In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
I am grateful to Almighty Allah for bestowing honor and dignity on the Iranian nation in another glorious trial through His grace and guidance, as the Ninth Presidential Election brought glory and honor to the Islamic Iran.
The epical participation of the Iranian nation in the Ninth Presidential Election was a wonderful phenomenon. The massive presence of the people at the polls and the nearly 60-million voter turnout in the two stages of the election was the great jihad and struggle of our nation against the interfering arrogant powers, the powers that were wrongly assuming based on their evil calculations that the Iranian people had become indifferent, that the Islamic Republic had no public support and that the revolution and its late leader Imam Khomeini had fallen into oblivion and isolation. But the Iranian people proved them to be wrong.
The Ninth Presidential Election was the slap of the Iranian nation in the face of those enemies who consider the democracy emanating from the Islamic faith to be counter to the magic of their negative propaganda against Islam, and who cannot tolerate this glittering star on the top of the Islamic system.
The people of the Islamic Iran once again displayed their determination and firm resolve, liveliness and dynamism as well as their meaningful and auspicious presence to the arrogant powers and once again frustrated the 'Great Satan'. The Ninth Presidential Election was a manifestation of the Iranian nation's clinging to the divine rope.
The Islamic democracy emanating from the revolution and its late magnanimous leader Imam Khomeini has taught us the lesson that the people's presence on the scene of electing the country's top executives will increase our national strength, act as a strong bulwark against the expansionist goals of the aliens and help to prevent the deviation of government officials and executives from the right path.
The Iranian people have learned the lesson of democracy from Islam and are deeply loyal and committed to it. They have removed the obstacles to democracy through their struggle and perseverance and have attained it through the self-sacrifice of their dearest youngsters.
Now, thanks to the grace and favor of Almighty Allah and the prayer of His Holiness Imam of the Age - may my soul be sacrificed for his sake - a new round of executive management has commenced in our country, and the ground has been prepared for the more energetic efforts of new officials.
In the Ninth Presidential Election, the overwhelming majority of the Iranian nation voted for a revolutionary and scholarly personality, a competent and experienced manager who has a bright record of sincere services in various areas. His explicit, decisive and sincere promises to eliminate privation, counter corruption and make every effort to serve the public and his honorable adherence to Islam and revolutionary ideals combined with his simple and austere way of life attracted the hearts and the votes of the Iranian people and entrusted him with the momentous task of the presidency.
Congratulating the noble and honorable Iranian people, I confirm their votes and endorse Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
It is clear that the people's votes and my endorsement will remain valid as long as the new president keeps his commitment and adheres to the right path which he has so far trodden, namely the path of Islam and ideals of the Islamic system and defending the nation's rights and standing up to the arrogant and bullying powers. By the grace of Allah, this will be the case in the future too.
I advise the esteemed president to rely on Almighty Allah, make the most of fleeting time and utilize all his capabilities as well as the country's great human resources to accomplish the noble goals and objectives which he has set for his government through sincere and selfless efforts.
I pray to the Almighty to bestow guidance and assistance on our honorable president and on all other officials of the Islamic Republic.
Greetings be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings
Sayyid Ali Khamenei
Mordad 12, 1384