Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, addressing a massive and glorious crowed of people from different walks of life at the mausoleum of the late Imam Khomeini on Friday, described the founder of the Islamic Republic as a “revolutionary, devout and faithful” personality. Laying emphasis on the continuation of the path of the “revolutionary Imam of the nation” as the only way of progress and realization of the objectives of people and the Islamic establishment, Ayatollah Khamenei elucidated five important indicators of “revolutionarism” and added: “By benefiting from the experience of [Iran’s] nuclear talks [with six world powers], i.e. the proof of necessity of distrusting the US, the country’s drive and progress must go on.” 
   
In his speech marking the 27th anniversary of the departure of Imam Khomeini, Ayatollah Khamenei highlighted “revolutionary, devout and faithful” description as a comprehensive portrayal for the late Imam, adding: “The venerable Imam, was faithful to God, faithful to people, faithful to objective and faithful to the path that led him to this goal.” Regarding the “devout” character of Imam Khomeini, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said: “He was a faithful man serving Lord, he was humble and a man of prayer.”    

Ayatollah Khamenei highlighted the third characteristic of Imam Khomeini, saying: “The Imam was a ‘revolutionary imam’ and this attribute is the main cause of materialist powers’ anger with him.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution stressed that world powers are extremely intimidated when they hear about the Iranian nation’s 1979 Islamic Revolution and revolutionarism, saying: “The main reason for the exertion of pressures on the nation over these years under different pretexts including the nuclear issue and human rights is the revolutionarism of the Iranian nation and the Islamic establishment.”  

Ayatollah Khamenei said Iran spiraled out of world powers’ control following the 1979 Revolution and turned into an Islamic establishment which has set an inspiring precedent for nations. “The main issue is that the revolutionary Imam saved the country from many quagmires including ‘quagmire of dependence, political corruption, moral corruption, international humiliation, scientific, economic and technological backwardness and the US and Britain master-slave attitude’ and brought about a tremendous change in the drive of the country and the nation.” 

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution reiterated that the venerable Imam Khomeini changed the country’s path towards big objectives, i.e. the “governance of the religion of God”, adding: “The governance of the religion of God consists of the realization of genuine social justice, eradication of poverty and ignorance, eradication of oppression and social vices, establishment of Islamic values system, guaranteeing physical, moral and spiritual health, the scientific progress of the country, guaranteeing national dignity and identity and international might and activation of the country’s potentialities.” 

Reiterating that Imam Khomeini pushed the country towards these objectives thanks to the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “Although reaching these objectives takes time and requires efforts they are realizable and the only requirement for their realization is to move on the path of the Revolution and revolutionarism.”  

On the pathology of the Islamic establishment’s forward-moving drive, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said: “Since the demise of the venerable Imam, whenever we have acted [based on] revolutionary [ideals], we have made progress and whenever we have neglected revolutionarism and jihadi drive [sincere hard work] we have lagged behind and we have failed.”

Addressing people of all strata, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “We can move with a revolutionary drive on this path. In that case, progress is definite. [But] we can also move differently, that under such conditions, we will meet an appalling fate and the Iranian nation and Islam will be slapped in the face.” 

Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the Islamic Revolution as the unique and prominent asset of the nation and the country, noting: “A heavy price has been paid for the Revolution to pay off. However, alongside these costs, there have been abundant benefits.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution highlighted the strength of the Islamic Revolution after 37 years, saying: “Today, the circumstances for the Iranian nation are brighter and smoother than in the past and costs have become more avoidable.”  

“The Revolution was created with people’s determination, resolve and faith and thanks to the same popular force it has survived and taken root and resisted military threats and sanctions, has not been paralyzed and has been racing ahead courageously and proudly. From now onwards too, this drive must continue,” said Ayatollah Khamenei. 
   
Noting that revolutionarism is not limited to the period of struggles or the period of Imam Khomeini, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said: “Revolution and revolutionarism belong to all periods and Revolution is a running river and all those who act based on revolutionary criteria, even youths who did not experience the Imam’s lifetime, are revolutionary.” 

