Khamenei.ir

Knocking down the foundation of hereditary monarchy and creating an Islamic establishment: two great and unprecedented tasks in Iran’s history

In the history of our country, two great and unprecedented tasks were carried out by Imam (r.a.). One was the destruction of a structure which was based on a cruel and unreasonable hereditary monarchy. This hereditary monarchy had a millennium-long history in our country. This old and derelict structure - on the basis of which some people took over the government with the power of their swords and armies and then passed it to other people in a hereditary way - was a wrong and unreasonable tradition that dominated our country for several thousand years. The first task that Imam (r.a.) carried out was to destroy this wrong structure and to entrust affairs to the people. The second great task that our magnanimous Imam (r.a.) carried out was to create a government on the basis of Islam. This was unprecedented in the history of our country and the history of Islam after the early Islamic era. The great jihad that our magnanimous Imam (r.a.) did brought about such a valuable product. Therefore, it is really necessary to say that "He strove in His cause, such a striving that is due to Him" [Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 33, p. 18] which also exists in the Holy Quran: "And strive in His cause, such a striving that is due to Him". Like other saints, this great man was a manifestation of "He strove in His cause, such a striving that is due to Him". Of course, I should say in parenthesis that this great man's jihad was not merely a political, social and intellectual jihad, rather besides all these forms of jihad, he engaged in inner jihad as well. He engaged in jihad against one's self and he preserved his constant relationship with Allah the Exalted. This is another lesson.

The founder of the intellectual, political and social school of thought in the Islamic Revolution

Imam (r.a.) is the embodiment of the great movement that the people of Iran began and with which they transformed their history. Imam (r.a.) was the founder of an intellectual, political and social school of thought. The people of Iran accepted this school of thought, path and roadmap and they moved forward on it. The continuation of this path depends on gaining a correct understanding of it. Without knowing Imam (r.a.) - that is to say, knowing his principles - this roadmap will not be known... Imam was a great faqih. He was an outstanding and great faqih, philosopher and expert on theoretical mysticism. He was an outstanding personality on these matters and in scholarly areas, but Imam's (r.a.) outstanding personality is not dependent on either of these things, rather his main characteristic is manifest in this ayah: "And strive in His cause, such a striving that is due to Him" [The Holy Quran, 22: 78]. With his outstanding scholarly capabilities, he entered the arena of jihad in the way of God. He continued this jihad until the end of his life and he created a great movement, not only in his own country, but also in our entire region, in the entire world of Islam and - in one sense - in the whole world. The product of this movement was a unique product.

leader in meeting with members of the 9th Islamic Consultative Majlis

The key to solving the problems of the country exists inside the country

The following is the full text of the speech delivered on May 27, 2015 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a meeting with the members of the 9th Islamic Consultative Majlis on the occasion of the month of Sha'ban.

Leader's Speech in Meeting with Participants of 32nd International Quran Competitions

The following is the full text of the speech delivered on May 23, 2015 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a meeting with participants of the 32nd International Quran Competitions.

Leader's Speech at Imam Hussein (a.s.) University

7 Rights of believers on each other as explained by the Prophet of Islam (s)

Interview with Leader's Advisor on Foreign Affairs about the Nuclear Negotiations

Who created ISIS?

Today, the Americans claim that they want to fight against terrorism. This is while they themselves have created the most dangerous terrorist groups which are very large in number. Who created ISIS? They themselves acknowledge that they have played the main role in creating ISIS. Who pitted other small and large groups like ISIS against Iraq, Syria and other areas? Where do the bullets, weapons and dollars that exist in the pockets of these criminal assassins come from? Where does such money come from? Who are the people that support these numerous and dangerous terrorist groups at America's command? Is there any doubt that the hand of arrogance has played the largest part in creating terrorism and in strengthening, helping and supporting terrorists in the region?

U.S. created and supported ISIS

We have cooperated with those people who fought against terrorism in our country and in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. We helped them and we will continue to do that. We are opposed to terrorism… It is America that created ISIS. You supported those terrorists in Syria who kill people, burn individuals alive, tear open a dead man's chest and pull out and sink their teeth into hearts. It was you who supported such terrorists. It was you who encouraged them. Your drones destroyed the people's houses in Pakistan and Afghanistan. They turned people's wedding ceremonies into funerals - this was done in Iraq. It is you who are doing such things. Terrorism belongs to you. It is you who are terrorists. This is while you say that Iran supports terrorism. Terrorism is your job. We are opposed to terrorism and we fight against every terrorist.

On which basis does Islamic Republic support the oppressed?

We support the oppressed as much as we can. We support them within the scope of our capabilities because it is our responsibility to do so. Islam has said to us, "Be hostile towards the oppressor and supportive towards the oppressed" [speaking in Arabic]. This is the Commander of the Faithful's advice. We do not say, "Help your brothers no matter if they are the oppressor or the oppressed" [speaking in Arabic]. This was a slogan during the time of jahiliyya. They used to say, "You should defend and support your brother, whether he is the oppressor or the oppressed". This is not what the Holy Quran says. Islamic teachings forbid this. No matter who the oppressor is, we should confront and prevent them and we should support the oppressed no matter who they are.

