Leader: Iran won’t negotiate with the US for 5 valid reasons

Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, on Thursday August 16 granted audience to a large multi-thousand gathering of people from various walks of life, including the country’s senior civilian and military officials.

The Leader told them that if not for economic mismanagement, coupled with cases of huge embezzlement, the latest US sanctions, which are actually nothing compared to Washington’s past record of lawlessness and bullying would not have affected the Islamic Republic of Iran, which on no account will hold negotiations with the untrustworthy Americans.

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution took note of the sacred month of Zil-Hijjah in which the annual Hajj pilgrimage is held in Mecca, and a week after the Eid al-Adha of the significance of the 18^th of this month, which is the Grand feast of Eid al-Ghadeer, the day on which God perfected Islam after ordering Prophet Mohammad (blessings of God upon him and his progeny) to proclaim Imam Ali ibn Abi Taleb (AS) as his vicegerent.

He said, when we believe in God's grace and blessings, its first result is that we feel powerful and strong, which means weakness, despondency and negative feelings do not exist. Another feeling that will come to you from complete trust in God and His infinite power is hope and perpetual blessings and such developments make the nation invincible.

He said: “Today, I would like to speak about three subjects. One is about the economy and livelihood of the people, which is a current preoccupation for many people. I would like to make a few remarks regarding this matter. Another subject is on the United States: the US and its wickedness or what ensues. Today, they have brought about a new discourse, and we will briefly talk about this. Another subject is the political and general unity between the people and the officials, and the synergies. All around the country, the people and the officials must try and create synergy and be complementary.

“The first subject is the economic situation: livelihood problems are felt by people from all walks of life today. A group of the people is truly under extreme pressure. The inflammation rate in food: like meat, eggs, chicken, etc., other household goods, housing rents, furniture, and all other products, put pressure on the people. We are facing major economic problems, including the reduction in the value of our national currency.

“Economic experts and many officials agree that today's livelihood problems do not emerge from foreign sanctions; rather, they are tracked down to our internal issues. Many officials have explicitly mentioned this. The experts also--as far as I know--agree on ‘internal factors’ as the source for the crisis. The sanctions may have played a role in creating the current economic situation, but domestic factors are stronger role players on the matter. If actions are taken more efficiently, more prudently, more swiftly and more firmly, sanctions cannot have much of an effect, and they can be resisted. The problem mainly arises from within the country. For instance, with the problem of gold coins and foreign currency that unfolded during the last couple of months, large sums of money--it was said that $18 billion of our foreign currencies reserves, which is a big sum for our country because of the problems we have for providing foreign currencies; we cannot even easily transfer our own currency from outside country to inside--due to negligence and mismanagement, was given to some people who didn’t use it properly.

“I won't call it betrayal: I would not easily call some people betrayers; but, it is a big mistake, and it affected the people. When the rate of foreign currencies rises in such a way that Iranian Rial falls against them, it is the daily-paid laborer or poorly-paid employee who is left with nothing to subsist. When the value of Iranian Rial falls, the value of our national currency is reduced; we face problems. So the main source of the current economic problems can be traced to internal mismanagement and actions.”

Ayatollah Khamenei said: “The enemy takes advantage of this shortcoming. The enemy ambushes where it can. We are a nation stalked by cruel and vile enemies, due to several reasons. They insinuate that the Islamic Republic has failed. They instigate despondency, and they mislead the public. The enemy is indulging in propaganda against us. Constant propagation starts against the Islamic system, Islam, the Islamic Republic, and all the sectors of the country, because of a mistake this person or that person has made. The enemies want to make the public believe that the country has reached a dead-end.

“Here is my word: there is no dead-end in this country. There is no dead-end when it comes to the economic matters. It's not true that we are left without solutions: No! The country's problems, economic problems are known and so are the solutions. The officials must act effectively with strong determination, as they have already begun. I frequently receive suggestions, letters, and messages from devout, revolutionary, enthusiastic, innovative youth, I transfer them to executive sections to make use of them.

