In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

Meeting with dear youths, [university] students, [and] pupils in days that have been designated for confronting and fighting against the [global] arrogance is very opportune. [You] the group [of students] who are present here are just a sample of all vigilant youths of our nation; and not only young people, but all aware, analytic, [and] insightful human beings have the same positions that you have expressed here today with your slogan, [and] with your remarks.

These days, are the days related to [the third Shia Imam] Hussein ibn Ali (PBUH), [and are] days of fervor and historical excitement of the Muslim Ummah, which is not special to Shias, [because even] non-Shias consider the movement of Hussein ibn Ali (PBUH) as a big, huge, didactic, and model movement for [all] nations; [of course, this is special to] those people who know [this movement]; those who are not aware [of this movement and] uninformed ones are not counted here. One of the honors of our nation is that it is familiar with Seyyed ush-Shuhada [a nickname for Imam Hussein (PBUH)], is familiar with Karbala [where Imam Hussein (PBUH) was martyred], [and] is familiar with important issues that took place on the sidelines of the incident of Ashura or in the course of that incident.

These days are the days of Zeinab Korba (PBUH) [the sister of Imam Hussein (PBUH)] and Zeinab Kobra (PBUH) is the same person who kept the incident of Ashura alive, [and] prevented this incident from being eliminated and forgotten through political ruses of the ruling system of that day, or wear off in the course of history; [this] issue was kept alive by Zeinab Kobra (PBUH); therefore, [these days] are important days.

Our historical juncture is also an important historical juncture; the Iranian nation is establishing its dignity and is on its way to draw its large-scale map of progress toward ideals. Therefore, awareness of the youth is important, [and] having insight about the status quo is important, and this gathering is an opportunity to talk about these issues for a while.

Firstly, I must say that this [issue] is the basis for many of our discussions; fighting against the arrogance in the Islamic Revolution and among our nation is a move that is rational and logical and with scientific backing, and is [also] a prudent move, on the opposite of what some people want to insinuate that this is a move [based on] slogan, emotional, [and] not backed by logic and rationality, on the contrary, the movement of the Iranian nation is a movement relying on rationality. For the time being, we disregard the religion and the Quranic verse and what is inspired by religion; [for example,] for the time being, we put aside [such Quranic stipulations as] “[faithful people are] strong against the infidels” and “merciful among themselves,” and “fight against the leaders of infidelity,” because some people have no faith in such things or do not believe them; [therefore,] we rely on the experience of the Iranian nation.

An incident took place in our country in [the Iranian calendar year] 1332 [1953-54] – the incident [that took place] on the 28th [day] of [the Iranian calendar month] Mordad [August 19, 1953] – which is one of those incidents that strengthens the experiences of the Iranian nation [and] prevents it from making error and seeing [its goals] mistakenly. This incident led to a great experience for the Iranian nation, [and] this experience must never be forgotten. Yes, [more than] 60 years have passed since [the Iranian year 13]32. Firstly, during these [more than] 60 years, such incidents have been repeated. Secondly, when a historical incident teaches a lesson, the passage of time does not affect it and its lesson must be learned. The incident was that the government of [former Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad] Mosaddeq, which managed to get [Iran's] oil, [and] the source of the country’s national wealth, out of the clutches of Britons and out of the hands of Britons with the help of people who were [influential] – [including] the late Ayatollah Kashani and others – made a historic mistake and it was relying on Americans. In the face of the animosity of Britons, he thought that he must have a backer at international arena, [and] this backer at that time [and] in his view was America; [therefore,] he trusted Americans; [and] his hope was pinned on Americans. Americans took advantage of this optimism and simplicity [and] organized the [coup d’état] of Mordad 28th. An American agent with clear name and specifications, which have been completely recorded, and we know [him] – [and] his name is [recorded] in history – came here; he was American [but] went to the British embassy or to the embassy of a Western country, or perhaps it was Canada, and stayed there and distributed the money he had brought with him, [as a result of which] he recruited some people. There were also treacherous elements and agents inside [the country]; [by taking advantage of them] he launched the coup d’état of the 28th of Mordad and voided all the efforts that the Iranian nation had made during two [or] three years –in the period of the nationalization of the oil industry. 

