In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
و الحمدلله ربّ العالمين و الصّلاة و السّلام علي سيّدنا و نبيّنا ابي‌القاسم المصطفي محمّد
و علي آله الاطيبين الاطهرين المنتجبين الهداة المهدييّن سيّما بقيةالله في الارضين
You are very welcome dear brethren, dear sisters, the brave and chivalrous people of [the city of] Qom and a group of esteemed clerics and reverend ulema.
And every year, the 19th day of [the Iranian month of] Dei (January 9) brings the good tidings to me
that I am going to meet with you faithful and brave and honorable people here.
Qom is full of motivation, [and is] full of hope; [this city] is both hopeful [and] inspires [others with] hope.
Qom is a pioneer city and has people who are certainly pioneers in our country.
From the 19th day of Dei in [the Iranian year 13]56 (January 9, 1978) – when I heard about developments of Qom from afar
and at the time when nothing was happening in the country in terms of popular gatherings and popular sentiments
and [then when] Qom rose up and started an uprising and stood fast and its people were killed and were martyred
– up to the present day, during which forty years have passed, Qom has continued its nonstop movement on the direct path.
This year, you also saw that on Dei 9, people of Qom staged that demonstration in the customary way
– which was also held across the country – but did not suffice to it;
on Dei 13 (January 3) they [also] held that enthusiastic demonstration [and] made that huge move.
This is what our nation has always said. What is said by our dear nation, our [various social] classes, our different cities, [and] our youths,
[and] what the revolution and the Islamic establishment say is to stand against bullying
and refrain from accepting imposition by [global] powers.
What the [Iranian] nation has said during all these years has been the same
and today that forty years have passed since those days, our nation pursues the same logic, the same path, [and] the same goal.
However, today, it is more mature, more experienced, [and] more skilled.
In terms of motivation, at the present time, if our youths are not more motivated than that time,
at least, have the likes of those motivations, in addition [to the fact that today] they are more numerous.
I mean, at the present time, the number of faithful [and] highly motivated youths who are ready to take the bull by the horns in dangerous arenas, is manifolds higher than
[the number of] our youths on the threshold of the revolution and during early years [after victory] of the revolution; this is uninterrupted path of this country.
Well, I always say such things, [and] there is always some evidence [and] some proof [to back up my remarks], but what happened these days,
was clear and evident proof to this issue.
As I said before, the Iranian nation in the remotest parts of the country, in big cities, in small cities
on Dei 9 – when these fireworks displays and wicked acts by persons, about which I will later explain, had just started
– [and] everywhere in the country, started this move, [and] then when they saw
that the enemy’s mercenaries would not stop, this demonstration was repeated without halt [and] on consecutive days.
[The nationwide rallies started] on the 13th day [of Dei] in Qom, in Ahvaz, in Hamedan, and in Kermanshah, [and] by the 14th day, the 15th day, the 16th day, [and] the 17th day, [they were held] in various cities,
[including] in big cities and again in Mashhad, in Shiraz, in Isfahan [and] in Tabriz.
These are not ordinary developments; these [developments] do not exist anywhere in the world; I am saying this with certainty.
This huge [and] consolidated move by people in the face of the enemy’s conspiracy
in this orderly manner, with this insight, with this enthusiasm, [and] with this motivation does not exist anywhere in the world;
and this [move] has been going on for forty years [in Iran], [because] we are not talking about a year and two years and five years and the likes of these;
it is about a nation’s battle against anti-nation, Iran’s battle against anti-Iran,
[and] Islam’s battle against anti-Islam; this [battle] has been going on and of course, will continue after this.
However, being busy struggling and resisting and being steadfast has not caused the Iranian nation
to ignore other dimensions and angles of life, [but] these very youths of yours,
[and] your children have made scientific advances, [and] these very agents of yours have done great things [for] the honor of the Iranian nation in the country and the region.
I mean, the nation has shown that it is a lively nation, is a vibrant nation, is a God-fearing nation, [and] God also helps [this nation].
Well, in fact, all the moves that the enemy has made in opposition to us during these forty years are counterattacks against the revolution.
The revolution politically uprooted the enemy in the country
and the enemy keeps launching counterattacks, and it is defeated every time.
It takes action and cannot [do anything]; it cannot achieve its goal due to steadfastness [of the Iranian nation], [and] due to [existence of] this strong popular and national barrier.