“As suggested by independent economic experts, analysts and intellectuals, solutions do exist. We are not short of a qualified, serious, motivated, and a capable working force. Thanks God, we have a rich country, with regard to human power. These people need to be put to use. We will advance, by God’s permission.

“As I mentioned during the Eid al-Fitr Prayer sermons a couple of months ago, great liquidity has been brought about in the country, which is also due to mistakes. This is one of those defective policies that has resulted in increased liquidity and created many problems. I suggested: if the country’s officials gather and think more on ways to lead liquidity towards a productive economy, either in the industry or in agriculture, housing or other areas, liquidity which is a threat today will become an opportunity later; even if half of the liquidity can be led, it will help. Now, I assert, addressing government officials, they must use the help of smart, talented, and aware individuals to find solutions to leading this huge amount of liquidity toward production: this is possible. This is the duty of the government and economic officials, they must do this. This was the second point I wanted to stress.”

Ayatollah Khamenei said: “Another point is that those who analyze economic issues and sometimes prepare reports and transfer the same analysis to senior officials of the country, say: "The reason behind problems that have come about in the market and the business environment is that because the sanctions were supposed to be enforced in mid-August or November the economic actors prepared themselves." Well, if "economic actors," who predicted the sanctions, "prepared themselves" government officials should have been even more prepared for the upcoming sanctions. I said the impact of sanctions is not so great. Some say the impact of sanctions is thirty percent, some say twenty percent; I do not mention numbers, but I know its effect is less [compared to other factors]. If the sanctions are really effective, well, you knew we were going to be sanctioned, you should have been prepared. You have to get prepared, even now, it's not too late. If someone says it's too late, if someone says it is not possible, he speaks nonsense. He is either ignorant or talks without reasoning. No, it's not too late. Still, now, the officials can decide and act against the enemy's hostile measures through necessary steps. If someone declares that nothing can be done, it is too late and declares a dead end, this is either ignorance or treacherous remarks (I do not want to call anyone a betrayer).

“One other important subject is the issue of corruption. One action which must surely be taken is opposing corruption. The Head of Judiciary’s recent letter to me, regarding the punishment of convicts of economic corruption, which I answered and emphasized, is a major step in combating economic corruption and [punishing] committers of economic corruption. The culprits of economic corruption are to be punished. Why do we publicly announce it and emphasize it? Because based on experience, when corruption and convicts of corruption are opposed, some may start to protest. Some ten years ago, I wrote a letter to the heads of the three branches of power, indicating that corruption is like a seven-headed Dragon: if you cut one head, it has several other heads that emerge. Corruption needs to be totally obliterated. We announce it publicly to let all the people know that economic convicts are going to be seriously confronted, with no compromise.

Here, there is an extremely important matter regarding corruption. The entire Iranian nation should pay attention to this point. I have always been combating corruption and convicts of corruption, and I still hold to my beliefs. But some go too far in their remarks when they talk of corruption, be careful of that! They attribute corruption to the entire system and all the managers: this is not wise. A small number commit corruption. It is true that even a little corruption is too much, and it must be combated.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution continued: “In conclusion, concerning economic matters, economic problems exist in our country which is known: their solutions are also known, both structural and short-term solutions. The government must use a motivated and talented workforce--in high-level management positions, not only in executive positions but in ministries and senior managerial levels and shut down any path leading to corruption. It is true that the Judiciary Branch is responsible for punishing the convicts; but, in the Executive Branch, it is possible to block corruption or potential ways that could lead to corruption.

“As for foreign currency and gold coins, if supervision, attention, and prosecution had existed, corruption would have been blocked. Sadly, the way to corruption was left open and corruption occurred. The doors and paths to corruption must be blocked.

