Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, in a meeting on Monday with thousands of people from different walks of life from different provinces, said he was deeply and constantly concerned with people’s livelihood problems. Reiterating the need for relying on domestic potentialities as the only solution to people’s problems Ayatollah Khamenei said: “As an experience, the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) proved once more the futility of negotiations with the Americans, their non-commitment to pledges and the necessity of distrust of the Americans’ promises, and showed that the path for the country’s progress and improvement of people’s livelihood lied in the attention to domestic [potentialities] and not to the enemies who are constantly causing obstacles to Iran in the region and the world.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said the presence of people of different walks of life from different provinces and areas of the country in this meeting was an indicative of the fact that the Iranian people, regardless of their variety of languages and dialects, ethnicities and religious sects, are making efforts in an integrated and united manner to introduce Iran as the spiritual and material example of a Muslim country to the world so that other Muslim nations would continue this honorable path by resistance to divisive and exploitative policies of the Arrogance.

Ayatollah Khamenei said fairly speaking, Iran’s scientific, political and social progress in the aftermath of the 1979 Islamic Revolution has been commendable, noting: “An Iran which was ‘dependent, backward and submissive to the US and England’ under the dictatorial Pahlavi [regime] has now turned into a dear and powerful country which big powers are viewing as a regional rival and are making efforts to dominate its potentialities and assets; Of course, they could not.”

Citing the historical experience of establishment and blossoming of the Islamic civilization, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said: “Of course it takes time for [our] dear Iran to turn into an exemplary Muslim country and requires relentless efforts and endeavors by officials and the nation.”

Ayatollah Khamenei said the only way for Iran to become an exemplary country would be to rely on its domestic potentialities and assets, adding: “The realization of this objective needs accurate strategy and planning, relentless work and effort and refraining from laziness and idleness and [placing] trust and confidence in enemies.”

"Sometimes, the enemy creates obstacles on the way that could be overcome through wisdom and foresight, but under no conditions it must be trusted,” said the Leader of the Islamic Revolution.

Ayatollah Khamenei said the “JCPOA experience” was a clear example of the soundness of necessity of distrust of enemies, adding: “Today, even the diplomats and individuals who were present in the [nuclear] negotiations reiterate the fact that the US breaks its promises, and while speaking softly and sweetly [to Iran], is busy obstructing and damaging Iran’s economic relations with other countries.”

"Of course, we have been reiterating the issue of mistrust of the Americans for years, but certain [individuals] could hardly accept this fact,” said the Leader of the Islamic Revolution.

Ayatollah Khamenei referred to last week’s negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 world powers in Europe, saying: “In this meeting, the Iranian negotiators warned the opposite parties that they were breaking their promises, not respecting their obligations and were still creating obstacles.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution noted that more than 6 months have passed since Iran’s nuclear agreement with the world powers came into force, asking: “Was it not agreed that the unjust sanctions be lifted to have [positive] effects on people’s life? Is any tangible effect seen on people’s life after six months? [Even] if the Americans had respected their obligations, has the administration not been able to do a lot over this time?”
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to officials’ remarks before the implementation of the JCPOA that the sanctions would be lifted all at once after Iran fulfilled its obligations, adding: “But now the gradual lifting of sanctions is bandied about. Why?”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution pointed to the Americans’ expression of sincerity and solidarity in their previous letters sent to the Islamic Republic, adding: “Some two years ago we said that the nation will look at the nuclear negotiations as an experience to see how the Americans will act in practice, and now it has become clear that in spite of their promises, they are still busy with conspiracy and destruction.”

Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated that the US’s behavior in the issue of JCPOA would add to the Iranian nation’s experiences, adding: “They invite us to negotiate about regional issues, but the JCPOA experience tells us that such a thing will be a lethal poison and we cannot trust the Americans in any issue.”

"If the enemy of mankind at least keeps his promise, it will be possible to negotiate with him in certain cases, but if it turns out to be treacherous like the Americans and does not shy away from breaking his promise despite sporting a smile, we cannot and must not negotiate with him. This fact has been the cause of my constant opposition to negotiations with the Americans,” said the Leader of the Islamic Revolution.

Ayatollah Khamenei said regional problems and challenges between Iran and the US could not be settled through negotiations, noting: “We have to move on the correct path towards the country’s material and spiritual progress. Then, we will see all that the enemy will be running after us instead of us running after the enemy.”

Citing remarks from Iranian diplomats, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said: “The Americans want to take everything and give nothing [in return]. Negotiations with such a government would mean ‘deviation from the correct path of national progress, giving concessions in rapid succession and submission to their bullying, violation and breach of promises’.”

Ayatollah Khamenei cited the late revolutionary founder Imam Khomeini’s description of the US as the Great Satan, adding: “In accordance with Quranic verses, Satan will tell its followers on Judgment Day to reprove themselves for having trusted in his false promises. Today, ignorance of the falseness of US’s promises and not trusting it is a case in point.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution called on the youth and intellectuals to reflect upon the country’s policies vis-à-vis the US, saying: “These policies have taken shape based on experience, knowledge of the enemy, realistic knowledge of the conditions of the country, the region and the world.”

In another part of his remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei once more stressed the need for the officials’ theoretical and practical reliance upon the country’s abundant potentialities and talents, saying the revival of small and medium-sized enterprises and attention to knowledge-based economy will tangibly reduce the current problems.

