Imam Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, addressed the Iranian nation this Sunday evening several hours before Iftar [breaking of the fast] on the occasion of the anniversary of Imam Ali’s (peace be upon him) martyrdom, and also on the occasions of Workers’ Day and Teachers’ Day. The Supreme Leader spoke of the role of the Quds Force in the Islamic Republic and said, “Some statements have been heard from certain officials of the country these days that are a source of surprise and regret. We have also heard that the enemy’s media and those who are opposed to the Islamic Republic have broadcast those statements. When one hears such statements, one is truly saddened, because some of those statements were a reiteration of the enemy’s hostile remarks. They were a reiteration of the US’s remarks.”
The Leader of the Revolution added, “It has been many years now that the Americans have been extremely unhappy and dissatisfied at the influence of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the region. They were upset with the Quds Force and Martyr Soleimani for this reason. For this same reason, they martyred Soleimani. Anything that is considered to be a factor for the spiritual influence of the Islamic Republic in the region is bad for them.”
Imam Khamenei stressed, “The country’s political plans are comprised of economic, military, social, scientific and cultural plans. Social plans include diplomatic and foreign relations. It is the combination of these plans that form a country’s policy. Everyone should work and move forward together. If one section rejects another section and that other section rejects this section, this does not make sense at all. This is a grave mistake that should not be made by any of the officials of the Islamic Republic.”
Praising the role of the Quds Force, His Eminence said, “The Quds Force is truly the greatest factor in preventing a passive diplomacy in West Asia. The Quds Force has implemented the Islamic Republic’s independent policy, which is based on honor, in the region.”
He also added, “The West insists that the foreign policy of the country should be inclined toward them and under their flag, and also be obedient to them because it used to be like this for many years. Both during the late Qajar Era and during the long rule of the regimes of the Pahlavis, Iran was under the control of the West’s policy. The Islamic Revolution liberated Iran from western domination. During all these 40 years, the West – both the Americans and the Europeans – have been trying to restore their former domination over our country. That is why you see them becoming upset and angry when the Islamic Republic establishes political and economic ties with China, Russia and its other neighbors.”
Imam Khamenei went on to say, “They put pressure on our weak neighbors in order to prevent these ties. These are some examples that we have witnessed. I know of many instances when high-ranking officials from Arab and other neighboring countries wanted to travel to Iran, but the Americans prevented them from doing so.”
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution stated that the West is opposed to every diplomatic move on the part of Iran. But the Islamic Republic cannot act passively in the face of this demand. He added, “We should act in an independent, dignified, diligent, powerful way, and this is what the Quds Force has done in the region.”
His Eminence stressed that in no part of the world is foreign policy determined by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He emphasized, “Throughout the world, foreign policy is determined by governmental bodies at a higher level than the Foreign Ministry. In our country, this is done by the Supreme National Security Council. In these high-level bodies, the high-ranking officials of the country are present and they determine the country’s foreign policy. Of course, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs participates in decision-making in the area of foreign policy. But it is not such that decision-making is dependent on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. No, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs implements those decisions.”
