Ayatollah Khamenei the Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Armed Forces attended the graduation ceremony of a group of cadets at Imam Hussein (a.s.) University on Monday. Speaking at the meeting, which was held on the occasion of the anniversary of the liberation of Khoramshahr on May 24, 1983, His Eminence described the great, valorous and enthusiastic participation of the Iranian nation in the upcoming election on the 24th of Khordad as an indication of greater achievements for the Revolution and the Islamic Republic.

The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution called on the people to pay careful attention to the statements and slogans of candidates in order to know which candidate is the most qualified. He also recommended that presidential candidates move forward according to the principles of the Islamic Republic and adopt wise outlooks. His Eminence stressed that they should avoid slandering, wasting the resources of the country and behaving in an inappropriate way in their election campaigns, further reiterating: "By Allah's favor, the future of our country and nation will be a bright and dignified future and it will be a model for everybody."

Ayatollah Khamenei added: "We do not know who will be the president and we do not know towards which person Allah the Exalted will lead the hearts of the people. But we know that the participation of the people through the ballot box - which represents the strong presence of the Iranian nation in the arena of movement towards ideals - will definitely prepare the ground for our dignity, immunity and international honor. Such participation will result in the happiness of friends and the unhappiness of the enemies."

The Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Armed Forces referred to the propaganda of the ill-wishers of the Iranian nation in order to discourage the people from participating in the elections, further stating: "The reason for this widespread propaganda is that if the people enter the arena and show their enthusiastic presence, this will prove costly for the hostile enemies."

Pointing to the statements of American politicians regarding the elections in Iran, he said: "They express their opinions about our elections. Which kind of people are saying this? Those people whose Guantanamo prison is a source of disgrace for them, whose drones are a stain on their reputation because they fly over the underprivileged villages in Pakistan and Afghanistan, those who wage wars in this sensitive region and whose occupation of two Muslim countries is the sources of disgrace and whose unconditional support for the criminal Zionist regime is a source of shame and embarrassment for them."

The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution stressed that it is not worth answering the criticism that they level at the Islamic Republic. He reiterated: "But their statements are a lesson for all the people because they show how sensitive the elections are for them."

Ayatollah Khamenei stated: "It is 34 years that the camp of the enemies has been causing uproar during the time of elections. This is while they have always remained unsuccessful. By Allah's favor, this time too, the Iranian nation will slap them across the face."

His Eminence called on the people to pay careful attention to the statements and positions of the candidates, saying: "The people should choose a candidate who can prepare the ground for the dignity of the country and its future and who can solve the problems, put up a strong resistance against the camp of the hostile enemies and make the Islamic Republic a role model in the eyes of the underprivileged people throughout the world."

The Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Armed Forces reiterated: "The difference in the way the people decide whom to vote for and their interest in different candidates should not make them confront one another."

He stated: "In order to choose the person who will hold the highest executive position in the country - which is a very sensitive and important position - there are certain rules and regulations and we will act according to that. Therefore, differences of opinion should not result in irritation and displeasure."

Addressing presidential candidates, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution said: "The honorable candidates should move things forward with valor, enthusiasm and commitment and they should avoid causing turmoil."

Ayatollah Khamenei added: "The delicacy of elections depends on an environment in which there is enthusiasm, dynamism and heated discussions. But there should not be any kind of mudslinging in it."

His Eminence advised the candidates to pay attention to the cost of their election campaigns, stressing: "The people will make a judgment about the way candidates launch their campaigns, about the way they meet their costs and about wasting resources. Those who use public funds or money which may be harram in their election campaigns will not be able to win the trust of the people."

He stated: "We should take care not to give an encouraging sign to the enemies outside the country or to some people inside the country. Well, the enemy is doing his job. He is engaging in mudslinging against a certain individual or individuals and - more than that- against the Revolution, the Islamic Republic and the elections. Of course, there are impious voices inside the country. Unfortunately, inside the country there are some impious tongues, pens and voices who repeat what the enemies say in order to discourage the people and make them depressed. The people should not pay any attention to these people."

Elsewhere in his statements, the Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Armed Forces described protecting the Revolution as one of the outstanding characteristics of the students at Imam Hussein (a.s.) University, further adding: "There is a major difference between this university and all the other universities. Acquiring knowledge, achieving intellectual growth and developing one's personality are the major goals of all of our universities and educational centers. But in this university, there is also the matter of protecting the Revolution."