The Leader invited the Iranian people to consume domestically-made commodities like home appliances, adding: “Despite insistence on the necessity of a ban on importing commodities with homegrown prototypes, markets are unfortunately replete with foreign commodities and domestic production is under pressure.”

Ayatollah Khamenei underlined the need for firm action against big smugglers and uprooting contraband smuggling, adding: “The continuation of the current status of domestic production would mean youth unemployment, more stagnation and a difficult life for people. Such things could not be resolved through relations with the US and Europe. Officials must take action.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said he was deeply and constantly concerned with people’s livelihood problems, adding: “All consultations with pundits show that the solution to this problem hinges upon focus and reliance upon domestic potentialities.”

Ayatollah Khamenei said foreign business delegations’ visits to Iran in recent months have been fruitless at least so far, adding: “Their objective is to dominate the domestic consumer market while such transactions must end in real investment and transfer of new technology.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said preventing domestic corruption was among the most important issues, adding: “Thanks to God, officials have made it clear that they will bring a halt to exorbitant salaries and overpayment. Some measures have been taken in some sectors and that must continue and be followed up on.”

Ayatollah Khamenei called on officials to oppose and counter aristocracy in words and deeds, adding: “When aristocracy emerges at the summits of the society that will spill over into grass roots. Therefore, the culture of aristocracy must be fully countered.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution recalled that the current Iranian calendar year has been named “the Economy of Resistance; Practical Steps and Action”, adding: “Of course, certain measures have been taken, but the result of these measures must be felt and be tangible for people.”

Ayatollah Khamenei went on to speak about the issues and tumultuous conditions of the region and after analyzing the affairs, he said: “In this issues too, the US’s footprint is visible.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said revelations about the Saudi government’s communications with the Zionist regime of Israel were a stab in the back of the Islamic Ummah, adding: “This conduct of the Saudis is a sin and high treason; however, the Americans are implicated in this big mistake because the Saudi government is submissive to and dominated by and at the order of the US government.”

Ayatollah Khamenei said the Saudi aggression on Yemen, relentless bombing of “residences, hospitals and schools” and their continuous child killing amounted to another big crime committed by the Saudi regime, adding: “These crimes are being committed by American arms and their green light.”

“Unfortunately even if the United Nations decides to condemn these crimes after hesitation they (the Saudis) gag its mouth with money, threat and pressure,” noted the Leader of the Islamic Revolution.

“The disgraced secretary general of the UN admitted to these pressures, but he had to step down instead of confessing; He should not have remained in office and betray humanity,” said Ayatollah Khamenei.

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said the issue of Bahrain and the intervention of a foreign military division for ramping up pressure on people in this country was another example of US-backed actions, noting: “Today, the Saudi government is in the hands of unwise people, but a precise analysis of issues shows that the US has a hand in all these issues.”

Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the Americans’ role in creating and boosting Takfiri groups with the objective of causing division in the Islamic Ummah, spreading “Umayyad and Marwan-style Islam” and defaming “genuine Islam”, adding: “The Americans claim that they have formed a coalition against Takfiri groups while they take no concrete action against them and according to some reports they are [even] helping these groups.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said: “Of course today, Takfiri groups are backfiring on their supporters because as we Iranians say anyone sowing the wind will reap the whirlwind.”

Concluding this part of his remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei said the US has been the creator or intensifier of problems in the region, noting: “Regional nations are able to resolve these issues and while inviting the regional governments, we warn them that the US is not reliable and looks at the Arab governments as a tool to safeguarding the Zionist regime [of Israel] and realizing its arrogant interests in the region.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said the solution to regional problems was “unity of Muslim nations and governments” and “resistance against arrogant objectives of the US and some European governments”, adding: “These objectives must be identified and be countered and our nation is standing firm on this path.
Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that despite all their attempts, the Americans’ plots and schemes have been disclosed and the US is weakened further in the region from day to day.

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said the US’s meddlesome and hostile attitude was not limited to the Islamic Republic of Iran, adding: “In the recent issues in Turkey, there is a strong accusation that the [failed July 15] coup had been fomented by the Americans. If this issue is proven that will be a great scandal for the US.”

Ayatollah Khamenei referred to Turkey’s good relations with the US as a regional ally, adding: “The Americans are opposed to Islam and Islamism. Therefore, in Turkey where there is Islamism they fomented a coup.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution reiterated: “Of course this attempt was quelled and the US won hatred in the eyes of Turkish people. Similarly in Iraq, Syria and other spots, the Americans are being weakened.”

Ayatollah Khamenei highlighted the divine promise of assistance for those helping promote the religion of God, saying: “If the Iranian nation remains optimistic about this definite promise and makes preparations for it all problems will be overcome.”

At the start of his remarks, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution referred to the impending advent of the lunar month of Dhu’l-Qi’dah (one of the four sacred months in Islam during which warfare is prohibited), adding: “The description of haram month means more respect God has shown for these months and has prohibited certain things. In response to this divine respect, one has to pray to Lord more in haram months [than in other months] and thrives for acquiring spirituality.”

The meeting was attended by people of different walks of life from West Azarbaijan, Ardabil, Sistan and Baluchestan, Lorestan and Kermanshah provinces