This time around, the nation once again strongly tells America and Britain and those [enemies of Iran] who are based in London that ‘you failed this time as well and will fail again [in the future]’.
They spent billions of dollars – [and this] is a reality that they spent billions [of dollars]
– [and] built networks for many years, [and] trained mercenaries in order to be able to make it difficult [for the Islamic establishment to achieve its goal] inside the country.
They did not say [this previously]; [however,] the current officials of America, whose simplicity in political affairs is evident, betrayed themselves
and said that ‘Iran cannot be dealt with from the outside, [therefore,] it must be destroyed from the inside’. This is [exactly] the same thing that they have been doing for a number of years:
building networks, [and] training mercenaries. Then to cover its costs [they] rip off dependent governments [in the region],
they come here and pay a visit to that given rich and moneyed government in the Persian Gulf [region]
and rip them off in order to cover their expenses [both] here and in other places.
[They also] recycle trashy people who have fled Iran,
[in order] to reenter them into the arena, [of course,] if they can be recycled [at all].
They [also] launched thousands of virtual networks, have launched scores of television channels,
[and] have launched satellite channels. They [also] started assassination and bombing squads and sent them into our borders,
both from southeast, and from northwest.
They bombarded this nation with lies and slanders and rumors,
so that, they may be able to change the thinking of this people, especially our nascent youths
– our dear young person, this young person, who has neither seen the Imam, nor seen the revolution, nor seen the period of the Sacred Defense,
nor seen our famous [and] great martyrs. They [wanted] to make an effect on the mind of these [youths]; [but] what was the result? [The result was someone] like Martyr Hojaji.
This dear recent martyr from [the city of] Najafabad and other martyrs, who were martyred in these couple of days, they were all among these young people.
And [the enemy also wants] to allure [some] people inside the country, [and] to infiltrate into some [Iranian] organs. [Of course,] they also enter [the arena] directly.
You witnessed – [and] I will explain later – interventions by American officials in these [past] few days
through these very internet networks and the likes of these; [however,] they once again were unable [to do anything], [and] despite all these efforts, they failed.
I deem it necessary to thank our dear nation; I must thank [the nation] a thousand times, not just once.
The nation, [is] really a mature, faithful, insightful, perseverant, punctual
[and] up-to-the-minute nation that knows when it the right moment to move.
On Thursday, those issues [and street protests] started in [the city of] Mashhad; on Saturday, that amazing demonstration [against riots was held],
and perhaps no demonstration had been held in Mashhad with so much enthusiasm and excitement for a couple of years.
Then, for a few days, other sporadic moves were made of which you are all aware; then from 13th to 17th [day] of [the Iranian month of] Dei (January 3-7),
for at least five consecutive days [people entered the scene]. Really, faithfulness of the nation, time awareness of the nation,
[and that] they know what they want to do at any time [is praiseworthy]. Well, others receive these messages;
yes, in their propaganda, they show hundreds of rioters and people who destroy [public property] as thousands,
[but] million-strong moves made by the nation in a demonstration are introduced as a [small] group or several thousand [people]!
They talk like this in [their] propaganda; but they understand [what is really happening]. Their politicians see [these demonstrations], [but] they turn a blind eye to them;
I mean the nation is doing its job, making its effect,
[and] strikes fear in the hearts of the enemy’s policymakers through this huge move that it makes.
The nation has really notched up its insight to the maximum;
in reality, this nation took to the heights its insight and showed its motivation well in these couple of days.
[Now is time for] analysis. Various analyses were presented by different people and [political] factions through newspapers [and] internet networks
about these issues. There was one common point among these analyses
and that point was a correct point, which was differentiation between honest and rightful demands of people
and violent and destructive moves by a group [of vandals]; these [two issues] must be differentiated from each other.
[The fact] that a given person is deprived of a right and protests
or these protesters – one hundred, [or] five hundred people – gather at some place and make their voice heard, is one thing;
and that a group tries to exploit this gathering and this motivation
and insults the Quran, insults Islam, insults [Iran’s] flag,
sets fire to mosques, destroys and burns down [public property] is something else. These are two [different] categories; [and] these [categories] must not be mixed with each other.