Ayatollah Khamenei said it was a mistake to draw a parallel between revolutionarism and extremism and divide people into “extremist” and “moderate”, saying: “Such divisions are a legacy of foreigners and the words of enemies and they must not be incorporated into the country’s political culture.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution highlighted another mistake with regard to the issue of revolutionarism, saying: “It is wrong to expect the same level of revolutionarism from all those who are moving in the direction of features and orientations of the Revolution, and what counts is having the features of revolutionarism.”   

“Someone may move better with regard to the concepts of the Revolution and revolutionary behavior and someone else does not move as seriously and vehemently as he does. Here both are revolutionary and we cannot accuse of non-revolutionarism and counter-revolutionarism someone who is faithful to the features of the Revolution but does not move properly,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.

Elucidating the main criteria of revolutionarism, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution explained five main indicators: “commitment to the fundamentals and basic values of the Islamic Revolution, continuous orientation of ideals and high ambitions for reaching them, commitment to the country’s all-embracing independence, sensitivity to the enemy and defying it, and religious and political piety.”   

Regarding the first indicator of revolutionarism, i.e. “commitment to fundamental values and principles”, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “Belief in pure Islam versus American Islam is the main point in this indicator.” 
“American Islam comprises two branches of ‘reactionary Islam’ and ‘secular Islam’, both of which the [Global] Arrogance supports,” added the Leader of the Islamic Revolution.

Ayatollah Khamenei referred to “deep-seated belief in people’s pivotal role” as another fundamental of the revolution, saying: “In the Islamic establishment, ‘people’s vote and demand and objectives and interests’ are essential. And genuine belief in these facts is a requirement of revolutionarism.”  

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution underlined “progress, change and evolution” as other examples of the basic values of the revolution, adding: “A revolutionary individual believes in this value and he seeks improvement and change in the conditions on a daily basis.”

“Supporting the underprivileged and oppressed strata” along with “supporting the oppressed in the world” was another value highlighted by Ayatollah Khamenei in his explanation of the first indicator of revolutionarism, i.e. commitment to the principles and fundamentals of revolutions.  

“If there is such commitment, or ‘steadfastness’ as enshrined in the [holy] Quran, the officials and the [Islamic] establishment will [be able to] move directly and steadfastly even in the face of turbulence of events. Otherwise, we will get indulged in ‘extremist pragmatism’ and our path and direction will change after every incident,” said the Leader of the Islamic Revolution.

Elucidating the second indictor of revolutionarism, i.e. “high ambition for progress and realizing ideals”, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “Under no circumstances, must one give up pursuing the great objectives of revolution and people or be contented with the status quo.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution referred to “laziness, conservatism and hopelessness” as the point opposite to this indicator, noting: “The path of progress never ends and we have to keep moving on this path under the aegis of revolutionarism.”  

The third indicator of revolutionarism is “commitment to independence” which Ayatollah Khamenei elucidated from the three political, cultural and economic perspectives.

Ayatollah Khamenei said: “The real meaning of political independence is that we should not be fooled by the enemies’ various methods and we have to protect national, regional and international independence under any circumstances.” 

Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to the schemes and ruses of enemies, particularly the US, noting: “They do not always come forward with threats. Sometimes they speak smilingly and even with flattering. For example they write letters offering to resolve global problems with us. Under such circumstances, one may be tempted to go and cooperate with a superpower in the resolution of international issues, little knowing that the enemy is seeking other objectives in the very essence of the issue.”
“The enemy’s invitation for cooperation in the resolution of global issues means invitation for assistance and involvement in the ‘game and the field it has sketched out and defined for the issues it keeps in mind’,” the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said.

Citing an example, Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the issue of Syria, saying: “If we did not agree to join the so-called US-led collation on the issue of Syria and similar issues was that we knew [quite well] that they want to take advantage of the power and influence of our [country] and other countries for realizing their own objectives.”

Issuing a significant warning, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution noted: “Such affairs apparently do not contradict independence, [but] in practice they mean filling up the enemies’ schedule and are truly anti-independence.”    

Elucidating the second branch of independence, Ayatollah Khamenei underscored the high importance of “cultural independence” and noted: “Revolutionarism means ‘opting for an Iranian-Islamic lifestyle’ and ‘seriously refraining from following in the footsteps of the West and foreigners’.”

