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 the Iranian New Year's Day on Wednesday, March 21.
In his address, which was made at the sacred shrine of His Holiness Imam Ali-ibn-Mousa ar-Reza (greetings be upon him), the Leader felicitated the audience on the advent of the New Year and referred to the New Year as an opportunity for the strengthening of national determination.
He added that the honorable and lively nation of Iran should have a proper knowledge of its internal condition and its international status as well as the challenges that it is facing and the way to counter them so as to be able to continue with its achievements.
Ayatollah Khamenei stated that the creation of a free, prosperous and dignified country enjoying scientific progress is the national demand of the Iranian people.
"Iran has acted in compliance with the international regulations in accessing nuclear energy. But if they act against the law and use the Security Council as a tool for depriving the Iranian people of their undeniable right, we can also act against the law and we will do so," Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out.
Further in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic stated that bringing honor to the Islamic Iran and becoming a model for other Muslim nations is the major goal pursued by the Iranian nation. He added that accomplishing this noble objective requires independence and national dignity, benefiting from public welfare and social justice and utilizing all national potentialities.
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to great talent, perseverance, religious and national zeal and devotion to one's homeland as among the remarkable potentialities that can be utilized by the Iranian people in accomplishing their great objectives.
"Although the Iranian nation was held backward for some 200 years because of the domination exercised by the arrogant powers and dependent rulers, the remarkable scientific and political achievements of the past three decades have clearly shown that the Iranian nation is capable of becoming a model for other nations," Ayatollah Khamenei noted.
The Leader stated that the young Iranian scientists' achievements in the fields of nuclear technology, stem cells, treatment of spinal impairments and similar areas have drawn praise and laudation from other nations. He added that in the political sphere also the stances taken by the Iranian officials on regional and international issues are noteworthy and remarkable.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei elaborated on the challenges that are facing the Iranian nation. He stated that the Iranian nation is facing both internal and external enemies.
"The internal enemy, i.e., the evil qualities such as sloth, lack of enthusiasm, hopelessness, pessimism and lack of self-confidence, is even more dangerous than the external enemy and the Iranian people should make every effort to counter these destructive maladies. As for the external enemy of the Iranian nation, it is represented by global Zionist network and the incumbent government in the United States," Ayatollah Khamenei observed.
The Leader also pointed out that psychological war, economic war and attempts at preventing the Iranian nation's scientific progress are among the major stratagems applied by the enemies against the Islamic Republic. He stressed that psychological war is the most significant tool used by the enemies and he called on the Iranian people and officials to be fully aware of the objectives pursued by the enemies.
Ayatollah Khamenei stated that daunting the Iranian officials, weakening the Iranian nation's determination and self-confidence, undermining the unity between people and officials and fomenting ethnic, religious and political conflicts are among the objectives that the enemies are pursuing through their psychological war.
"The United States, which is the epitome of supporting terrorism, violating human rights, fomenting conflicts and interfering in the internal affairs of other countries, today by accusing the Islamic Republic of doing so is trying to change the places of the accused and the claimant. But everybody knows that today nations are taking the United States to task, and the U.S. administration should be held accountable for its actions," Ayatollah Khamenei noted.
The Leader also pointed out that another objective that the enemies are trying to achieve through their psychological war is to make Iran's southern neighbors scared of the Islamic Republic.
"Such attempts have been made ever since the victory of the Islamic Revolution. However, some of our neighbors in the Persian Gulf region have seen through this plot, but others are likely to be entrapped by it," the Leader added.
Ayatollah Khamenei stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to conclude a joint defense pact with the countries in the Persian Gulf region. He noted that the Islamic Republic, as always, is extending a hand of friendship to its neighbors, believing that the security in this important region should be preserved through cooperation among countries in the Persian Gulf region.
Further in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic hinted at the enemies' threats to impose sanctions on Iran. He stated that the Iranian people have made scientific progress and accessed nuclear technology while they have been under sanctions, and that they are not afraid of any new sanctions.
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the fact that opposition to the Iranian nation's utilization of nuclear energy is an instance of the enemies' attempts at preventing Iran from making scientific progress. He noted that access to nuclear energy is even more significant than the nationalization of the oil industry.
The Leader described the utilization of nuclear energy as a necessity and criticized those echoing the words of the enemies to the effect that the Iranian nation does not need nuclear energy. He stressed that the Iranian officials are not allowed to disregard the Iranian nation's demand and betray future generations.
Ayatollah Khamenei further pointed out that all the nuclear activities of the Islamic Republic are under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
"All of our nuclear activities are carried out within a legal framework. But if they try to raise a commotion and act against the law and use the Security Council as a tool for depriving the Iranian people of their undeniable right, we can also act against the law and we will do so," he noted.
The Leader of the Islamic Republic also stated, "If they resort to threats and coercion and violence, undoubtedly the Iranian nation and officials of the Islamic Republic will use all their potentialities to deal a blow to the aggressor enemies."
In conclusion, Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the designation of the New Year as "the Year of National Unity and Islamic Solidarity" and called on the Iranian people to bolster up their unity and harmony.
Before the Leader's address, Ayatollah Vaez-Tabasi, the custodian of the sacred shrine of His Holiness Imam Ali-ibn-Mousa ar-Reza (greetings be upon him), welcomed the Leader to the holy city of Mashhad.