TEHRAN (Dispatches) – Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Khamenei on Wednesday said the Iranian nation’s resistance has been the key to thwarting different enemy plots against the country over the past decades.
"The enemies--whether the United States or greater than the United States--cannot do a single thing against an establishment that is linked to its people, an establishment that has admiration for its people and the people admire it back,” the Leader said in a meeting with army commanders and staff members here.
Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to the upcoming presidential and city council elections, stating that everyone should appreciate the elections.
"We should commemorate the elections: The elections should be healthy, safe, lucid and massive," the Leader said.
"If this is achieved—which God willing it will happen by His grace, despite how the enemies and the mainstream media tries to spoil the results of the elections, in some way or another— if the Iranian nation continues to take part in the elections with vigilance and awareness, as they always have, then a massive, lucid election, coupled with enthusiasm and eagerness, as well as health and safety will be held, and this will be a significant resource for the country which will safeguard it," the Leader added.
Ayatollah Khamenei said he had highlighted economic slogans over the past two-three years, because he felt the enemy sought to undermine Iran by targeting its economy.
"When we have economic problems, various sectors of the establishment will not be able to carry out their tasks properly; hence, we need to see what the top priorities are in order to address them adequately, one at a time, when it comes to the officials’ set of duties."
The Leader further said, "Today the economic capacity of the country is a crucial, key issue, and it is the first priority; thus, I emphasize on it. I place stress on the people’s living conditions; I put stress on the living conditions of the employees of various sectors; and the living conditions of the staff belonging to the armed forces: These issues should seriously be followed up. This is a duty of the officials."
Ayatollah Khamenei made the point that if the officials look at the enemy’s motives, they may gain motivation to work harder.
"When we hear what the enemies say and examine their words we realize that they stress on the same points, so that they can use weaknesses and flaws to sabotage others and exert harm.
"The invasive superpowers’ technique is to threaten and bully. We have reiterated this fact several times. The invasive powers want to interfere everywhere. They overestimate themselves, they threaten and frown upon others. Remember the aggressiveness that previous U.S. administrations would pose? And now, too, they do the same, but in a different manner.”
Ayatollah Khamenei said the worst situation for a country is when its officials fear the enemy’s threats and bullying techniques.
"If they fear them, they have actually opened up a way for the enemy’s invasion and aggression. Tasks should be done with wisdom, logic and prudence—there is no doubt about that—but they should also be done courageously. Fearing or worrying, or becoming affected by the threats, frowns, and mistreatment that arises from the world's superpowers, is just the beginning of (a country's) misery.
"If there is an official who fears the superpowers in his heart, then it is up to him, but he has no right to talk on behalf of the people and say our people are fearful. The nation is standing. Had the nation not stood firm, since 1979 to this day, there would be no trace of Iran or Iranian left," he asserted.