Those popular demands or popular protests or popular requests
have always existed in this country, [and] they exist now.Well, these problematic funds
or, for example, some problematic financial institutes or some problematic organs have dissatisfied some people;
it is now for a year, or perhaps more than a year – I get its news; reports are mostly given to me – that they have been holding gatherings in that given city,
in front of that given institute, in front of governor general’s office, [and even] in front of the parliament here [in Tehran].
There are such things; they have always been there and still are, [and] nobody is opposed or against them.
Such demands must be attended to, must be heard, must be listened to,
[and] must be answered as much as is possible.
Of course, among these demands, if there are ten demands, two demands may be out of place;
[however, with regard to] those [demands] that are justified, [and] those [demands] that are correct, all of us must follow up on them.
I am not saying that “they must follow up;” I myself am responsible, [and] all of us must follow up [on these demands].
[Of course,] I have certain things to tell officials in my remarks, about which I will explain
This is one thing, but these [demands] have nothing to do with a person who would set on fire the country’s flag
or some persons [who try to] exploit people’s gathering, talk and shout against people’s beliefs;
[and makes moves] against the Quran, against Islam, [and] against the Islamic Republic establishment!
Let me tell you; a triangle has been active in these developments. It is not special to the present time and the past; this was organized.
What I say here has intelligence evidence [to support it]; now, some [evidence] is obvious
and is what they have themselves said, [and] some [evidence] has been obtained through intelligence work.
A triangle was active [in recent developments]: the plan belonged to Americans and Zionists; they made the plan.
They have been making the plan for a few months. [The plan is] that ‘let us start [protests] in small cities, [then] move toward the center
and activate people with regard to their demands and incite them’.
This is the plan they have made, and have been working on it for some months.
This plan belongs to Americans and agents of the Zionist regime.
The money [to implement this plan] has been provided by one of these crazy rich littoral governments in the Persian Gulf.
Well, such plans need money, [and] they must spend money. Americans are not willing to spend money when these [Persian Gulf state] are [there to take the bill];
the money was paid by [some of] these [Persian Gulf states]. These are two sides [of that triangle]. The third side was about flunkeyism; flunkeyism was related to the Monafeqeen [Khalq] Organization,
[and] the murderous Monafeqeen [Khalq] Organization was their flunkey.
They were ready since many months ago; Monafeqeen media have admitted to this in recent days;
they said that ‘we were in contact with Americans about this issue since a few months ago’; [their mission was] to act as flunkeys,
organize [violent protests], meet with this and that [person], mark certain people inside the county and find people to help them
and issue calls [for taking part in protests] to people – the call was issued by them –
and chant the slogan “No to High Prices.” Well, this is a slogan that everybody likes;
they wanted to attract a group of people with this slogan, then enter the arena,
pursue their ominous goals and drag people behind them; this was the goal.
What people did here is this: at first, well, a group [of people] joined [the protests]; of course, their number was not high,
but as soon as they saw what goals were these [Monafeqeen] pursuing and their slogans became known, people broke ranks with them.
The same people, who had taken part in gatherings demanding “no to high prices,” and the likes of these on Thursday and Friday,
the same people took part in the huge popular demonstration [which was held] on Dei 9 and chanted slogans against them;
[and] chanted slogans against America [and] against Monafeqeen. People broke ranks [with Monafeqeen].
They established two command headquarters in the neighborhood of Iran. They themselves have owned up to this,
[and] these [facts that I am saying] are their own confession; not a confession made here, [but confessions by] those people, who reveal [confidential] remarks to the media
and talk [to reporters] in an interview and say certain things. They said that
two operation command headquarters for [management of] the cyberspace and management of riots
were established by Americans and agents of the Zionist regime in the neighborhood of Iran; they have themselves owned up to this.
I mean, they prepared everything beforehand, [and] they took their victory for granted beforehand.
[As Imam Sajjad says in his prayer:] Praise be to God who has made imbeciles our enemies;
praise be to God! Despite all these consecutive incidents, they have not known this nation yet, [and] have not understood
what the meaning of this strong barrier of national faith and national steadfastness and national bravery is; they have not got to the depth of it.
Then these wretched, fooled, disgraced, [and] miserable elements inside the country
shouted “May my life be sacrificed for Iran,” on the one hand, while setting the flag of Iran on fire,
on the other hand! These imbeciles did not understand that these two things do not go together.
[They said] “May my life be sacrificed for Iran;” well, God willing, you would be sacrificed for Iran,
but since when you – with these countenances [and] with such appearances – have stood tall in the face of the enemies of Iran?