To that effect, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution referred to new cyberspace tools as instruments for “engineering of data” and “West’s dominance on the nations’ culture”, adding: “Of course these tools could prove helpful. But they must be devoid of the enemy’s dominance and we must act so as the cyberspace would not serve as an environment for the infiltration and cultural dominance of the enemy.” 

“Economic independence”, in its sense as not being devoured by the economic vortex of the international community, was another important point highlighted by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution in the elucidation of the third indicator of revolutionarism, i.e. “commitment to the country’s all-embracing independence”. 

Ayatollah Khamenei said: “After the [end of the] nuclear talks, the Americans said: ‘The nuclear deal with Iran must help integrate Iran’s economy into the global community’. That means that Iran must be digested and absorbed into the ‘scheme and system designed by mainly Zionist capitalists for controlling the world’s financial interests.” 

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said: “Through sanctions, the Americans were seeking to cripple Iran’s economy. Now that the negotiations have reached certain results, they want to have Iran’s economy be devoured by the global economy led by the US.”

Ayatollah Khamenei said the “Economy of Resistance” is the only option for the realization of economic independence, adding: “Hopefully, according to its report, the administration [of President Hassan Rouhani] has embarked on measures in the year [named] ‘Economy of Resistance: Practical Steps and Action’. If it goes ahead as forcefully as it has started, people will definitely see its effects.”

“In all major decisions and all affairs including agreements with other countries, the Economy of Resistance must be seriously taken into consideration,” the Leader of the Islamic Revolution pointed out. 

Ayatollah Khamenei criticized those who tie economic prosperity exclusive to foreign investment, saying: “Attraction of foreign investment is good and necessary, but more important than that would be activating domestic potentialities and not everything should be tied to the attraction of foreign investment.” 

Similarly, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution referred to modern and cutting edge technologies, saying: “If foreign countries provide us with such technologies that would be good. But even if they refuse to do so, [our] youths who have turned our dear Iran into one of top ten countries in the world in nano, nuclear and other domains will definitely develop other technologies needed by the country with correct planning.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution then spoke about the fourth indicator of revolutionarism, i.e. “sensitivity to enemy”.
“Like at the warfront, each and every enemy move must be monitored and analyzed, its objectives must be identified and the necessary antidote must be meticulously prepared for countering possible poison in the enemy’s activities,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.
 
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution criticized those who turn a blind eye to the US’s overt and repeated hostilities and describe speaking about the enemy as the “illusion of conspiracy”, adding: “Denying the profound, continuous and evident enmities of the US with the Islamic Republic and the Iranian nation is a conspiracy meant to reduce sensitivities to the Great Satan [the US].”

Ayatollah Khamenei said the US’s hostility against Iran’s Islamic Revolution was intrinsic, adding: “The domineering powers reveal their nature by warmongering, supporting terrorism, suppressing freedom-seekers and oppressing the downtrodden Palestinian people, and the Islamic establishment could not remain silent and stay put in the face of such repressions.”  

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution likened US’s direct help to the invader of Yemeni people with its participation in the bombardment and massacre of innocent people, noting: “By virtue of Islamic teachings, one must not remain silent vis-à-vis these crimes.”

Summing up this part of his remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “Any individual and any current working for Islam and in the name of Islam will be committing a big mistake if they trust the US and they will receive a slap in the face [will become repentant].”

“In the very recent years, some Islamic currents in the region cooperated with the Americans under the pretext of ‘political wisdom’ and ‘tactic’, but now they are paying the price for trusting the Great Satan,” said the Leader of the Islamic Revolution.

Ayatollah Khamenei referred to Britain as another one of the really evil enemies of the Iranian nation, adding: “The Britons have never stopped their wickedness against the Iranian nation.”
“It lies within the framework of these very enmities that the British government’s propagandistic apparatus, in cahoots with the Americans and by forging documents, launches a propaganda campaign against the late Imam of the Iranian nation on the anniversary of the departure of the great and pure Imam,” said the Leader of the Islamic Revolution.  

Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to the ominous Zionist regime as an enemy in parallel with the US and Britain, adding: “We have to be sensitive to the enemies and be careful in dealing with their proposals, including political and economic offers. If there is such a sensitivity ‘defiance’ will follow and this is very ‘Great Jihad’.”

