TEHRAN – Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei stressed on Thursday that Iran will not give up elements of “national strength”, such as nuclear progress and regional influence.
“Regional presence gives us strategic depth and more national strength. Why should we give it up?” Ayatollah Khamenei said.
“Nuclear scientific progress is also related to meeting the needs of the country in the near future, and if we give it up, from whom and where we should ask for that in a few years?”
Reducing defensive capabilities in compliance with what the “enemy” wants is “naive and amateurish”, the Leader said. “Over time, these weak and flawed proposals have been made and all were revocable and they were revoked, and if those who wanted to cut off some arms of national strength were allowed to do so, Iran would be in great danger today.”
The Leader stated that strengthening the Islamic Republic brings national power and strength.
“National strength is vital for every country. If any nation wishes to achieve independence and greatness, the ability to use its own vital resources at its own volition and resistance in the face of others’ demands, it should be strong. Otherwise, if it is weak, humiliated and intimidated, it will always have to worry about the transgressions of foreigner powers.”
Ayatollah Khamenei described national strength as being an intertwined combination of different pillars.
“Science and technology, thinking, reflection and free thought are some of the pillars of national strength. If there is no free thought and intellectual progress, science and technology will not be able to open the way.”
The Leader referred to “a strong security and defense,” “the economy, the public well-being and the economic welfare of the people,” “diplomatic strength and bargaining power for ensuring national interests at a regional and global level,” “culture and lifestyle,” and “an appealing logic that influences other nations” as being other branches of national strength.
“Attracting nations brings strategic depth for any country, and this is very important.”
He added, “None of these branches of national strength should be eliminated in favor of other pillars and branches.”
Citing examples in this regard, Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that proposals such as abandoning regional involvement in order to avoid giving the enemy an excuse and stopping scientific progress in the nuclear sciences are actually blows to national strength.
“Regional involvement gives us strategic depth and more national strength. Why should we stop this approach? Progress in the nuclear sciences too is related to meeting the needs of the country in the near future. If we abandon these, toward whom should we stretch out our hand in a few years?”
The Leader stated that giving in to the U.S. or any other power in order to protect against their sanctions is a grave mistake and a blow to our political strength, “There is no idea more naive and simple-minded than the proposal to decrease

our defensive strength so that the enemy won’t become sensitive.”
In this regard, he stressed, “Over the years, some of these feeble, unfounded proposals have been put forward, all of which were unfitting and indeed they were rejected. If the people who had wanted to cut some of the arms of national strength had been given permission to go ahead, Iran would be facing grave dangers today. However, by God’s favor and grace, the possibility of implementing those proposals was never explored.”
Expanding on the pillars of national strength, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said, “The issues that are directly related to the masses of the people – national unity, the nation’s trust and hope, the preservation of the nation’s faith, the issue of the people’s livelihood and the facilitation of social issues related to the people – are very important in increasing national strength.”
Ayatollah Khamenei said the resolution of these matters will lead to the maximum involvement of the people.
“Of course, the people have always been involved despite various problems. But if these needs are met, the nation will unanimously be involved and there will be no worries or fears for the country thereafter.”
Ayatollah Khamenei explained that the efforts of evil powers in the world to mislead the people is due to the nation’s exemplary involvement.
“With their media, these devils are constantly promoting lies and making groundless statements in order to discourage and bring despair to the people by undermining their faith and national self-confidence.”
He stated that deceiving prominent personalities, with the ultimate goal of deceiving the whole nation, is at the top of the agenda of the enemies.
“With the most intense soft war waged against the Iranian nation in history, the arrogant powers in the world are trying to deceive those who have a special status, abilities or knowledge with the aim that these individuals will then deceive the masses of the people so that they will not realize the truth and reality.”
The Leader stated that the enemies train mercenaries, promote taking money in forbidden ways and use threats and lures to deceive individuals.
“Of course, this intense soft war shows that the infrastructures and resources of the camp of truth have become stronger, as a result of which, challenging the camp of truth has become difficult. This has led the enemy to wage a soft war to corrupt the thinking of the people.”