Khamenei.ir

Leader Meets with Afghan President

Leader's Speech in Meeting with Army Commanders and Personnel

The myth of nuclear weapons

Now, the Americans - followed by the Europeans and some other sycophants - have created the myth of nuclear weapons in order to claim that the Islamic Republic is a source of threat. But the source of threat is America itself. Today, the greatest source of threat in the world is the regime of America.

Leader's Congratulatory Message to Wrestlers

Leader's Speech in Meeting with Panegyrists

Reason is telling us not to pursue nuclear weapons

Enrichment and the other achievements that have been made in the nuclear area are a very important accomplishment. It is not a minor achievement. And these are only our initial steps in this industry. This industry should be worked on so that it makes progress. Now a few criminal countries which have either used nuclear bombs against other nations or tested them - such as America and France - are telling us what to do. Ten, twelve years ago, France conducted three nuclear tests - in a row - in the ocean. These tests are destructive and they destroy the marine environment. They conducted three dangerous tests. And there was little criticism over this matter in the world and later on, they shut mouths and it was over. This is while we are not after nuclear tests. We are not after nuclear weapons. And this is not because they are telling us not to pursue these things. Rather, we do not want these things for the sake of ourselves and our religion and because reason is telling us not to do so. Both shar'i and aqli [related to logic and reason] fatwas dictate that we do not pursue them. Our aqli fatwa is that we do not need a nuclear weapon either in the present time or in the future. A nuclear weapon is a source of trouble for a country like ours - I do not want to expand on this matter. So, nuclear achievements are very important and pursuing this industry and industrializing the country is a very important task. This should receive attention.

The allegory of stinky oil

The last point on this matter is about my demands. I have a number of demands which I made to officials and I insist on them. One is that officials should know our current nuclear achievements are very valuable. They should know this. They should not look at them as things of little value. They are very valuable. The nuclear industry is a necessity for any country. If some so-called intellectuals pick up their pens and write, "What do we need the nuclear industry for?" this is deception. This looks likes the things which used to be said during the time of Qajar dynasty. When oil was just discovered and the English had come to take it, Qajar officials said, "What do we want this smelly and stinking substance for? Let them take it". The statements that these so-called intellectuals say are like this. The nuclear industry is a necessity for any country. It is necessary for supplying energy, for preparing drugs, for turning seawater into drinking water and for fulfilling many other needs in the area of agriculture and other areas. The nuclear industry is an advanced industry in the world. It is an important industry.

Leader Meets with Turkish President

Leader's Speech at the Holy Shrine of Imam Ridha (a.s.)

An American trick

They say, "We will sign an agreement first. Then, we look at their behavior and lift sanctions if they adhere to it". This is an American trick. We do not agree with this. As our officials and honorable President explicitly said, lifting sanctions should be done without any delay and during the reaching of an agreement. Lifting sanctions is one of the terms of the agreement, not a result of it

Iranians are not against negotiations but against the bullying

Unfortunately in the Norouz message that the American president delivered, there were dishonest statements. Despite the fact that they claim to be the friends of the people of Iran, we can clearly see that these statements are not honest. One of the statements that he made was that there are some people in Iran who do not want the nuclear issue to be resolved in a diplomatic way. This is what he said. He said that there are some people in Iran who do not want the nuclear issue to be resolved through diplomacy. This is a lie. There is no one in Iran who does not want the nuclear issue to be resolved through negotiations. What the people of Iran do not want is to accept America's imposition and bullying. This is what they do not want. What the people of Iran resist is accepting the other side's bullying. The other side says that we should negotiate with it and accept whatever it says. This is what it says. The people of Iran have stood up against this bullying. Neither our officials, nor our negotiating team, nor the people of Iran - who have stood behind them - will accept this.

U.S. in dire need of the nuclear negotiations with Iran

I would like to say a few things about nuclear issues. First, our enemies - who form the opposite front against the people of Iran and who are mostly American - are moving forward with acumen and by formulating clever policies. We are completely aware of this. They know what they are doing. They need the nuclear negotiations. America needs the nuclear negotiations. The differences that exist among the Americans - between senators and executive officials - does not mean that they do not need the negotiations. This is not the case. The opposite side to the U.S. administration does not like the benefits that exist in these negotiations to be registered in the name of its rival - the Democratic Party. They are after this. So, they need these negotiations and they consider it to be absolutely necessary although they claim that they do not need it.

U.S. knows Iran doesn't seek building nukes

There is another point. The Americans keep repeating that Iran should not be able to renege on the decisions that it makes and the terms that it agrees with. We do not agree with this either. If the other side wants to re-impose sanctions with any excuse, there is no reason that our negotiating team goes along with this and does something that they cannot cancel and revoke. We do not agree with this at all. Nuclear energy is a popular and domestic industry. It belongs to the people. Its science and technology belong to the people and they should move forward in it. Progress is the essence of any industry and technology.They bring up the issue of a nuclear bomb. They themselves know that we are not after building a nuclear weapon, but they have used it as an excuse to exert pressures on the people of Iran. During the nuclear negotiations, we have fulfilled all international commitments. We have been committed to political-Islamic ethics in these negotiations and we did not break our promises. We did not act in a hypocritical way. The Americans form the opposite camp against us. It is they who went back on their promises and acted in a hypocritical and deceitful way. Their behavior is a lesson for our people. It will be good for those intellectuals in the country who still do not know who the other side - America - is to take a look at these negotiations and see who they are dealing with. They should see what America is doing at a global level. The threats that they issue are of no use. They threaten to impose more sanctions or to make military moves against Iran. These are threats which do not intimidate the people of Iran. The people of Iran have stood firm and by Allah's favor, they will emerge victorious out of this great test.