They also arrested Mosaddeq, sent him to jail, [and] brought back Mohammad Reza Pahlavi [the former Iranian monarch] who had fled Iran, and made him king again; and for 25 years from 1332 (1953) to 1357 (1979), this nation was plagued with all kinds of humiliation, all kinds of pressures, [and] all kinds of hardships under the yoke of the imposed and dependent government of Pahlavi; Americans did [this]. Their military advisors occupied [all sensitive posts in] our army, [and] their economic agents promoted their own economic policies; in addition to all these – these were their apparent and evident measures – they  took covert measures, which so far, our analysts had unfortunately not have time to discuss these covert measures that were taken to destroy spiritual and human riches of the Iranian nation by Americans in Iran during these 25 years; they [analysts] have not been able [to discuss these measures] yet. These are issues, which need research and deserve follow-up. [Some] 25 years of suppression, pressure on the Iranian nation, wasting human resources of this country, plundering natural resources of this country, [and] defaming the Iranian nation among Muslim nations in the region, were among measures that Americans took in this period. How many people were killed, how many people were sent to jail, how many people were tortured, what treacherous policies were adopted inside the country against the Iranian nation, which all of these [measures were taken] as a result of the presence of Americans and presence of American’s proxy government in Iran and due to the trust, which that simple gentleman put in America at that time.

Well, nations are two types in the face of incidents; some nations feel the incident, the hardship, [and] the torment, but cannot come up with a correct analysis and roundup for themselves, so that this roundup would make them take reciprocal actions; some nations are like this. Nations that have efficient and worthy leaders, no, [they are not like this because] they tolerate hardships, but at the same time, they follow awareness and insights and solutions and strengthening of correct and logical ideas as well; the Iranian nation was among such [nations]. The Almighty God did a favor [to the Iranian nation and] bestowed the leadership of the revered Imam [Khomeini] on this nation as a great bounty. The revered Imam informed the nation, gave them insight, tolerated hardships himself, was sent to jail, was sent into exile, [but] did not relent. This awareness and insight gradually spread [through the nation] until a general movement came about among the Iranian nation in the [Iranian calendar] years, 1356 (1977-78) and 1357 (1978-79). The goal and target of the attack of this movement was not just the monarchical system, [but] was America as well. People understood  and knew that America was behind these crimes that were being committed against them and against the country from within; they understood this. Our revered Imam, in the [Iranian calendar] year 1342 (1963-64), at the beginning of the Islamic uprising, said, “The American president is today the most hated person in Iran.” he infused this concept into the public opinion; explained to people that whatever [plot that] existed was hatched by America; [and told the nation that] America is behind all acts of mischief. Well, this struggle [finally] bore fruit.

Wherever nations move, stand fast, show patience and resistance, the victory is certain; it is like this everywhere. The problem with struggles that end in failure is that either nations do not endure [in the face of difficulties] and do not stand fast, or they lack leaders that would be able to manage them correctly. We have seen in these recent years that everywhere nations have made a move, [and] have shown their resolve and determination, they have achieved results; [however,] leaders who would be able to manage them correctly, discern the goals correctly, [and] show the correct path to the people, have been lacking and [therefore, people’s moves] have failed. All of you have seen this in these past recent years; I don’t want to mention the name of any country and place.

The Iranian nation treaded the right path, [and] made the correct move; [on the other hand, presence of] a powerful, informed, [and] determined leader with trust in God, reliance on God, reliance on the divine promise that “if you assist God, He will assist you,” caused the nation to achieve victory and the imposed, dependent, and dark government of the Pahlavi family and the ominous and dishonored monarchial rule – which for any country a monarchial rule is cause of shame according to correct human logic – was eliminated in Iran and came to an end; [after that] people gained all the power.