In the face of the enemy of Iran again this very devotedly faithful young person has stood tall, [and] the revolutionary young person has stood tall.
Who were [among] three hundred thousand martyrs during the Sacred Defense? [Even] after that, who were those martyrs that we have had?
They were the same faithful and revolutionary youths who defended their country against counterrevolutionary [elements], against foreign invaders, [and] against America.
When did you lay down your life for Iran that you say “[May my life be] sacrificed for Iran? ” Now they say “[May my life be] sacrificed for Iran,” and later they set the flag on fire!
Isn’t this really a sign of imbecility, [and] a sign of immaturity and naivety?
Now, [let us talk about] America. America is angry, [and it] is very angry. Who is it angry with?
It is not simply angry with this humble one, it is angry with you as well; it is angry with the Iranian nation,
is angry with the Iranian government, [and] is angry with the Iranian revolution; why? Because of the defeat that it has suffered;
it has been defeated by this huge movement. Now, American officials have started talking nonsense!
The American president says ‘the Iranian government is afraid of its people’; no, [this is not true because] the Iranian government has been born by this people, belongs to this people,
has come into being by this people, [and] relies on this people; why it must be afraid?
If it were not for this people, there would be no [Islamic] government; [the fact] that this government has stood against you for forty years, it has done this with this people’s help;
it was the people who helped the government be able to stand against you.
[The American president] says that ‘the Iranian government is afraid of America’s power’; well, if we are afraid of you,
how come we managed to throw you out during the [Iranian 13]50s decade (1970s) and pushed you out of the entire region in the 1390s (2010s)?
He says ‘Iranian people are hungry and need food’; [at the same time,] in America, according to their own figures, there are fifty million
hungry people who need food aid;
yet he says ‘Iranian people are hungry!’ Iranian people have lived a dignified and honorable life,
[and] God willing through the divine assistance, [and] through the divine help they will become better with every passing day [and] to your dismay, their economic problems will be resolved as well.
The American president expresses concern [about Iranian people]! During these five [or] six days, he has made remarks on an almost daily basis.
He expresses concern about [Iranian] protesters [saying] that ‘we do not know’, for example ‘how protesters [are being treated] by the Iranian government’.
Aren’t you ashamed? During a year alone, your police have killed eight hundred of your own people!
[How] in a country, in a year, the police, who are supposed to guarantee security of people, can kill eight hundred people?
You are the same [officials] who in the case of that Wall Street uprising,
did everything you could against people, trampled on them, [and] beat them;
you have killed people on the basis of an accusation or a possibility.
A woman driver is driving a car [and] this police [officer] becomes suspicious and kills that woman before the eyes of her small kid!
Such incidents have happened serially in America.
And Britain! The officials of the wicked Britain also express concern [about developments in Iran].
The British judge in the case of attacks on Muslims and Muslims defending themselves – which took place quite recently –
ruled that if a Muslim picked up a rock, but did not throw it, he would be jailed for four years,
[and] if he threw it, he would be sent to jail for seven years! This is your judge.
These guys, who sometimes believe judgments [that are shown] in Hollywood movies, [and] in [other] movies
– which show that the judge talks like this, [and] police do like this – and think that the judicial systems in the West are like that, must hear these comments:
a British judge ruled that if you pick up a stone but do not hurl it, you will be sentenced to four years in jail, [and] if you hurled it, [your sentence will be] seven years [in prison].
If you make a Molotov cocktail and hold it [but] do to throw it, [your jail term will be] seven years. However, if you hurl it, the punishment will be fifteen years behind bars.
They rule like this. Then they express sympathy with protesters in Iran lest they may be wronged [by Iran's judicial system]!
Their final goal is evident. Of course, the former American administration did not own up to this, [and even] said the opposite of this.
[However,] their goal was also this: to overthrow the Islamic Republic.
The previous administration insisted [and even] repeated that ‘we recognize the Islamic Republic’; he [the former US president] also wrote a few letters to me
and kept repeating this [claim] in those letters that ‘we recognize the Islamic Republic’; however, well, I saw [their true intention];
one’s eyes are open and he understands; their behavior was a behavior aimed at overthrowing [the Islamic establishment].