Leader's Norouz Message 1394

Leader's Speech in Meeting with Members of Assembly of Experts

Islamic Revolution introduces an Islam which supports oppressed and opposes oppressors

We should make efforts... in the Islamic Republic to introduce original Islam, one that supports the oppressed and that opposes the oppressor the youth who live in Europe, America and distant countries become excited about this kind of Islam. They become excited and it becomes clear to them that Islam means a force, motive and thought which moves against oppressors and transgressors and in favor of the oppressed. It becomes clear to them that Islam has plans to pursue this and that it considers it its responsibility to do so. We should introduce the kind of Islam that supports reason and deep philosophies. We should introduce the Islam of thoughts and ideas and the kind of Islam that attaches great significance - through the Holy Quran - to reason, logic and thought. We should introduce the kind of Islam that supports rationality and that opposes partiality

Leader Meets with Environmental Protection Officials

Protecting the environment must become a part of public culture

Destruction of the environment should be criminalized and prosecuted as a crime. Amendment and revision of the existing laws and strengthening of demanding supervisions [are necessary steps to be taken]. Supervision should be carried out without any exception and heads of supervisory bodies personally see to this. Perhaps, one of the most important aspects is to build culture. People should know how important it is to protect the environment. We must start this from elementary schools. In textbooks, our children should understand the importance of pastures and forests, air and water, soil and seas and the likes of them, and should be sensitive about them. Protecting the environment should become part of the public culture. Of course, the role of the national television should not be overlooked. The national television must certainly play a role, but people can also do their part.

The U.S. acted in a bullying manner in the case of Kyoto Protocol

You saw how in the case of Kyoto Protocol, the Americans stood [against the protocol] as a bullying government. I said this in Friday Prayers [sermon] a few years ago and addressed the issue. That is, a sort of bullying approach to a treaty, which is not related to one country or two countries and one corner of the world. It is related to the entire globe. The problem of gas emanated by greenhouses is not an issue exclusively targeting a single country and or a single group of people. No, it targets the entire humanity. Nonetheless, the main problem with regard to environmental issues is that the consequences of destruction [of environment] are not observed in short term. [And] when they are observed, it takes a long time to make up for [environmental] damage and subsequent problems and in some cases it is impossible. [For example,] consider the melting of the polar ice, which can lead to elevated sea levels and many other environmental problems. This is not something to be remedied by humans. Such problems cannot be made better within 10 years and 20 years and [even] 100 years; they will have lasting effects for humanity. I mean, when there are human beings who do not feel responsible [with regard to environment], who have decided to convert public riches of the world into their own personal wealth, [and] take advantage of any opportunity to make themselves richer, this will be the result. Bullying [character] of human beings, brazen disrespect for red lines, and bullying instincts of human powers, powers with money and force, have created such effects and consequences in the world and across the globe.

Islam and divine religions have sought to preserve the equilibrium between humans and the nature

The issue of environment is a very important issue. In short, this issue is important because it is about mankind’s responsibility vis-à-vis the nature; they should feel that responsibility. Just in the same way that we feel responsibility with regard to human life, we must feel responsible with respect to the nature. Islam and other divine religions have sought to preserve the equilibrium between humans and nature. This is the basis and main goal [in caring for the nature]. Not preserving this equilibrium is the result of [a number of] factors, the most important of which is human complacency, quest for power, and the bullying nature of some of us, humans. When this does not happen – that is, the equilibrium is not preserved – then environmental crises take place; an environmental crisis will harm the whole of the mankind and all generations [of human beings].

Imam Khomeini’s Biography

Leader's Speech in Meeting with People of East Azerbaijan

Nuclear issue is just an excuse

I believe that even if we accept what they dictate to us on the nuclear issue, their destructive moves and sanctions will not be stopped and lifted. They will continue to create all sorts of problems for us because they are opposed to the essence of the Revolution.

Leader's Speech to Members of Commemoration Congresses for Artist, Students and Education Martyrs

The following is the full text of the speech delivered on February 16, 2015 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a meeting with the members of commemoration congresses for artists, students and education martyrs.

Leader's Speech in Meeting with Air Force Commanders and Personnel

A tool for enemies to make constant excuses

We have heard that they say, "Let us agree about general principles for the moment. Later on, we can come to an agreement about details". I do not like this. Our experience about the behavior of the other side gives us the feeling that this will become a tool for them to make constant excuses about details. If they want to make an agreement, they should agree about details and general points in one single session and then they should sign it. If they come to an agreement about general points and then they attend to details on the basis of these general points - which are vague, interpretable and analyzable things - this is not reasonable.

Respect and dignity of people to be unconditionally considered

I myself agree with that and I am sure that the people of Iran are not opposed to an agreement which preserves their dignity, respect and interests. However, these requirements should undoubtedly be considered. The respect and dignity of the people of Iran and the fundamental issue of the progress of the Iranian nation should be preserved and protected.

Leader's Speech at Nanotechnology Exhibition

Leader's Speech in Meeting with MPs of Religious Minorities

The following is the full text of the speech delivered on January 26, 2015 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a meeting with MPs of religious minorities in the Majlis.

Leader Meets with Secretary General of Popular Front for Liberation of Palestine