Imam Khamenei: Today, powerful Iran knows well how to confront enemy

Ayatollah Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, formally endorsed Hujjatul-Islam wal Muslimeen Hassan Rouhani's presidency in a ceremony held in Imam Khomeini Hussainiyah today(Thursday) morning, August 03, 2017.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution reiterated that the endorsement ceremony is the beginning of a new era of management in the country, saying: "I hope that with new innovations and more capabilities than the past, the administration will be able to make the people happy."

His Eminence mentioned that endorsing the presidency is a symbol of democracy: "The people of Iran have played their part in electing the president and the high-ranking managers of the country 12 times already. Of course, ten parliamentary elections, five city and village councils elections and five Assembly of Experts elections should be added to this."

Stressing that all these achievements have been made because of the Revolution, His Eminence stated: "Our new generation should not forget certain things. We felt the pre-revolutionary era with all our hearts. We saw dictatorship and lack of attention towards the people in the area of government with all our hearts. Our youth did not witness that before the victory of the Revolution, our people did not have any role in the management of the country. The heads of countries, monarchs and their cohorts used come and go while the people were mere spectators. However, the Islamic Revolution came and brought the people from the periphery into the center. This way, the people were given the power to choose everything. Since the beginning of the Revolution, this is the 12th time that the results of the people's votes for the management of the executive branch are announced. Therefore, this endorsement ceremony is very important."

Pointing to the prominent role of the US government in appointing the officials of Iran in the pre-revolutionary era, he said: "Our magnanimous Imam changed this. It was his firm determination, his peerless faith, his reliance on God and his trust in the people that managed to change that condition."

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution added: "In the past four decades, the people and the administration have carried out great tasks. Many scientific, executive, practical and intellectual infrastructures have been built in the country. These infrastructures never existed before the Revolution. In the beginning of the Revolution, we did not have so many personalities who were prepared for management, but today, many youths have thankfully been trained to play their roles in this arena."

Ayatollah Khamenei added: "Despite the fact that after the Revolution, the enemies have always wanted to isolate the Iranian nation, the Iranian nation has not become isolated and it has cooperated with the world, but at the same time, it has confronted 'the system of domination' and 'arrogance' in a serious manner."

Referring to the effect of sanctions imposed by foreign powers on the Iranian nation, His Eminence reiterated: "They imposed sanctions on us. These sanctions have, of course, created some problems for the country, but they have also opened our eyes on our own resources. We had many capacities which we were not aware of. Today, despite the wishes of the enemy, we are strong and we know the ways to confront the enemy."

He added: "We have many shortcomings. We will not keep this out of sight and we will not deny this, nor will we deny that there are many untapped capacities at our disposal which we can benefit from by Allah's favor and with jihadi work and the people's support."

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution offered three major "orientations" to the administration: "The first orientation is attending to the people's problems and their livelihood issues. This should reach a satisfactory point in the next four years. The second orientation is extensive interaction with the world. This is the exact opposite of what our enemies and global imperialists are after. We can both help other nations and governments, and we can receive help from them. The third orientation is that you should confront every hegemonist with complete decisiveness and power no matter who that hegemonist might be. Today, the United States of America is more transgressing and shameless than anyone else."

Ayatollah Khamenei stated: "Four decades of international activities show us that the price of giving in to bullying power is much more than the price of resisting them. Surrendering to bullying powers will ruin nations and countries. It blocks the paths that lead to their progress."

At the end of his statements, His Eminence offered some words of advice to the administration: "The first word of advice is that you should consider this responsibility as some kind of trust that is in your custody. The Commander of the Faithful also stated that this responsibility falls on your shoulders like the things that you hold in trust."

The Leader of the Revolution added: "The next word of advice is that you have little time while there are many tasks to be carried out. We should take priorities into account both in the area of expenditure and planning. As the honorable President pointed out, today the issue of administering justice and uprooting poverty and corruption are our major priorities."

Ayatollah Khamenei also offered advice on planning and unity: "Another word of advice is that you should move forward by having plans. The Sixth Plan is a comprehensive one. The movement can be launched if you have plans, if you show complete precision and if you take all resources into account. My next word of advice is that you should attach great significance to national unity. Whatever we have is because of the unity of the people among themselves and their unity with officials. You should not become irritated with opposing viewpoints. You should allow opponents to criticize if they have critical views to express. Tasks are heavy and our shortcomings are not few in number."

Going among the people and appreciating the value of revolutionary forces were the other words of advice that His Eminence offered to the administration: "The next word of advice is that you should go among the people. You should connect with them directly and without any go-betweens. The reports that officials receive might be sincere and genuine, but they are very different from what an official witnesses when he meets with the people. Another word of advice is that you should appreciate the value of revolutionary and motivated forces. It is they who preserve the country in times of difficulty."

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution pointed to the intentions of the enemies of Iran and stated: "In international decisions, you should remember that the enemy has used all his power to destroy you. Today, some of the officials of the governments which are in conflict with us are saying this openly. Of course, some of them hide their intentions and do not express their enmity openly."

Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to the enemies' reaction to Iran's orbital launch vehicle tests that have been conducted recently, saying: "We send orbital launch vehicles to the space, but suddenly we see that they created uproar about it in the world while this is merely a scientific and technical activity. It is a necessary measure for every country and it is completely normal and ordinary."

His Eminence stated that enmities do not only exist in the military area: "Of course, we should be strong in the military area, but we should also be strong in the area of the economy, science and other areas."

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution added: "The last point is that you should rely on God and you should believe in the divine promise of assistance. You are taking the path of reviving the authority of God's religion. Therefore, you should be sure that God will help you."



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