These [new American leaders] are now saying such things explicitly and without any consideration,
[and] say that ‘we must overthrow the Islamic Republic of Iran’; this is [their] goal.
Well, what it the means [to achieve this end]? Pay close attention to this [point]!
Their means is to strip the Islamic Republic of its national power tools.
National power has [special] tools. One of the most important tools of national power is people’s emotions and the public opinion of people,
which works for the good and benefit of people and the government.
This public opinion [is a national power tool, and] they want to take this away from the Islamic Republic.
One of our national power tools – now I mention this on purpose because they keep repeating this –
is this very presence of us in the region. The powerful presence of the Islamic Republic in the region
is one of our national power tools. [This presence] shows our nation powerful and it is really like this;
[therefore, enemies] want to do away with this. Now, that given European president – [because] Americans do not dare to talk about negotiating with us –
[says] ‘we want to negotiate about presence of Iran in the region’.
[He says,] well, [we must] discuss your presence in this region; why you want to be present in the region?’
[Regional presence is important because] this is one of the national power tools; they want to take this away from the Islamic Republic.
One of the national power tools is the defensive power of the country.
They want to take this away from the Islamic Republic. [The fact] that you see they start such a hue and cry over [Iran's] missile issue and clamor is for this reason.
If a nation can give an appropriate response to one who fires a missile at it from afar,
well, this is a [form of national] power. At the present time, the Islamic Republic has this power
and they do not want [Iran] to have it; they want to take away [our] national power tools.
One of the most important tools of national power is our faithful youth;
they want to take this faith away from young people. It is this faithful youths that in [the case of] the nuclear issue,
in the case of scientific advances, in [the field of] nano [technology], in [the field of] genetic research and in other scientific fields
burns the candle at both ends, [and] undergoes hardships in order to take a scientific progress to its endpoint.
It is [done by] this faithful youth, [and] these are our faithful children [who take such steps] and I know many of them up-close.
They want to take this faith from this young person, [and] want to strip this young person of motivation.
Well, now let me mention some points, so that, my speech will not take very long.
One point is addressed at Americans. First of all, you gentlemen, the rulers of America! This time you hit a stonewall;
you may repeat [this mistake], [but] know that you will once again hit a stonewall.
Secondly, you inflicted great damage on us in these few days, [and] may do us harm in the future as well. Know that this will not go unpunished.
Thirdly, both this man, who is at the helm there, must know – although he is apparently not a balanced person
and these days in America they talk about his mental problem and [his need to be visited by] a psychiatrist and psychologist and the likes of these;
I have heard these [reports] as well – and [various] organs of the [American] government and those close to him [must also know this].
These theatrical shows of craziness will not go unanswered.
The Islamic Republic stands fast on its pillars and principles,
defends them, defends its nation, defends its interests
and will never give in to bullying and the likes of these. Now, this is about them; this was addressed at America.
Those who like to sit with Americans and talk to them and hold meetings with them
and be linked to them – both outside Iran, and now unfortunately some people inside [Iran] who may think [and] move like this –
these [people must] also hear what I just said to those gentlemen [and] know
that this nation and this establishment is standing fast and through the divine assistance will overcome all problems and weaknesses.
This establishment is able to do this and, God willing, will do this. This is addressed at Americans.
I [also] have something to say to our own government officials
– which of course, this covers this humble one as well – and political elements,
[including] those elements who are active in political work, [who] think, write, make speech, [and] take action.
[I am saying this] both to these [people] and to government officials:
first of all, I talked about the foreign enemy [and] what I said was not an analysis, [but] was fact, was news, [and] was information.
The foreign enemy exists, but this must not cause us to turn a blind eye to our own weaknesses.
We have weaknesses as well, [and] there are problems and insufficiencies and disorders in what we do.
It is not like that we are free of problems, there is no problem with what we do, [and] it is only the foreign enemy that is [causing problems for us]. No,
[remember that] a fly [usually] descends on a wound; [therefore, you must] heal the wound,
[and better than that,] do not let the wound be created. If we do not have any domestic problems,
neither these networks can make an effect, nor will America be able to do a damn thing.
We must solve our problems on our own; we must solve domestic problems,
[and] must do away with our weaknesses; we have weaknesses.
To defend the rights of the oppressed is a duty for all of us; in particular, [defending] the weak and the rights of the nation is our duty,
especially [defending] the less fortunate classes of the nation; everybody must be careful.