The important point is here. The first government and administration which started to seriously oppose this movement of the [Iranian] people was America. [Of course,] there were other governments, some of them were also dissatisfied with the situation that existed in Iran, but they did not show a remarkable reaction. Some governments may have been happy [with changes in Iran], but the American government did not stop at heartfelt dissatisfaction; in the first months [after the victory] of the Islamic Revolution, America’s Senate passed a legislation and a strongly-worded resolution against the Islamic Republic of Iran, [and] started animosity [toward the Iranian nation] in a practical manner. This was at a time that the American embassy was still operating in Iran! Those people who think that having relations with America, [and] friendship with America will help one to be immune to America’s harm, [must] refer to this historic experience; the American embassy was still [active] in Iran, Americans easily came into the country, the revolution had not caused [Iranian people] to oust Americans from Iran; like other governments, they had an embassy [in Iran], [and had] agents who were living here; [but] at the same time, the American government showed its animosity to the revolution.

In addition, [the American government] received as guest [the former Iranian shah,] Mohammad Reza, who was a definite enemy of the Iranian nation, [and] took him to America and kept him there, [and] in fact, offered refuge to the enemy of the Iranian nation. Well, the reaction to this move, was the move made by [the Iranian university] students; they went and took over the American embassy, [after which] it transpired that it was a den of espionage, [and] it transpired that during these few months after the victory of the revolution, during this period, this place has been the center of conspiracy against the revolution; this was shown and proved by documents released later from the inside of the American embassy. Dear youths! Get the documents of the [American] spy den, [because] they are didactic. Students, who captured the embassy and recognized that this was a den of espionage, made great effort on these documents – which [American agents] had tried to shred them and annihilate them in shredders, they pasted them together, [and] retrieved them with great effort – and published them; [up to now] seventy, [or] eighty volumes of books [containing these documents] have been published. These [documents] show that Americans both at the height of the [Iranian nation’s] uprising, and when the uprising and revolution had become victorious and the Islamic Republic had been established, were constantly hatching plots against the Islamic Establishment; this is [the true face of] America. These are issues related to [what happened] after the revolution.

Before the revolution, during the huge popular movement – now regardless of the incidents [like what happened] on the 17th [day] of [the Iranian month of] Shahrivar [September 8, 1978] and the massacre of people [on that day] and such issues, which were done by America’s proxy regime – on the eighth [day] of [the Iranian month of] Bahman [February 28, 1979], that is, a few days before the arrival of Imam [Khomeini] in the country, on these very streets of Tehran, [and] on this Enqelab [Revolution] Street, people had rallied [in protest to regime]; General Huyser, who had been sent by America, came to Iran so that he would save the regime from the revolution and keep it [in place] one way or another. He has written in his memories – these are historic documents – and says, ‘I told General Qarebaqi that in the face of people [tell your soldiers] to lower the barrels of your guns’; that is, kill people, do not fire useless shots in the air, [but] massacre people. They did the same, lowered the barrels of their guns, and a group of youths and adolescents were killed, but the crowd did not retreat. Huyser says, ‘Qarebaqi then came to me and told me that this plan of yours has not worked, [and] people did not retreat’. Then Huyser says, ‘I saw how childish these generals of Shah were thinking’, meaning that they should have continued, [and] must have killed [people] incessantly. See, this was the proxy regime. An American general gives the order for the massacre of compatriots to an Iranian general and this [general] acts upon his order and his recommendation and since it is useless, goes to him and says it has been to no avail; and he [the American general] says these [Iranian generals] are childish, [and] they think like children. This was the end result and summary of the Pahlavi rule in Iran.

