The existing stability is sustained by the people and of course, it is the people who benefit most from the stability of the political system of the country. A nation that enjoys security and political stability will have the opportunity to compete with other countries and become a pioneer in different arenas. Peace and security are among the most important demands of the people. It is the people who benefit most from peace and security.
In the Holy Quran, in Sura Fath - which describes victory of the Muslims as a great blessing for the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) and his people - Allah the Exalted says, "Allah sent down His tranquility to His Messenger and to the believers, and made them stick close to the command of self-restraint. And well were they entitled to it and worthy of it." [The Holy Quran, 48: 26] Allah the Exalted describes peace and tranquillity as a great blessing for the Islamic society. When a people do not enjoy peace and tranquillity, when people are suspicious of each other and aggressive towards one another, when the ruling system and the people are pitched against each other, such a country cannot make progress in science, in the economy, in the industry and in achieving national dignity. But when there are stability, peace and security in a country, the people of that country will find the opportunity to show their preparedness and utilize their capacities, just as our honorable people and youth have managed to prove themselves in different areas in spite of the enemies' threats, sanctions and wicked actions. Our honorable people and youth have managed to show their greatness, talent and preparedness in different areas. All of these things have been achieved thanks to stability.
On various occasions, our enemies have tried to undermine our political stability in different ways. At the beginning of the Revolution, by creating ethnic conflicts in the east and west and in the north and south, they tried to prevent our country from achieving tranquillity and recovering from the turbulence that existed after the Revolution, but they failed. Afterwards, they tried to undermine our security by provoking an insane neighbour to attack our country - Saddam was truly savage, insane and dangerous. They also supported different grouplets that were active inside the country, the same grouplets that eventually took refuge in the countries that were fighting us. You saw that what happened was exactly the opposite of what they wanted. The imposed war not only failed to undermine stability in the country, but it also strengthened our unity.
Notice that the people of this region - the northern part of Khorasan, which is currently called North Khorasan - joined hands to counter the enemy in spite of the fact that they were far away from the front lines. After all, North Khorasan, Shirvan and Bojnourd were far away from the southern and northeastern fronts. Ethnic issues - among Azeris, Persians, Kurds, Turkmens and other ethnic groups - faded into insignificance. The Shia-Sunni issue became insignificant. Everybody united and stood up against the enemy. They sent their youth to the battlefields. In some cases, there were four soldiers from the same family. The father could tell his sons, "One of you stay and take care of our family so I can go and fight."[but he did not]. Where else can we find an example of such competition for self-sacrifice?
The enemy wanted to create turbulence in the country. He wanted to deprive the Iranian nation of stability, peace and security. But Allah the Exalted countered the enemies' tricks: "And they (the unbelievers) planned, and Allah planned, and Allah is the best of planners." [The Holy Quran, 3: 54] Our nation made progress thanks to the Sacred Defense. Our nation became more prepared. This plot by the arrogant enemies and the ferocious wolves proved ineffective against the Iranian nation.
Later on, they tried to undermine this stability from within. I will discuss this briefly and I will not get into the details. The enemy's plot was the same both in the year 1999 and in the year 2009. In both cases, their goal was to undermine our political stability. They were trying to create turbulence in the country. They wanted to take this widespread tranquillity and this stability away from our people[...]
Of course, our people are truly vigilant and insightful. The people enjoy impeccable vigilance and insight. The people have always considered our national interests from the right perspective. This is what experience shows us. Over the past three decades, the people have carried out their responsibilities in the best possible way. The enemies wanted to push the people away from the arenas where they had to be present, but they failed. They wanted to foment discord among the people, pitch them against one another and make them neglect progress and our national interests, but they failed. The people showed insight. The insight of our people is truly exemplary and this is God's work. Hearts are controlled by God. Wills are controlled by God's Will. Our people are pious. They are aware of the existing realities. I am mainly addressing our government officials, our politicians and our managers. They should take care not to let the enemy undermine the existing stability and tranquillity. The enemy has tried to undermine this stability and tranquillity, but he has failed. Our government officials, politicians and managers should try to preserve this stability and tranquillity. They should not allow turbulence to be created in the country. Sometimes one single comment or action which is careless and out of place can create turbulence in the political atmosphere of the country. They should be very careful.
Imam Khamenei, Oct 15, 2012