Now, there are [social] classes that are affluent, [and] livelihood problems are not pressuring them.
However, there is an important group in the country, which is pressed by pressures of life.
All our resolve must be [directed at] getting these [lower-class people] out of the pressure; this is what our efforts must be aimed at.
Another point is that all three branches of government must know the problems of the country
and focus on each and every problem.
If we make a list [of problems], assume that there is possible to be ten [or] fifteen basic problems and [we must] write them down on paper;
[then we must] divide the work, focus on this problem, allocate some time to it [and] solve [it].
I have convened many sessions for [discussing] social maladies.
Now, it has been two or two and a half years that once in a while, I have been
convening here a session for [discussing] social maladies with essential and high-ranking officials of the country, including ministers and lawmakers and officials in charge of [various] organs and heads of the three branches [of government] and the likes of this;
[in this session] we discuss social maladies, [and] talk [about them]. In those [discussions] I have told these gentlemen
that they must divide the work.
Of course, with regard to part of the work, fairly speaking, they have taken good steps, [and] have progressed as well;
with regard to some problems, they have focused, have worked, [and] have progressed.
We have no insolvable problem in the country
to say that this problem cannot be solved [or] this knot cannot be cut; we do not have such a thing, [and] everybody must know this.
All these knots can be cut, [however,] we must make ourselves slightly more prepared,
be more ready to work, work more, [and] work more meticulously.
The next point is that everybody must be together; the country’s officials must be together.
Yes, any sector of the country has a special field of responsibility, which must be held to account,
[and] that other field has nothing to do with this one; I know this. The Islamic Consultative Assembly (Iran's parliament), the Judiciary, the Executive
and other sectors and institutions, every one of them has a field of responsibility
[and] what is done in another field does not concern them, [and] they will not be held accountable for it; however, this is about normal conditions.
When you see that the enemy is threatening you – [and it is] an obstinate [and] stubborn enemy
– and [when enemies] are causing problems inside the country through what they have done, [at that time] everybody must cooperate with one another, [and] all must stand by one another.
I am telling this to all; both the country’s officials, and these political bodies in the country.
All of them must cooperate with one another, must make effort, must act synergistically,
[and] must not erode one another. It must not be like that this one says something that would erode [the efficiency] of the other,
[and] this one [in turn] also says something to erode the other one. They must act synergistically.
This is an integrated establishment, [and] the Islamic Republic establishment is an integrated establishment.
Yes, all sectors have separate responsibilities, but the establishment, is a single establishment.
The Executive also belongs to this establishment, the Judiciary also belongs to this establishment, the Legislature also belongs to this establishment,
the Armed Forces also belong to this establishment, the security forces also belong to this establishment,
[and] scientific organs also belong to this establishment; they are all as one.
The next point: everybody must take the law as [the main] criterion;
we will be harmed by lawlessness, [and] will be dealt a blow. You saw this [during post-election unrest] in [Iranian calendar year of 13]88 (2009).
[The fact] that the country was damaged in the year [13]88
– in the year [13]88 we were both damaged materially and our credit was also put in jeopardy in the world;
what was the reason? It was because of lawlessness. I told them let us act upon the law;
the [content of] law is clear. You say elections are flawed, very well, when elections are flawed,
the stipulation of law is clear that how the issue must be dealt with; well, let us act upon it.
[However,] they did not [accept this offer], did not comply with the law, acted in a lawless manner, [and] well, they caused a problem.
They caused problem for the country, they caused problem for themselves, [and] they caused problem for people.
For seven [or] eight months, they kept creating insecurity and various problems.
This is due to not complying with the law. My recommendation, my emphasis,
my demand of various organs is that everybody must submit to law.
Another point is that criticism is a good thing to do and is a necessary thing to do; giving notice is a good thing to do and a necessary thing to do.
However, giving notice and criticism should not amount to telling tales.
We have several thousand officials in the executive power;
well out of these several thousand officials, for example, a dozen may
be corrupt people. [If] we magnify this, augment it, [and] generalize it to all officials
, then if our young person hears this from me or you,
they will have every right to become anxious and say, “Wow! All our officials have this problem!”
No sir! Now among several hundred or several thousand agents of the executive power
or agents of the judicial power, a few are not good people. The same is true about the Judiciary [as well].