This is how Americans started [to deal] with us; this is how they started [to deal] with the [Iranian nation’s] revolution. Afterwards, they conspired [against us] as much as they could during this period [since the victory of the Islamic Revolution]. Any group that could have made a move against the revolution was supported by Americans: the famous coup attempt, known as the coup d’état of Martyr Nojeh [Air] Base of Hamedan was one of these cases; helping those who were moving against the revolution on ethnic grounds in some parts of the country was one of these cases; later on, encouraging [the former Iraqi dictator] Saddam Hussein to attack Iran and eight years of abetting Saddam Hussein was one of these cases. [They helped Saddam for] eight years! During the war, especially after the second and third years [of the war], Americans increased their assistance [to Saddam and] provided [him with all kinds of] facilities; both them and, unfortunately, their European allies [helped Saddam]. This is how Americans dealt with our revolution; they were determined to topple this establishment. Well, this was an error in analysis, [and] was an error in understanding [this] issue. They imagined that here is like that given African or Asian country where a coup d’état is staged, [and] they call it revolution, [and they] can do away with this. They didn’t know that here, firstly, [the revolution] depends on people – this revolution is a revolution by people – [and] secondly, it is reliant on religious beliefs; they did not understand these [facts]. Therefore, throughout these 36 years or 37 years, everything that Americans did against the revolution ended in failure; [and] God willing, they will fail after this as well. The purpose of what I say is that we, as the Iranian nation, as the people who love our country, [and] as the people who have delineated a future for ourselves and want to realize that future, [must] know America; this is the purpose [of my remarks].

One of the measures taken by Americans in these recent years is that they [seek to] force certain people to paint a rosy picture of America; to make them claim that [even] if Americans were once [our] enemy, they do not show animosity today; this is the goal. The goal is to keep the countenance of the enemy hidden from the Iranian nation, so that, they would neglect its animosity and it would be able to continue with its animosity and stab us in the back; this is the goal. Some people, of course, do this with purpose, [and] some people do this due to their simplicity. The reality of the issue is that the goals of America toward the Islamic Republic have not changed at all; [America’s goals] have not changed at all. [Even] today, if they could annihilate the Islamic Republic, they would not hesitate for a moment; the point is they can’t and, God willing, with the resolve of you young people, with progress of you young people, [and] with further expansion and deepening of the Iranian nation’s insight, they will not be able to do this in the future either. All their plans are aimed at this issue; of course, in the world of politics and in the world of negotiation, they talk in a different manner; they [even] show lenience in their words whenever it is necessary, but the inner side of the issue is this; this is the inner side of the issue. The Iranian nation must not forget this. During negotiations, they even shed tears and cry claiming that ‘we are against the war’. During these nuclear negotiations it was observed that an American agent said ‘I have been against war since I was young’, and cried. Well, some people may be simplistic enough to say that ‘[it is] strange, they have really become good guys’. [As put by the Iranian poet,] good tidings, the cat has mended his ways! However, the same person who hates war so intensely that even the remembrance of war makes him cry and shed tears in front of the camera, he is one of those people who [when] hundreds of children are torn to pieces in Gaza and Zionists, with total brutality and mercilessness, show no mercy to woman and child and infant and adult and old [people] and the youths, they don’t even frown!

If you abhor war to this extent, say a word to [or at least] frown at this ruthless, butcher, and evil element who is massacring people, [and even] children in this way; [however,] they don’t even frown, but encourage it as well! At the same time that these [Zionists] were conducting those attacks on Gaza and [even] today that they are massacring people in the West Bank and in Gaza in another way, Americans – their big bosses – frequently asserted that Israel has the right to defend itself. That is, the Palestinian nation does not have the right to defend [itself]; [Zionists can] destroy their farm, kill their youth, put their house on fire, burn a few-month-old infant in fire, burn his father and mother in fire, and the Palestinian people should not have the right to give any answer [to such measures]. Today, they are still encouraging, helping, [and] supporting the Zionist regime. For months, the people of Yemen have been under bombardment, their hospital is being destroyed, their house is being destroyed, their vital infrastructure is being destroyed, [and] human beings are being massacred by invading airplanes, [but] Americans do not utter a word, do not frown, [and even] support [the aggressor] as well! This is America; then should crying in front of the camera be considered as an honest act? Can anybody believe this?

