Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, in a meeting with Minister of Intelligence Mahmoud Alavi as well as deputy ministers and Intelligence Ministry directors, described the ministry as "a very important and crucial stronghold" and the "watchful and vigilant eye of the Islamic establishment", noting: "The Ministry of Intelligence is the tough outer surface of the [Islamic] establishment which must by no means become vulnerable."
Ayatollah Khamenei offered gratitude to different sections of the Ministry of Intelligence for their faithful and round-the-clock efforts, saying the victory and survival of the Islamic Revolution of 1979 hinge upon remaining faithful. The Leader of the Islamic Revolution added: "The failure of the Global Arrogance in the face of the Islamic establishment, in spite of a plethora of diverse conspiracies and tactics which they plotted against the [Islamic] Revolution since the very first day, has not been possible without the support of 'faith'."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said any action aimed at undermining the faith of people and officials as "treason", adding: "The defense force that has protected the country over these years is the force of faith. If this powerful and effective weapon is weakened that will give rise to many repercussions."
In this regard, Ayatollah Khamenei stressed the need for the strengthening of the spiritual and faith-related aspects of the Ministry of Intelligence, saying: "The Ministry of Intelligence is the tough outer surface of the [Islamic] establishment and it must by no means become vulnerable. Therefore, bolstering such important elements as faith and spirituality in this ministry must be taken more seriously than in any other organ."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution pointed to the Ministry of Intelligence's rich potential due to recruitment of pious and revolutionary forces and youth, saying: "Raise and upgrade the new generation of the Ministry of Intelligence as devout and revolutionary as before."
Ayatollah Khamenei described the Ministry of Intelligence as the watchful and vigilant eye of the Islamic establishment, saying: "The fundamentals and orientations of the Islamic Revolution must be fully preserved as the Ministry of Intelligence."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said the fundamentals of the Islamic Revolution were the works and clearly expressed words of the late revolutionary founder Imam Khomeini, noting: "Taking a distance from the vertex of the arrogant current, i.e. the US, is among the most important uncompromisable fundamentals of our venerable imam and there is no room for concession and tolerance on this issue."
Ayatollah Khamenei noted: "The Ministry of Intelligence must be present in any section which might serve as a base for the enemy's ambuscade to deal a blow to the Islamic establishment and consider that section within its own jurisdiction."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution also highlighted the "Ministry of Intelligence's role in the materialization of the Economy of Resistance", saying: "The solution for driving the country out of problems is the Economy of Resistance. Certain actions have already started in this regard, but the results of activities have yet to be seen in practice as well."
Ayatollah Khamenei further stressed the role of the Ministry of Intelligence in dealing with and preventing economic corruption.
Prior to Ayatollah Khamenei's remarks, Minister of Intelligence Mahmoud Alavi presented an inclusive report about the plans and activities of the ministry.