All these honorable and perseverant judges are working;
well, yes, there are certainly a few bad judges; I know that.
It has been like this at all times, it is right now, [and] these [bad people] are to be dealt with as well.
Such people are going to be dealt with in the executive power, these people are going to be dealt with in the judicial power,
[and] such bad people are going to be dealt with in the legislative power, at the parliament.
Now, assume that, for example, out of 200-300 Majlis deputies, a couple of them
do not fulfill their duties, or act in a different way; [what] they [do] cannot be generalized [to all lawmakers].
Therefore, if we give a notice, [and] if we criticize, it must be fair;
it must not be like that we would exaggerate, generalize [negative cases],
[and] demonize [the whole system]. Telling tale [in these cases] is an instance of demonization; [and] this is demonization.
The next point is that the country’s officials must attach importance to the issue of employment and production
– which [is why] I named the current year as the year of employment and domestic production; these are key issues.
of course, other officials may also play a part. Of course, I have frequently talked about the problem of imports with esteemed officials of the executive power.
Some complain that why that given person does not give notice [to executive officials];
no, [this is not true, because] I give many notices. [The fact] that you see I sometimes say something in public,
this is not even one-tenth of notices and stern browbeating and warnings that I give to these gentlemen.
In meetings with state officials, I often put forth many notices, warnings and demands.
It is not like that I am not informed about [such] issues; now, some people say that given person is not informed about that given issue.
With regard to social and public and essential issues of which people are informed, I
must be informed ten times [more than them] and praise be to God, I am. Numerous reports are sent to me from various sources
– either people, or governmental or officials or nonofficial [sources] – [and I] look at them, understand issues, [and] keep abreast of problems.
What I pursue is that these key points must be followed up on,
[and] be taken seriously. The issue of employment is among these [issues].
Many of these social corrupt acts and maladies will be gone if there is employment.
Many of these corrupt acts stem from unemployment of the youth.
If we want jobs be created, we must attach importance to the issue of production and keep up the domestic production through correct methods,
[and] accurate policies. By squandering money without having a plan, we would get nowhere;
[therefore,] we must calculate, [and] act precisely.
Praise be to God, officials in the executive power follow up on these issues, [and] are pursuing them.
God willing, I will help them as much as I can; God willing they would reach conclusions.
The next point is that our law enforcement officials, our security officials,
our IRGC (Islamic Revolution Guards Corps), [and] our Basij [force] have fulfilled their duties with regards to these issues and have done well.
High-ranking officials of the country have thanked them, [and] I also thank them. However, pay attention [to this point]:
that youth or adolescent, who is under emotional influence of an internet network in cyberspace
and makes a move or says something, are different from that person, who is in connection with organized bodies
and is one of those flunkeys; do not consider them as one.
Of course, some people mention students; there is no difference between student and non-student [in this regard];
our academic environment, praise be to God, is one of the best and healthiest environments. At the present time, we have a few million university students,
who are studying, are doing research, [and] are working; there has been no problem with our universities.
Now it is possible for a few persons to have got themselves caught in these developments;
do not get students involved [in these developments] for no reason. If somebody has really committed an offense, it makes no difference whether he is a seminary student,
a university student and cleric and non-cleric and educated and uneducated.
However, concerned officials [must] make a distinction between that person, who as I said before, for example assume, becomes emotional
due to an excitement in the cyberspace and does something or says something,
and that person, who is connected to a network of America’s lackeys and is connected with Monafeqeen [Khalq Organization]; they are not the same. This is also one point.
Enlightenment must be used with that first [group], [and] they must be talked to.
However, that person who kills somebody, those people who in [city of] Doroud, in Toiserkan,
[and] in Khomeini Shahr, commit murder, [and] destroy [public] property it is something different; they are not the same.
This is what I say to officials.
Let me say a few words to our dear people; of course, everything that I said so far was addressed at people as well.
I tell people that may God be satisfied with you; you did well; you [really] did well.
During all these years, whenever the country was in need, you entered [the arena]; [and] you entered the arena without condescending,
without any expectations, [and] with insight.
Our dear nation acted very well.
May the Almighty, God willing, send down His assistance, His mercy and His Grace on this nation.
You took the bull by its horns, [and] it was you who saved this country; the Iranian nation saved [this country].
Both in the case of the Sacred Defense [Iraqi imposed war on Iran], when the nation saved [the country],
both in political developments, and in scientific developments. You young people advanced the science [as well].
