My dear ones, my intelligent and talented youth, today arrogance is fighting against us because our power has engulfed the region. Such is the power of the Islamic Republic. What is considered as elements of national power in our opinion is seen as disturbing elements in the eyes of our enemies and that is why they are fighting against those elements. They are opposed to the expansion of the Islamic Republic's power among and beyond regional nations. They are opposed to the country's defensive and military strength because this is an element of power and because this is the strategic depth of the country. Our enemies are opposed to every means of power and every element of national strength.
What is the way to confront this? You youth should think about this. The way to confront this is that we should rely on our elements of power despite and contrary to the wishes of the enemy. We have announced before and we would like to announce once more that the defensive resources and power of the country are not negotiable and they cannot be bargained over. Can they come and criticize us for having such and such defensive means, for having such and such forms and versions of them and for producing and researching into them in the first place? We will not bargain and negotiate with the enemy over those things which increase, provide and support national power. We are moving forward on the path of the country's power and this falls on you.
The enemy is opposed to the power of the Islamic Republic. The enemy is opposed to every element of power in the Islamic Republic. Despite the enemy's efforts, we should try to increase the elements of power inside the Islamic Republic. One of these elements is science which you are involved with. This is really an arena of fighting and it is a source of power for the country. Another element is defensive power: the issue of missiles and the fuss that they kick up about it. This defensive power should increase on a daily basis. Of course, despite the foolish desires of the enemy, it will increase on a daily basis.
The third element is economic power. You should attend to economic power. However, economic power is not achieved with dependence on this and that. Since long ago – not now – I have been saying frequently that I am alright with foreign investment in the country. I have no objections whatsoever, whether it be western or European investment. However, the economy of the country should not be reliant on a pillar which might tremble whenever the likes of Trump let out a yell. Our economy should be based on the inside. This means the need for the economy of resistance whose policies have been announced and should be pursued. So, this is another point: all factors and elements of power – including defensive power and the power to move forward in the region and the like - should be strengthened inside the country.