Ayatollah Khamenei also explained the last indictor of revolutionarism, i.e. “religious and political piety”, saying: “Religious piety means [making] efforts and [exercising] care for the realization of all objectives Islam has determined and demanded for the society.”

“In this regard, we should not rely solely on logical calculations because following up on these objectives is a religious obligation and anyone who separates Islam from political and social domains has yet to know God’s religion,” said the Leader of the Islamic Revolution.

“If religious piety is obtained so will be political piety, which will [in turn] protect mankind against ‘political and responsibility deviations’,” added Ayatollah Khamenei. 

In the concluding part of his speech to the glorious gathering of people for their renewal of allegiance with the ideals of the late Imam Khomeini, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution offered several important pieces of advice, the first of which was “attention to the Imam as a perfect example”. 

On this, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “In the roadmap expressed and sketched out today, the [late] Imam stands at the highest level from the standpoint of all indicators and he has to be taken into account [and followed] as a perfect example.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said studying the Imam’s collection of thoughts and Testament and getting to know his words and stances would clear the way for following him. He was addressing this piece of advice to all Iranians and the youths in particular. 

The second piece of advice by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution was “not to forget the experience gained from the nuclear talks”.

Ayatollah Khamenei noted: “This experience teaches us the lesson that if we even back down in the face of the US, it will never give up its destructive role.”

Referring to Iran’s nuclear talks with the P5+1 group of countries (US, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China) and even separate talks with US on the nuclear issue, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said: “Thanks to efforts by our active brethren, the negotiations reached common points, but the US has so far not fulfilled its obligations and shirked from its commitments.”  

“Many were assured of this behavior of the US even before the [start of the] nuclear talks and had predicted it, but those who did not know must understand now,” said Ayatollah Khamenei.

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said: “Assuming the impossible, even if we hold discussions and negotiations with the US in any domain including human rights, missiles, terrorism, Lebanon, Palestine and every other issue, and even back down from our principles and positions it (US) will not scale back [on its enmity] and after smiles and words it will pursue its own objectives in practice.”

Ayatollah Khamenei’s third piece of advice was about the “unity of administration and nation”.
“In any period of time, anybody may like or dislike an administration. That’s not a big issue. But the administration-nation unity should by no means be harmed,” said the Leader of the Islamic Revolution.

Ayatollah Khamenei said: “Of course, criticizing the administration and formulating demands are not bad and they do not contradict unity, but as I have expressed this piece of advice under all administrations we have to watch out for averting any hostility and rancor, and all must be empathic and close ranks against threats and enmities.”

Stressing the “unity among the three branches [of government]”, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said: “Unity does not contradict fulfillment of legal obligations, but empathy and collaboration of branches of power must not be harmed by personal or factional sentiments.” 

Ayatollah Khamenei stressed: “We should avoid expressing remarks that would cause ‘dichotomy’, ‘bipolarism’ and ‘hostility’ so that the enemy would find Iran an integrated body.”

The fourth piece of advice mentioned by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution was to “view confrontation with the US as a warfront”.
“Of course the US lies at the center of this front; however, this front is extended everywhere including inside the country. We have to watch out for the activities of all overt and covert corners of this front,” said Ayatollah Khamenei.

“Keeping lines of distance from the enemies bold” was the fifth piece of advice addressed to the gathering of the commemoration of the 27th anniversary of the departure of Imam Khomeini by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution.

“Having ignored these necessities, certain domestic currents have not respected these borderlines and the distances have been overshadowed, but we have to be careful so that the borderlines with the enemies of the Revolution and the Imam and the nation would not be eclipsed,” said Ayatollah Khamenei. 

And the last piece of advice by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution for the nation and officials was as follows: “Place full confidence in God’s promise of assistance and be sure that the future belongs to the Iranian nation and youths to the dismay of the enemies.”

Prior to Ayatollah Khamenei’s remarks, the grandson of Imam Khomeini, Hojjatoleslam Hassan Khomeini who is also the custodian of Imam Khomeini’s mausoleum, told the commemorative ceremony that the Islamic Revolution is a divine and popular revolution.
“Endowment with divine guidance, dignity, friendship and kindness, unity, Lord’s assistance and popular support are among the unique features of Imam Khomeini’s great and historic movement which has continued in the best form following Imam Khomeini’s demise because a competent leader was chosen as his successor,” he said.