials and resources in various areas, the Leader pointed out that from the Islamic Republic's viewpoint, progress and development should be based on and coupled with justice. He stated that the new government is determined to effectively promote the campaign to administer justice which has been underway ever since the victory of the Islamic Revolution.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader referred to creativity and production in its broad sense as the main requirements of the country at the present time. He stated that the secret of the Iranian nation's prosperity consists in the production of jobs and commodities, the production of knowledge and technology and the production of wealth and competent individuals, and he noted that endeavors in any of the above fields are considered to be the striving in the way of Allah.
Calling on the Iranian people to engage in a public campaign to accomplish progress combined with justice, Ayatollah Khamenei stated, "In the Year of the Holy Prophet of Islam, all the Iranians, wherever they are and whatever they are engaged in, should take one step forward because the logic and teachings of the Holy Prophet of Islam leave no room for stagnation, reactionaryism or despair, and the heart of a Muslim is full of hopes and aspirations."
Further in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic touched on the attempts made by the enemies of the Iranian nation to prevent the Islamic Republic's advancement. He also referred to the baseless allegations leveled by the United States against Iran and the real goals pursued by U.S. politicians in doing so.
"U.S. politicians make many accusations against the Islamic Republic of Iran with regard to human rights, democracy, nuclear energy and terrorism. But what they are actually pursuing by making such accusations is that the Iranian nation should once again submit to U.S. economic, political and cultural domination and pave the way for U.S. politicians to take control of all the affairs of our country by appointing senior Iranian officials, as they did during the time of the Pahlavi regime," the Leader told the gathering.
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to threats and intimidation, negative propaganda and psychological war, exerting pressure on the Iranian officials and attempts to dishearten the Iranian people, foment rifts and schisms among them and make them doubtful about their future as some of the strategies adopted by the United States in its confrontation with the Islamic Republic.
"However, all these strategies and attempts will prove abortive, owing to the awareness of the Iranian people and the vigilance of their government officials," he further noted.
As regards U.S. threats to impose sanctions on the Iranian nation, the Leader of the Islamic Republic stated, "The Iranian nation has been facing sanctions over the past years. Therefore, it is not afraid of any new sanctions. In fact, our nation has accomplished all its scientific, medical, military and industrial achievements in the circumstances in which it was under sanctions imposed by the United States. Thus, the Iranian people will not be daunted by the threats of new sanctions."
Ayatollah Khamenei hinted at the fact that the hated for U.S. administration is increasing on the part of world nations, including the Islamic Ummah. He also referred to U.S. politicians' claims to the effect that Iran is isolated in the world.
"In order to determine whether it is Iran or the United States that is isolated, we suggest that a poll be conducted in the Islamic world so that by assessing the popularity of the Iranian president and U.S. president more light may be shed on the reality. Now if U.S. politicians are not afraid of the humiliating results of this opinion poll, they can go ahead and conduct it," Ayatollah Khamenei suggested.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader described the U.S. allegation accusing Iran of violating human rights as one of the ridiculous jokes of the present era.
"The United States, notorious for its crimes in Hiroshima, Guantanamo and AbuGhuraib and for its censorship, bullying and hegemony, is now calling itself the standard-bearer of human rights! In this case also, we suggest that an international poll be carried out so that it may become clear to everybody that the world public rank the incumbent U.S. president along with Sharon, Saddam and Milosevic as the embodiments of wickedness and evil," the Leader noted.
Concerning certain issues raised with respect to likely negotiations between Iran and the United States over Iraq, Ayatollah Khamenei put emphasis on Iran's previous stances, stressing that the negotiations will not include any topics related to the dispute between the Islamic Republic and the U.S.
"We announce, as we have done in the past, that we are not going to negotiate with U.S. officials about any of the issues related to the dispute between Iran and the United States. The reason is that from the standpoint of U.S. politicians, negotiation has no real sense and is only used as an instrument for imposing their demands on the other party," Ayatollah Khamenei remarked.
The Leader also referred to the outrageous attitude of U.S. politicians toward the issues that have been raised over the past few days and the lies that have been uttered by them.
"U.S. officials both inside and outside Iraq frequently called on Iran to engage in negotiations with them, but their requests were ignored by our government officials. However, considering their repeated requests and the possibility that negotiations about the situation in Iraq may prove effective in preventing disastrous incidents in that country, the Iranian officials agreed to convey their viewpoints to the United States," the Leader stated.
Ayatollah Khamenei further touched on the involvement of American, British and Israeli intelligence services in fomenting insecurity in Iraq.
"Our clear position on the issue of Iraq is that U.S. government should leave the Iraqi nation alone and put an end to its provocation of various ethnic groups and fomenting insecurity in that country, so that peace and security may be restored to Iraq and the Iraqi people may administer their own affairs," Ayatollah Khamenei observed.
The Leader of the Islamic Republic pointed out that U.S. politicians are telling lies and wrongly claiming that the Islamic Republic of Iran intends to negotiate with the United States about various issues.
"If relevant officials of the Islamic Republic are able to convey Iran's views on the issue of Iraq to U.S. politicians, negotiations may be held in this regard. But if such negotiations are going to be used by cunning U.S. politicians as an instrument for making illogical remarks or unreasonable demands, negotiation with the United States on the situation in Iraq is not allowed, as on other issues," the Leader told the gathering.
Further in his statements, Ayatollah Khamenei hinted at the issue of nuclear energy.
"The gist of what the enemies say is that the Iranian nation should not have nuclear technology, since it will become strong, and they will no longer be able to bully and intimidate it," he noted.
Expounding on the Iranian nation's real need for nuclear energy, the Leader stated, "If today the Iranian nation does not possess and benefit from nuclear technology, it will lag behind for several decades and in a not too far future, it will have to beg for fuel from the aliens and enemies, who will humiliate and trample on the honor and dignity of our nation if they fulfill just a small part of its requirements."
Ayatollah Khamenei further noted that oil resources in the world are steadily being depleted, and that various countries, including the United States and European countries, are opting for new and clean sources of energy, especially nuclear energy.
"The entire world is using nuclear technology in order to make progress and enjoy a bright future. We are also emphasizing that the Iranian nation has a legitimate right to nuclear technology and the nuclear fuel cycle," Ayatollah Khamenei told the audience. He added that the Iranian nation and government officials will by no means accept the unreasonable demands of the United States.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader of the Islamic Republic touched on some threats to the effect that certain measures will be taken by the UN Security Council against the Iranian nation.
"The Iranian nation has already experienced such measures taken by the Security Council. In the course of the Iraqi imposed war also, while thousands of square kilometers of the Iranian territory were under Iraqi occupation, the Security Council issued a resolution calling on the Iranian nation to end its defense and resistance. But since the resolution was contrary to our country's interests, it was rejected by the Islamic Republic," the Leader noted.
He further stated, "In the future also, whenever the UN Security Council makes a decision that is contrary to our interests, it will not be accepted by us."
In conclusion, Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that the Iranian nation, especially the Iranian youth, and government officials are determined to resist all kinds of pressures. He stated that the firm will and resolve of the Iranian nation and government, the divine grace and favor and the auspices of His Holiness Imam of the Age - may Almighty Allah hasten his reappearance - promise a bright future for the country.
Before the Leader's address Hojjatoleslam Vaez-Tabasi, the custodian of the holy shrine of Imam Ali-ibn-Mousa al-Reza (greetings be upon him), welcomed the Leader and wished a prosperous year for the Iranian nation.