The Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei attended a memorial ceremony marking the 17th departure anniversary of the great architect of the Islamic Revolution Imam Khomeini on Sunday, June 4.
Hundreds of thousands of faithful Iranian citizens from across the country also attended the commemorative ceremony, which was held at the Imam Khomeini's mausoleum. They renewed their allegiance to the Founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran and pledged to safeguard their religion, revolution and homeland.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Leader expounded the principled stances of the Islamic Republic of Iran on some important issues, including the nuclear issue. He also stressed that the united Iranian nation, building on the precious assets bequeathed by the magnanimous Imam Khomeini, will help their country attain a high status on the global scene.
"In this honorable process, the valorous and determined Iranian people would not allow anyone to pose the slightest threat to their national interests," the Leader told the audience.
Referring to the lapse of some 17 years since the sad departure of the Founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Khamenei further elaborated on the positive results of Imam Khomeini's movement and its vital effects on the fate of the Iranian nation and other Muslim nations.
"The Islamic Republic, namely the immaculate sapling that the late Imam Khomeini planted in this land, has now turned into a fruitful tree by divine favor, and the awakening of the Islamic world and the dignity, honor and progress of the Iranian nation are among the sweet fruits of this tree," Ayatollah Khamenei remarked.
The Leader of the Islamic Republic hinted at the fact that the views and ideas and the school of thought introduced by Imam Khomeini are still as alive as ever among the Iranian people and other Muslim nations. He added that Imam Khomeini, thanks to his unique features and unmatched personality, caused the Iranian nation to become one of the most influential nations in the world and the most significant nation in the region, so much so that the Iranian nation is now prepared to conquer all the peaks of progress and development.
"Besides, the Islamic world has now experienced an awakening and restored its native identity, and Muslim nations are currently trying to achieve independence from hegemonic powers. They are also seeking the enforcement of Islamic laws and precepts in their societies," the Leader noted.
Expounding Iran's stances on present issues, Ayatollah Khamenei touched on the baseless propaganda disseminated by the Western media and the propaganda apparatus controlled by the Zionists to the effect that there exists a global consensus against Iran, that the world is being threatened by the Islamic Republic, that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons, and that human rights are being violated in Iran.
"The claim that there is a global consensus against Iran is a sheer lie uttered by the United States and a few other countries. The fact is that 116 member states of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) have supported Iran's earnest efforts to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. Besides, the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and independent governments and even certain countries that are under U.S. pressure are also supporting Iran's efforts to this end, and the consensus among a few monopolist countries bears no significance," Ayatollah Khamenei told the audience.
He stressed that no government and nation would be willing to forego the utilization of new sources of energy and, instead, beg its energy needs from a few Western countries.
Further in his statements, the Leader described as 'friendly' Iran's relations with various countries. He stated that Iran poses no threat to other countries, including its neighboring states, and that it shares a common view with Arab countries on the most important Islamic-Arabic issue, namely the issue of Palestine.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran openly expresses what those countries have in their hearts. This is why all the Arab nations feel dignified by Iran's position on the issue of Palestine," the Leader noted.
As regards the false propaganda disseminated by the Western media to the effect that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons, Ayatollah Khamenei stated, "We have often announced in an explicit manner that we do not need nuclear weapons, since we are not trying like the United States to dominate the world, and we have no intention of imposing the undue costs of this objective on our nation. Besides, we consider the deployment of nuclear weapons to be contrary to Islamic tenets and principles."
The Leader of the Islamic Republic emphasized that what constitutes Iran's nuclear bomb is the Iranian nation and its youngsters, who are standing firm in the most difficult arenas with great power of faith and determination, and who will continue to do so in the future.
Addressing the incumbent U.S. administration and officials, Ayatollah Khamenei called on them to make a comparison between themselves and the Iranian government and officials, so that they may become aware of their standing in the present world.
"Today, the incumbent U.S. administration is regarded by the American public as among the most hated governments in the history of the United States, while the incumbent Iranian government is one of the most popular governments ever since the constitutional movement and in the past century," he added.
The Leader also referred to the hatred expressed by the people in various parts of the world and even in European and Latin American countries for the U.S. president and the distrust of the American public on the part of the U.S. administration, as indicated by eavesdropping on the American people's telephone conversations.
"The U.S. president had better compare this situation with the great enthusiasm and warm feelings that were expressed for our incumbent president during his recent visit to Indonesia and also the enthusiasm expressed for our former presidents on their visits to other countries, so that he may be able to rightly judge his own position," the Leader advised the U.S. president.
Ayatollah Khamenei further touched on the huge expenses in Iraq incurred by the U.S. administration in trying to bring to power a puppet government in that country and its failure in this regard and also the U.S. failure in the Palestinian elections and its abortive efforts to influence the Lebanese government and nation.
"Why doesn't Mr. Bush admit that he has made the United States and the American nation hated in the world through his behavior? Why doesn't he acknowledge that his actions have resulted in the growing weakness of his country," Ayatollah Khamenei asked.
The Leader also drew a comparison between the polite letter sent by the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the U.S. president and the impolite, mean and undiplomatic message full of foolish arrogance that was recently sent by U.S. officials to Iran.