Leader's Speech to Officials and Ambassadors of Islamic Countries on Mab'ath

America created ISIS

The most dangerous and vicious terrorists in the region are the Zionists. We are faced with and opposed to the Zionists. They say to us that Iran supports terrorism. It is you who support terrorism! It is America that supports the terrorist Zionist regime. It is America that created DAESH. You supported those terrorists in Syria who kill people, burn individuals alive, tear open a dead man's chest and pull out and sink their teeth into hearts. It was you who supported such terrorists. It was you who encouraged them. Your drones destroyed the people's houses in Pakistan and Afghanistan. They turned people's wedding ceremonies into funerals - this was done in Iraq. It is you who are doing such things. Terrorism belongs to you. It is you who are terrorists. This is while you say that Iran supports terrorism. Terrorism is your job. We are opposed to terrorism and we fight against every terrorist.

Leader Meets with President of Iraq

Leader Visits 28th Tehran International Book Fair

Leader's Speech in Meeting with Teachers from Throughout the Country

Statements during a meeting with members of the Congress on Commemorating the Muslim Peshmerga martyrs

Leader's Speech in Meeting with Officials of Martyrs of Semnan Commemoration Congress

Leader's Speech in Meeting with Laborers

Leader's Speech in Meeting with Police Commanders

Leader Meets with Afghan President

Leader's Speech in Meeting with Army Commanders and Personnel

The myth of nuclear weapons

Now, the Americans - followed by the Europeans and some other sycophants - have created the myth of nuclear weapons in order to claim that the Islamic Republic is a source of threat. But the source of threat is America itself. Today, the greatest source of threat in the world is the regime of America.

Leader's Congratulatory Message to Wrestlers

Leader's Speech in Meeting with Panegyrists

Reason is telling us not to pursue nuclear weapons

Enrichment and the other achievements that have been made in the nuclear area are a very important accomplishment. It is not a minor achievement. And these are only our initial steps in this industry. This industry should be worked on so that it makes progress. Now a few criminal countries which have either used nuclear bombs against other nations or tested them - such as America and France - are telling us what to do. Ten, twelve years ago, France conducted three nuclear tests - in a row - in the ocean. These tests are destructive and they destroy the marine environment. They conducted three dangerous tests. And there was little criticism over this matter in the world and later on, they shut mouths and it was over. This is while we are not after nuclear tests. We are not after nuclear weapons. And this is not because they are telling us not to pursue these things. Rather, we do not want these things for the sake of ourselves and our religion and because reason is telling us not to do so. Both shar'i and aqli [related to logic and reason] fatwas dictate that we do not pursue them. Our aqli fatwa is that we do not need a nuclear weapon either in the present time or in the future. A nuclear weapon is a source of trouble for a country like ours - I do not want to expand on this matter. So, nuclear achievements are very important and pursuing this industry and industrializing the country is a very important task. This should receive attention.

The allegory of stinky oil

The last point on this matter is about my demands. I have a number of demands which I made to officials and I insist on them. One is that officials should know our current nuclear achievements are very valuable. They should know this. They should not look at them as things of little value. They are very valuable. The nuclear industry is a necessity for any country. If some so-called intellectuals pick up their pens and write, "What do we need the nuclear industry for?" this is deception. This looks likes the things which used to be said during the time of Qajar dynasty. When oil was just discovered and the English had come to take it, Qajar officials said, "What do we want this smelly and stinking substance for? Let them take it". The statements that these so-called intellectuals say are like this. The nuclear industry is a necessity for any country. It is necessary for supplying energy, for preparing drugs, for turning seawater into drinking water and for fulfilling many other needs in the area of agriculture and other areas. The nuclear industry is an advanced industry in the world. It is an important industry.

Leader Meets with Turkish President

Leader's Speech at the Holy Shrine of Imam Ridha (a.s.)

An American trick

They say, "We will sign an agreement first. Then, we look at their behavior and lift sanctions if they adhere to it". This is an American trick. We do not agree with this. As our officials and honorable President explicitly said, lifting sanctions should be done without any delay and during the reaching of an agreement. Lifting sanctions is one of the terms of the agreement, not a result of it

Iranians are not against negotiations but against the bullying

Unfortunately in the Norouz message that the American president delivered, there were dishonest statements. Despite the fact that they claim to be the friends of the people of Iran, we can clearly see that these statements are not honest. One of the statements that he made was that there are some people in Iran who do not want the nuclear issue to be resolved in a diplomatic way. This is what he said. He said that there are some people in Iran who do not want the nuclear issue to be resolved through diplomacy. This is a lie. There is no one in Iran who does not want the nuclear issue to be resolved through negotiations. What the people of Iran do not want is to accept America's imposition and bullying. This is what they do not want. What the people of Iran resist is accepting the other side's bullying. The other side says that we should negotiate with it and accept whatever it says. This is what it says. The people of Iran have stood up against this bullying. Neither our officials, nor our negotiating team, nor the people of Iran - who have stood behind them - will accept this.