“People should also act insightfully in face of the provocations of the enemy. Our people have shown their insightful behavior, thanks God. The people should know that the enemy is trying to take advantage of any weakness they see in us. The enemies will do their best to make a weakness weaker: they want to take advantage. The people should continue to behave insightfully in this regard, as they did in the past.

“And the media--whether the television, the press, or websites--should not cause disappointment among the people; they should not talk in a manner to disappoint people of Islam; it is okay if they want to criticize; I am not against logical criticism. But they should not stir up feelings of hopelessness in the people. Sometimes, in a newspaper, in a television program, or in a radio program, things are presented in a way that the audience might say “It's like all the doors are closed.” Well, that's not the case: the doors are not closed. Why do they think so? Know this; surely the people of Iran, the Islamic Revolution, and the Islamic Republic of Iran successfully passed through some tough stages, previously; and it will easily pass through these stages, which are much easier.

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said: “The US has become more blatant and turbulent in its rhetoric over the past few months. Previously also, it was not so observant of diplomatic norms, political etiquette, or common international manners; however, it has become stormier and more blatant compared to the past; not only towards us but also towards all nations and in all matters. It is as if shame has left the US officials; they say things, take actions, adopt stances that makes one wonder what kind of creatures they are! Are they even humans?

“For example, you saw last week the Saudis committed two crimes against the Yemenis, within only one week: at the beginning of the week, they attacked a hospital, killing the patients in the hospital with bombs and missiles; at the end of the week, they attacked a school bus with dozens of innocent 8 and 9-year-old children on board. Do you have 8 or 9-year-olds at home? This is a great tragedy. It truly breaks one’s heart. The Saudis carried out this horrific crime that shook the world.

“The horrific news shook the global conscience. Other states issued a message, even if not sincere, they expressed their condolences. The entire world reacted in its own way. But, how did the US react? Instead of condemning an obvious crime, the US spokesperson stated: “We have strategic relations with Saudi Arabia.”

“Is this not [a sign of] shamelessness? The US acts in the same manner towards all. Their actions reveal their shamelessness; for example, look at what the US president did to thousands of children by separating them from their parents, under the pretext they were "immigrants." Then, they failed to look after the children, and they put them in cages. You see they separate children from their mothers; then, in order to watch over them, they put the children in cages. --This is an unprecedented crime throughout humankind's history! The US commits such crimes; it doesn’t feel ashamed at all. Truly, the US’ rhetoric, actions, have become more blatant and shameless recently.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution pointed out: “The US also talks about the Islamic Republic of Iran, with the same blatant and shameless rhetoric. What do they say? Beside sanctions, they talk about two things: war and negotiations. Of course, they do not openly talk about war, but they intend to imply—by hints, sarcasm, and the like—that there might be a war. They present a big myth of war that would scare the Iranian nation or scare cowards. We also have a number of cowards: they want to scare them. So on the one hand, they create this big myth of war; on the other hand, they mention negotiations, saying they are ready to negotiate with Iran.

On the matter of negotiations, they play a poor game. One of them says, "Negotiations with preconditions," another one says, "negotiations without preconditions." --This is a poor political game, not even worthy of dealing with. Let me address the people on each of these matters in a few words, but before that, I will concisely refer to two facts for the Iranian nation: there will be no war; nor will we negotiate with the US. This is the gist of the word that all the Iranian people should know. There is strong evidence behind it: this is not a mere claim, not a wish, or a slogan; rather, it is based on reasoning.

“No war will happen. Why? Because in a war there are two parties: one party being us and the other the US, just as we have never previously been, we will never be the initiator of a war. The Islamic Republic is proud that it has never initiated a war. Though we have had wars; the initiator has always been the opponent. If the opponent initiates a war, we will act with strength; but we will not initiate a war. This is the case for our part. The US won't launch a war because it knows it would end to its detriment: because the Islamic Republic and the Iranian nation have proven that any invasion would be responded to by a greater blow. This has been the case so far.

