In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful 

Praise be to God and blessings be bestowed upon our master Muhammad and his pure progeny.

My greetings to you

In addition to the advantages already mentioned by Mr [Mohammad] Yazdi, the respected chairman of the Assembly of Experts, there is also another advantage which is exclusively for me. These gatherings give me a chance to meet with dear brothers and respected people. That is a chance for me and we pray to Almighty God to help you all succeed so that these heavy tasks upon all of us would be, God willing, accomplished in the best way.

First, I congratulate Mr Yazdi on winning the chairmanship of this assembly. His character, his records and his qualifications are all indicators of this right choice. Hopefully, God will help him carry out his tasks. We also honor the late Mr [Mohammad-Reza] Mahdavi. He was a great personality. The presence of the late Mr Mahdavi for long years following the victory of the revolution, in addition to his combats before the revolution, was effective. He represented an active cleric and a scholar. We pray for the departed soul to rest in eternal peace.

Thanks to God, the gathering in which this election was held, was reported to be very calm and it would serve as an example for bodies that hold similar elections. Thanks to God, you did a great job without letting marginal issues and rivalries, which happen in such elections, interfere.

Given the conditions prevailing over our region and the entire world and a challenge under way between the Islamic Republic and several arrogant and despotic governments on a variety of issues – the nuclear issue and others – and given economic deliberations in the country and efforts under way by officials for the realization of Islamic objectives and people’s interests, and finally given the spread of Isamophobia in the West, the point emerging here is that Islam demands that Muslims establish a fully Islamic establishment. Islam demands full introduction of Islamic teachings.

A religion of minimums and contenting oneself with minimums are not acceptable from the view of Islam. In our own teachings, we don’t have such a thing as a religion of minimums. On several occasions, it has been scolded. The Koranic verses “Who have made the Qur'an into portions” and “Indeed, those who disbelieve in Allah and His messengers and wish to discriminate between Allah and His messengers and say, "We believe in some and disbelieve in others," and wish to adopt a way in between” are related to this subject. Even, some other aspects of the religion are more prominent.  “We have already sent our messengers with clear evidences and sent down with them the Scripture and the balance that the people may maintain [their affairs] in justice. And we sent down iron, wherein is great military might and benefits for the people, and so that Allah may make evident those who support Him and His messengers unseen. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might.” indicates that the main objective behind the revelation of the holy book and the assignment of prophets has been justice. We may interpret this verse differently, but either way, it would highlight the significance of justice in the society.

However, it does not mean that the religion recommends us to focus all our efforts on social justice and ignore other aspects of Islam. No, that’s not so. 

“[And they are] those who, if We give them authority in the land, establish prayer and give zakah and enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. And to Allah belongs the outcome of [all] matters.”

“And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], "Worship Allah and avoid Taghut." And among them were those whom Allah guided, and among them were those upon whom error was [deservedly] decreed. So proceed through the earth and observe how was the end of the deniers.”

These words have been repeated in the Koran on several occasions, showing that Almighty God assigned missions to the prophets to promote monotheism and warn people off diabolism. 

“And they had already promised Allah before not to turn their backs and flee. And ever is the promise to Allah [that about which one will be] questioned.”

“Say, [O Muhammad], "Never will fleeing benefit you if you should flee from death or killing; and then [if you did], you would not be given enjoyment [of life] except for a little."

The Islamic establishment which we are seeking entails all potentialities which motivate officials and people in the country. Such an establishment is genuine when all elements of Islam are respected in it. By all elements, we mean both in form and in spirit. The form of Islam comprises our remarks and our practices, the spirit of Islam implies an objective or an ideal which we envisage to reach by planning. We need a plan to realize these objectives and that would drive everything towards perfection.