As I said before, in these organs, where there is scientific advancement, in most cases it is the people’s youths,
[that is,] all of them are the people’s youths, [and] your children
who are doing the scientific work. Your presence has given credit to the country.
Anywhere people’s presence is needed – now, either on the 22nd [day of the Iranian month] of Bahman (February 11), or on the [International] Quds Day,
or in developments such as [nationwide rallies on] Dei 9 (December 30) and the likes of these – people are present. You gave credit to [the country].
In elections, in demonstrations, [and] anywhere that presence of the people has been necessary,
people’s presence has been able [to make a difference]; you maintained the credit of the country.
What we need to pay attention to is that today, one of the most important plans of our enemies is to spread rumors.
As I said before, people’s public opinion is a source of national power.
What [enemies] do in order to change this public opinion? They spread lies, [and] they spread rumors.
You, first of all, do not help spread enemies’ rumors
[and it must not be like] that we hear something baseless from a person [and] then quote it in five [or] six other places.
Well, this is the same things that the enemy [expects us to do]. [Therefore,] do not do this;
[and] we must not repeat those rumors, which have been spread by the enemy. The next [point is that] we must not believe [rumors spread by the enemy].
As long as a correct document, [and] a logical [and] rational comment does not exist, what enemy says must not be believed.
Another point is that everybody must know that senior officials of the country are working.
If we think that [officials] are asleep, [and] do nothing, it would be wrong; it is not like this;
I witness [and] see this up-close. Senior officials are doing as much work as they can;
of course, there are shortcomings [and] faults in some places – not that I deny this;
[even] this humble one am both in fault [and] am to blame; may God forgive [all of us]
– but officials are working, [and] are endeavoring.
[It is not right] to rumor that “Sir, it is of no use, they cannot do anything; nothing is [possible] to do, [and] everywhere is in deadlock.” It is not like this.
Some problems are being solved, some problems can be solved, [and] some problems take time to be solved;
attention must be paid to these [points].
There are many problems when you look at from afar, you think you can solve them very easily, [but] when you get close, it becomes clear that they are not so simple.
I remember that when Imam [Khomeini] (May God’s Mercy Be upon Him) was still alive, some people went to him
[and] complained, for example, about that given state official – , I was president at that time;
[they] either [complained] about prime minister or that given minister – that ‘sir’, for example assume that ‘these [officials] have not taken that given step’, which they should have taken
and the likes of this. Imam listened [to their complaint and] when they were done, he said that it is difficult to run a country;
[and] it was really like this. [Running a country’s affairs] is difficult, is a difficult job, [and] is no easy job;
it needs perseverance, needs innovation, needs being up to the minute, needs being up to date,
needs physical preparedness, [and] needs mental preparedness. Well, there are officials
and all of them are almost directly or indirectly elected by people themselves, [and] they are working.
[Everybody] must help [them]; [and] everybody must help officials in order to do their job well.
Of course, I give notices [to officials] - as I said before, what I sometimes say in public,
does not amount to one-tenth of what I say in private meetings with these gentlemen [who are officials]; sometimes warn them, [and] sometimes criticize;
[and I] usually give notice with regard to different issues. However, well, as I said before, [I do it] as much as possible.
Let me tell this to everybody: I have honestly accepted the religious democracy,
[and] I really believe in the religious democracy. Every person that these people would choose,
I consider him as president, consider him as official, [and] consider helping him as necessary and a duty for myself.
It has been like this with all administrations [and] it is like this with this administration as well.
I have helped all administrations. Of course, I do not interfere in details of their work,
[and] I do not interfere in special duties that they have, but I help them. I have helped all administrations,
[and] with regard to this esteemed administration likewise, I help it.
And my hope and view to the future of this country is very bright.
I know that the Almighty God has decided to get this nation to the most sublime of ranks
and know that, God willing, due to the blessing of Islam and the blessing of the Islamic establishment,
without a doubt, the Iranian nation will achieve the highest ranks of a nation to the extent that the Iranian nation deserves,
and know that the enemy’s plot, the enemy’s [acts of] sabotage,
the enemy’s onslaught, [and] the enemy’s blow will have no effect and, in the real sense of the word, the enemy will not be able to do a damn thing.
Peace be unto you and so may the mercy of Allah and His blessings