“The US attacked us once. You remember Operation Eagle Claw in the Tabas Desert in 1980. (Miraculously, by Divine Grace), it found itself trapped in a debacle and had to fly back home! It is true that there are many things the US officials do not understand, but I think they're not so [silly] not to understand this. There won't be a war; certainly won't.

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said: “Concerning the matter of negotiations, the US president claimed he was ready to negotiate with us. Also, a group of people here—I do not know how to refer to this group—said: “Wow! The US has suggested negotiations with us.” The US has now offered to carry out negotiations: this is nothing new.

“Over the past forty years, they have sought out negotiations with Iran. Ronald Reagan, the powerful US president-- the US of that time was very different from today; Reagan was more powerful than the current president and politicians in the US-- even secretly sent an agent to Tehran (the Robert McFarlane affair). An agent was sent at the time of Imam [Khomeini], but he went back home empty-handed. This is not the first time they are asking! They have always asked for it, but we rejected them, we didn’t accept. Now, I will tell you why we did not accept. We never accepted, and we will not accept it now. The Americans have always wanted to negotiate with us. Now, why don't we negotiate? The reason is this: the Americans have a formula for their negotiations that I am going to explain to you. Then, you decide if a wise person would negotiate with such a formula.

“Firstly, negotiations is not a gathering for mere greetings and speaking. Negotiating means making a deal: it means the two parties sit for taking something and offering in return. This is how a real political negotiation is. Because the Americans rely on military might, money, and media power when they want to negotiate with a party, they determine their main goals before starting the negotiation. They might openly express some of their goals, but not all. During the negotiations, they constantly change their words, they add new things, they bargain; however, key goals are predetermined for them.

“Secondly they won’t retreat even a step from these goals. At times they might mention some unimportant, marginal goals and they withdraw from them to pretend as if they would retreat. But by no means retreat from their main goals: they offer no concession.

“Thirdly, they demand that the other party offer immediate concession: they don’t accept promises; they say they don’t trust anyone; just as we experienced during the JCPOA negotiations or in other cases. Now that they are negotiating with North Korea, the same is true: they demand immediate concessions. If the other party refuses to give in, they stir up a fuss around the world--via propaganda and media--saying the other party refuses to negotiate. They make such a vast propagation, that the other party usually surrenders. As a result, the other party becomes passive, in face of all the propaganda.

“Fourthly, the US itself does not give anything in exchange for what it takes from the other party. In any business deal, you pay and you receive. But the US does not give anything, it takes the immediate advantage like cash, and in exchange, it only gives vague promises. It makes strong promises by words like “without a doubt; no hesitation; or be sure of it.” The US only makes such promises in order to enchant the other party with mere pledges. The other party believes the promises as they use such strong language.

“In the final stage, after receiving all immediate concessions, the US breaches its own promises, ignoring its own strongly verbalized promises.”

The Leader continued: “This is the US method of negotiating. Now should we negotiate with such a sham regime? Why should we negotiate? The JCPOA was a clear example. This is while I was very strict about it—yet, the red lines were not respected. Still, the other party acted in such a manner. So, it is impossible to negotiate with the US.

“On various issues, any government that negotiates with this regime, it [the US] makes problems for them. Unless they have common grounds, like Britain. Although, the US government even coerces the United Kingdom; the Americans even coerce the Europeans, but because they have some common grounds: they manage to interact and work together. It is always the case when the US negotiates with another party. The Islamic Republic can negotiate with the US only when it reaches a favorable level of power and sovereignty that would nullify US' pressures and domineering efforts: when their efforts have no effect on Iran due to our power. Today, this is not the case for Iran. If we negotiate, this will surely be detrimental for us; therefore, negotiating with the United States was banned by Imam [Khomeini]; for the same reason, I also ban it. Imam Khomeini had said: “We will not negotiate until the Americans act appropriately.” What does it mean? It means we hold to our position as long as the US supports the Zionist entity and the viscous forces in the region.