Today, we often hear from arrogant powers and opponents of Islamic establishment, particularly the Islamic Republic, that they seek “behavior change”, claiming that they no longer want regime change. But, a change in behavior is no different from regime change. They are the same. Changing in behavior means you should give up your efforts for an objective. That means a change in behavior and is often interpreted as the religion of minimums. It means annihilation of the very spirit of the religion. A religion of minimums means elimination of religion. Under such circumstances, our objective must be perfect Islam. We have to make our maximum efforts. Almighty God never expects us anything beyond our power, but our objective should be full implementation of Islam in the society. When it becomes an objective, the issue of Islamophobia, which is common in today’s world, emerges. In my view, one should by no means be passive in the face of Islamophobia. Yes, there is Islamophobia. Some are scaring people, societies, youth and minds away from Islam. Who are they? When we scrutinize the issue we see that they are a bullying minority fearing the rule of Islam. They fear political Islam, they fear the presence of Islam in everyday life and the reason for their fear is that their interests will be harmed.

Islamophobia is in fact the translation of fear and panicking of powers in the face of Islam. That is the essence of the issue. You’ve made efforts here, the Iranian nation has made efforts and combated to establish and Islamic system and stabilize this Islamic system, immunize it against different dangers and strengthened it on a daily basis. That scares the world’s bullying powers. The Islamophobia which we observe today is in fact the reflection of their anxieties. Their panicking shows that you’ve made progress, shows that Islam has managed to push ahead with its move.

Of course, despite their efforts, their move against Islam and their endeavors for Islamophobia will backfire. Questions will arise due to these attempts on Islam. If people in the world are notified they will start wondering why Islam is being attacked so much by Zionist media and television channels affiliated with circles of power and wealth. That is a good question which we think can change this threat into an opportunity.

We have to make efforts and that is an important job in the Islamic Republic. Everyone, wherever he is, should make efforts to promote pure Islam, pro-oppressed and anti-oppressor Islam. Youths in Europe, America or remote regions will be excited to see that Islam consists of a force, motivation and thought against oppressors and in favor of the oppressed. We have to promote an Islam favoring wisdom, an Islam of deep philosophies, an Islam of thinking, as highlighted in the Koran. We have to promote an Islam which supports rationality and opposes discrimination, rigid-mindedness and illusionism. We should show such a pure Islam and tell them Islam rejects promiscuity. Such an Islam demands commitment from mankind. An Islam present in everyday life versus secular Islam. Secular Islam is similar to secular Christianity which imprisons itself in the corner of the church and is totally absent from real life. Secular Islam is the same. There are some who invite to isolated Islam, an Islam which has nothing to do with people’s life. This Islam only calls for prayers at mosque or at home.

We should promote an Islam which is enshrined in everyday life, an Islam of clemency for the oppressed and an Islam of jihad and fight against the arrogant. 

This is an obligation upon all of us. Our scientific and promotion bodies, our seminaries should pursue this objective. It is clear who is invading Islam today. 

These invaders are affiliated with a politically and economically powerful group, mainly Zionist Jews. And if they are not Zionist Jews they are non-Jewish Zionists. Today, we have non-Jewish Zionists in the world. Faced with them, we promote the question why Islam is being attacked. Then we will introduce the genuine Islam to people in the world.

In my view, if all clerics and religious scholars work for the realization of genuine Islam and countering these hostilities, we will be successful. 

There are also global challenges. I think that we should refrain from superficiality in dealing with these challenges. Today, we have a challenge with the US, we have a challenge with some European countries. Today, the challenge is about the nuclear issue. There are also other challenges between us and them. We should try to find out where these challenges stem from. We have to find the roots and avoid superficiality. We have also to scrutinize the problems. For example, suppose sanctions have harmed us and our economy. Why? When we carefully study the issue, we see that these harmful consequences stem from our dependence on oil, or the absence of people in economic affairs. The state-run nature of the economy is the main cause. If we find the main cause and find a remedy for it, the sanctions will become ineffective or blunt. 

If the enemy is in a position to impose embargos on us and for example targets our oil and we feel worried, it is because we have tied our life and economy to oil. The government is targeted, but different state bodies are slapped with sanctions. That is because these organs are state-run. We could have involved people in the economy. Our mistakes at the beginning of the revolution for government control on everything have given rise to what we see today. We have to resolve these problems.