"If the U.S. administration had been able to deal a blow to the Islamic Republic of Iran for the past 27 years, it would not have lost the slightest opportunity to do so. However, despite all the pressures and hostilities on the part of the United States, the Iranian nation has made considerable progress over the past decades," he pointed out.
The Leader stressed that the claims of supporting human rights and countering terrorism are not accepted from a government that is notorious for its Guantanamo and AbuGhuraib prisons and for the crimes that it has committed in Haditha and Kabul and hundreds of other places across the world.
As regards the U.S. claim that it is able to ensure the security of the energy flow in the region, Ayatollah Khamenei stated, "If the United States takes the slightest hostile action against Iran, surely the flow of energy in the region will be endangered, and the United States will not be able to ensure a steady flow of energy in this region."
The Leader pointed out that the Islamic Republic of Iran aims to realize the objective of building the country and providing welfare and prosperity for the Iranian people. He added that Iran has never been and will not be the initiator of any war with other countries.
"The Iranian people adhere to the ideals of Imam Khomeini and strongly protect their national interests, and our nation does not pose a threat to any other country. However, whoever threatens the national interests of the Iranian people will definitely feel the sharpness of fury of our nation," the Leader observed.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the deep trust in divine assistance as the major factor contributing to Imam Khomeini's success in his endeavor.
"Based on a Qur'anic fact, whoever assists Almighty Allah will be assisted by the Almighty on a much larger scale. Having a deep trust in this divine precept, Imam Khomeini made every effort to enforce the divine religion in this country, namely to help the Iranian nation attain material welfare and spiritual salvation. Consequently, he was miraculously assisted by Almighty Allah in establishing an Islamic system of government in this country," he noted.
The Leader hinted at certain sociological analyses concerning the rise and decline of revolutions to the effect that any revolution will face stagnation and decline following its initial rise and progress.
"The Islamic Revolution is an exception to this rule, since today, some 27 years after the revolution's victory, the Iranian people have brought to power a government whose major slogans are social justice and adherence to Islam and revolutionary ideals. This reality indicates that our revolution has still retained its motive force and is progressing on the path to the accomplishment of its ideals," the Leader told the audience.
Ayatollah Khamenei further touched on the futility of the negative propaganda campaign launched by the enemies against the Islamic Revolution. He stated that the Islamic Revolution cannot be defeated because the Iranian people are faithful to Islam in the real sense of the word, and that they consider it their duty to safeguard their religious values.
Further in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic referred to political independence, national self-confidence, cultural self-reliance, deep faith, national valor and not being deceived by the enemies as the precious assets bequeathed by Imam Khomeini to the Iranian nation. He added that the Iranian people will safeguard these precious assets with the utmost care and vigilance and, thus, will ensure their bright future.
Ayatollah Khamenei stated that abundant natural resources and valuable human resources constitute the foundations of Iran's progress and development. He also underlined the innovation, initiative and capability of Iranian scientists and scholars in various areas, including the field of nuclear technology.
"The previous governments prepared the groundwork for the country's progress and development to a considerable extent. Today, considering that the incumbent government is determined to serve the public in a serious manner, it is expected to make the most of the laid foundations as well as the existing harmony between the nation and officials and accelerate the country's progress, so that the Iranian nation may soon attain the high status that it deserves," Ayatollah Khamenei noted.
The Leader referred to the boosting of religious faith and also the efforts on the part of all government officials to administer social justice and raise the country's scientific power as the main factors contributing to the country's progress and development.
"The prerequisites for utilizing these factors are national unity and peace and security in the country. Thus, those who are undermining national unity on the pretext of supporting certain ethnic groups or acting against the country's security are indeed serving the enemies of this nation," the Leader told audience.
Ayatollah Khamenei called on relevant government organs to foil the plots of the enemies and vigilantly protect the rights of the Iranian nation, including their rights to security and progress.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader of the Islamic Republic stated that trust in Almighty Allah, faith in the people, belief in the revolutionary path and being confident of success are the foundations of national progress. He added that the enemies of the Iranian nation are willing to present rewards to those who weaken the people's faith and those who undermine scientific activities at Iranian universities and other scientific and research centers through their actions.
Ayatollah Khamenei further stressed that preserving the immaculate tree of the Islamic Republic is contingent on unity and a sense of responsibility on the part of the Iranian people from all social strata.
"The people from all walks of life, the officials of the Iranian government, political elites, scientific intellectuals, those at the Islamic seminaries, those at the universities as well as other social strata all constitute the Iranian nation under the Islamic Republic," Ayatollah Khamenei told the audience.
He also stated, "Whoever follows Imam Khomeini and adheres to his path and his last will and testament, whoever strives for the country's honor and scientific progress, and whoever defends the country's independence and acts in conformity with national interests is considered to be an 'insider'."
In conclusion, the Leader of the Islamic Republic called on the Iranian people to avoid negligence and take greater care to preserve their national unity. He stated that the Iranian nation deserves to attain an historic status, and that in order to achieve this noble objective, every effort should be made to fulfill the ideals of Imam Khomeini and those of the Islamic Revolution.