The Iranian nation has found its way; the Iranian nation will never encroach on those nations and governments that leave it alone and do not encroach on it, [and] you observe this. There are governments – I am not talking about nations – that are not straightforward with the Islamic Republic, [and] we know this, [and] understand this [because] this is quite evident, but do not encroach on us, [and in return] we also leave them alone; we [even] have relations [with such governments], have trade, sit [with each other], [and] negotiate. However, a government that encroaches [on our rights], a government that is bent on taking advantage of any excuse for the annihilation of the Iranian nation, for the annihilation of the Islamic Republic, [and] for the annihilation of the Islamic ideals, the Iranian nation cannot forgive it; [the Iranian nation] neither has rational right, nor religious right, nor conscience-based right, nor humane right [to do this and it] has no right to sit in front of such an enemy and look at it as a friend, [or] to extend friendship hand toward it; this is not possible! Americans are [like this]. With all their power, [and] with all their strength, they are bent on preventing the Islamic Republic  from continuing on this path on which it is moving; they have various methods [to do this]; [for example,] they use propaganda, [and] are also totally active today.

As I said before, their first mistake in early [days after victory of the] revolution was that they could not understand why this people make such sacrifices at the arena; by and by they have now understood this, [and] understood that these are people’s beliefs, these are youths’ beliefs, these are their convictions, [and] this is the lesson that religion and the Quran have taught them. Therefore, they have aimed at these [issues]; today, they are targeting [Iranian people’s] convictions and beliefs in various ways and using various and new means, which did not exist at that time; young people must know this. The youths must firstly, read history of the struggles of the Iranian nation more, and know it more; and those people who have the power of expression, [and] who are able to talk, explain to our youths today what happened to the Iranian nation during the period of struggles [against the former regime], who stood against the Iranian nation, who created [Shah’s secret police] Savak, who taught torture methods to Savak agents, [and] under whose supervision faithful and interested elements were tortured in the country; our youths must become aware and know these [facts].

Fortunately, the Iranian nation has awakened, [and] thank God, the Iranian nation is awake, the university is awake, [and] the [university] student is awake; yes, great effort is made [by enemies] to reverse the situation, but they could not and will not [be able to do this]. The [university] student is awake; our schoolchildren are also like that. These amusements and these pretenses cannot change the core of the Iranian nation’s conviction; the Iranian people know what they are doing and where they are heading. There was a time when our university served as a bridge toward the West [with people believing that] “let’s go to the university so that we can later embrace the West;” or [it was the dominant idea] that the talented one, whose presence was useful, [should] go and be assimilated by them, [and] work for them, and some [of them] turn into agents or become preoccupied with pleasures of life in here. Today, university is not like this. Today, university is like a ladder [which goes up] toward lofty ideals; [but] a group wants to do away with this ladder and once again establish the same [old] bridge toward the West, [and in doing so] get our university reverted to its previous state. [Therefore,] our youths must be awake and, thank God, are awake.

Through the blessing of recourse to Islam, through the blessing of relying on people, [and] through the blessing of the insight and awareness that our people, thank God, have, the Islamic Republic is not only stable and has withstood [in the face of the enemy], but has also progressed; we have progressed. In this very issue of nuclear negotiations, it was the progress of the Iranian nation that forced bullying powers to come [and] join hands, all of them sit before [the representatives of] the Iranian nation, [and] employ those hostile ploys against the Iranian nation, [in the hope that] they may [be able to] hamstring the Iranian nation; this is the power of the Iranian nation.

My emphasis on hostility of foreign enemies does not mean ignoring our own internal weaknesses. I must say this to you, my dear youths; we have weaknesses within ourselves; the enemy has exploited our weaknesses in many cases; we must do away with these weaknesses. We have weakness in policymaking; have weakness in implementation [of policies], have weakness in [making] effort, are sometimes plagued with laziness and become slow in our moves; we have weakness in [recognizing] priorities of the country. Sometimes, some groups inside the country that belong to us clash over a trivial matter, [and clash] over an issue which is not necessary [and] is not imperative; [and in doing so] we ignore the enemy; these are among our weaknesses; these weaknesses must be done away with. However, the existence of the enemy – an enemy that is aware, an enemy that spends money, and an enemy that would not refrain from any crime if it could [commit it] – is something that must not be neglected.