I think that the problems will be resolved if we think and move this way. It means that we would not depend on the affection of the opposite party for resolving our problems. We can influence the tense ambiance existing between us and our enemies and arrogant powers. The ongoing [nuclear] talks are a case in point. Nuclear negotiations are currently overshadowing our diplomatic activities. The same logic could apply to these negotiations and that will turn out to be effective.

Of course, here, I have to note: This team and group assigned by the esteemed president for nuclear talks are trustable and good people. We know some of them very closely and they are really acceptable.

We know some others based on their remarks and actions. They are also trustable and sympathetic and they are making efforts. We have to express this issue fairly. Although these friends are qualified and trustworthy and are making efforts for the interest of the country, I am worried because the opposite party is for trickery. Among things which often remain hidden from eyes is trickery with a wrong appearance. Nobody takes them for trickery. Today, the US is a financial, economic, political, military and security power. One may ignore the fact that this powerful country is sly. It is for trickery, it is for deception and it is for stabbing in the back. We should not imagine that because they have atomic bomb or military power they no longer need to resort to trickery and deception. No, on the contrary they need so much and they really practice trickery. This worries us. We have to watch out for enemies’ plots. Always ahead of the deadline set for the conclusion of negotiations, the Americans adopt a harsher, tougher and more radical tone in order to realize their objectives. This is part of their plots, ruses and tricks.

And you see that they make really empty and disgusting allegations. After a Zionist clown travelled to the US and made remarks, the US officials sought to steer clear of all this, but they still claimed that Iran sponsors terrorism. That’s risible. Today, everyone is seeing in the world that the government that has supported the most infamous terrorists – ISIL and their likes – and has created them and continues to support them despite claiming to be against them is the US and the US allies who are supporting, helping and cooperating with the US. They are sponsoring terrorism and infamous murderous terrorists. The US is supporting a government – the fake Zionist government – which officially acknowledges to be a terrorist. That means sponsoring terrorism. They are sponsoring terrorism in the most heinous way, but they accuse the Islamic Republic of supporting terrorists. These issues must be taken into consideration.

The letter signed by senators shows the demise of political ethics in the US system. It is clear that they are collapsing. All world governments remain committed to their international obligations. A government comes to power and accepts some obligations. Another government takes over. The obligations remain in effect and they are not violated. These [American] senators have openly announced that the deal the current US administration may sign with you will be null and void after its term ends. This is the ultimate of demise of political ethics and shows that this system could not continue. Meantime, they claim that they intend to teach Iranians how to respect the law. We don’t need their lessons. Even if we reach an agreement we know how to act so that they could no longer corner the Islamic Republic. The Islamic Republic’s officials know how to act. There is no need for their teachings. But the way they are behaving indicates collapse.

We are making efforts and making economic and cultural decisions. Should I remain alive, I will have something to say at the beginning of [Persian] New Year.

We should not forget this principle that our task is to promote a perfect Islam. We should not undermine Islamic ideals for our own interests. No, our success and our progress depend on full implementation of Islam. If that happens Almighty God will also help. These are clearly expressed in Koranic verses. 

“O you who have believed, if you support Allah , He will support you and plant firmly your feet.”

“Every time they want to get out of Hellfire from anguish, they will be returned to it, and [it will be said], "Taste the punishment of the Burning Fire!"

“And [that] He may punish the hypocrite men and hypocrite women, and the polytheist men and polytheist women - those who assume about Allah an assumption of evil nature. Upon them is a misfortune of evil nature; and Allah has become angry with them and has cursed them and prepared for them Hell, and evil it is as a destination.”

We hope that Almighty God will help us and you to carry out our tasks in this regard and win divine benedictions for our country and our nation. We hope that Almighty God will bestow blessing upon the late imam and the martyrs who showed us this way.

Peace be unto you and so may the mercy of Allah and His blessings.