Some people, using these trivial domestic matters as excuse, forget about the foreign enemy, [and especially] forget about the United States. [The fact] that Imam [Khomeini] frequently repeated that ‘target all your cries at America’, was for the purpose that you may less shout at each other. I don’t say that don’t criticize; no, after all, the society is a free society, thinking is free, the right to criticize exists, [and] criticism leads to progress, but [we must be careful] not to mistake the main enemy with second-degree enemies or with friends with whom we have difference in viewpoint and who are not even an enemy; the main enemy is somewhere else. The main enemy is the same enemy that uses all its power in order to strip the Iranian nation of its huge achievement; this achievement is presence of the nation [in all arenas], national sovereignty, [and] the influence of Quranic and Islamic ideas among people; this is that great achievement which helps us achieve progress; we have made great progress up to the present day,[and] this very [achievement] will help us attain our ideals after this. They want to take this away from people; they want to establish a tyrant government, a proxy government, a government infatuated with the West and obedient to the West, and awestruck by the West. This is their [ultimate] goal. We must not forget this and we must [constantly] monitor this enemy.

My recommendation to the youths is that student youths and pupils [at schools] must first of all pursue their studies diligently. Science is a means of [gaining] power; one of the most important components of national power is science; pursue science; give precedence to general goals over personal demands. [The youths must] increase their insight about the existing conditions, [and] about contemporary past history on a daily basis and be able to see the present scene of the world.

Today, the big picture of the world is like this: arrogant powers are on one side with the same material capacities that they have, with the fear that they strike [at the heart of other nations], [and] with the outward appearance that show of themselves and keep others in awe of their appearance; these [powers] are on one side; there are also some weak governments that have not the courage to come out and rise; [and] somewhere between these [two sides] there is a place which is vociferously condemning this situation and it is the Islamic Republic.

Today, the Islamic Republic of Iran is crying out against oppression, against hegemony, [and] against exploitation and arrogance with a loud voice, without any apprehension, [and] without being afraid of the enemy’s threat and be awestruck by the enemy, and [other] nations are hearing this [loud cry] and are impressed by it. Let me tell you this: nations are impressed by the movement of the Iranian nation and this is evident in the world; it is especially evident in the Islamic world; [other nations] show such [a great] veneration  and respect for the Iranian nation, for dignitaries of the revolution, [and] for the person of the revered Imam [Khomeini] that they show [that respect] for nobody else. This is because this loud voice reaches their ears; don’t lose this loud voice. And know that this slogan of yours, your “Death to America,” this cry of the Iranian nation, this has a logical and strong support and backing; it has rational support. It is also evident that the purpose of [saying] “Death to America,” is not death to American nation, [because] American nation is like other nations; [this slogan] means death to America’s policies, [and] death to arrogance; this is its meaning. This [slogan] has rational support; our Constitution expresses this, our principled and profound and logical thoughts express this and if we explain this to any nation, they would like it and accept it and admit it.

Thank God, the Islamic Republic has opened its way and is moving forward. I have no doubt that you dear youths will see days when many of these lofty ideals that the Islamic Republic has delineated in your country will be realized in your life. I have no doubt that future is like this and you will be able to, God willing, build your country and will be able to inspire other nations and will be able with divine assistance to overcome these fearful giants that scare nations, and, God willing, [will be able to] free nations from the shadow of fear and terror cast by them. You, young people, will certainly see this with divine assistance, provided that you continue on this path, [and] provided that you move with faith and with hope and do not lose insight, [never lose] insight, and in all various issues of the country – which now we have many issues in the country which I will discuss later – take the main criteria and norms into account because this will help you to, God willing, tread the right path.

I ask the Almighty God to resurrect our beloved martyrs with the Prophet [of Islam (PBUH)]; to resurrect our revered Imam [Khomeini] with His Chosen Ones; and to move our dear youths, God willing, toward lofty goals in a more successful and more achieving manner day after day.

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