“Now, if the government of the Islamic Republic was to negotiate with the US regime, at any time, it would never have negotiated with the present US administration. Everyone should know--our politicians, our diplomats, our motivated young people, our students in political sciences as well as political activists--they should all know that negotiating with a bullying regime such as the United States is not a means to eliminate hostility.

“Negotiating is not a means to end US hostility. It is a tool in its hands to create hostility. You see, this is a definitive formula confirmed through our experiences and emphasized by various political considerations. Some say negotiating will reduce hostility; no, it does not reduce hostility, negotiating gives the enemy the means to increase its hostile manner. So, we do not negotiate, and it is forbidden--everybody needs to understand this.”

Ayatollah Khamenei said: “Today, the US has focused on waging an economic war against us. There is no military war, and there will not be one. But there is an economic war happening. Their focus is on the economic war now. Why? Because they have lost hope in military war. They even have no hope left when it comes to a cultural war. Look. During the 90's, the second decade after our revolution, a wicked cultural plot started against our country. It was an intricate plot. Now, look: those born in the 90's are going to defend and sacrifice their life for the holy shrines [in Syria]. Who would have guessed this? At the same time with that vast cultural assault, flowers blossomed in the garden of the Islamic Republic and these trees grew. The likes of Martyr Hojaji were created. So, we were the victorious side in the culture war and our enemies lost.

“Another cultural war started in the 90's and early 2000's, to cause the glories of the holy defense [with Iraq] to be forgotten. The Islamic Republic was innovative with soft technology: the major movement of ‘The Journey towards Light’, which symbolizes technology, a technology of soft power. Millions of youth went to the former frontlines; to that center of knowledge and holiness; to that source of self-sacrifice. There, they saw what the situation had been and what had happened. It was explained to them, and they were made aware of the story of the holy defense. Yes, this is the Islamic Republic. It breeds defenders of the holy shrines. It starts the movement of the Journey towards Light. It created those attending the mosques for E’tekaf, who are mostly young, as a prominent symbol of modesty and purity. These didn't exist before. So, we were victorious in the cultural war against the enemy. And we were victorious in the military war as well.

“We also won in the political-security war. The enemies’ political-security war occurred during the 2009 events. They worked many years towards those events; such events cannot be created in an hour or a day: they had worked on it for several years. The people of Iran and the Islamic Republic overcame and nullified the enemy's conspiracy.

“Now the enemy has focused on the economic front, after being defeated on the cultural front, on the security front, on the political front, and on the military front. I reassure you that the enemy will again be defeated by God’s Grace, on the economic front.

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution pointed out: “The enemies talk to the Iranian nation through treachery and deception. You may view a deranged person on TV addressing the Iranian nation, saying "Your government is spending your money in Syria and Iraq.”

“Such persons are totally ignorant. These incompetent people are those whose boss [Donald Trump] said: We spent seven trillion dollars in the region, i.e. in Syria and Iraq, and we didn’t gain anything. They are right, they spent seven thousand billion dollars there and they haven’t gained anything. The Islamic Republic has not done anything comparable! The governments of Syria and Iraq are our friends. They were threatened by the US and Saudi Arabia, but we helped them. We will also help them in the future: we will help any government that is our friend. It is not a matter of giving money or the like, [but] it represents normal exchanges between states when they take, give, buy, and sell.

“Well, in the economic war, the US goal is to create dissatisfaction in the hope of turning it into internal turmoil. I'll tell you a bit of news, not an analysis, but actual news. You remember the events of last January when for a few days some people chanted seditious slogans. The US regime had worked with the Zionists, along with the Saudis, for three to four years to create these events. God only knows how much they spent! They had worked for three to four years to gather thousands of people in a few days, from a few cities in the country to chant their slurs. Then, the Iranian masses acted, without being asked to. Indeed, the people moved. They did it on their own to defeat the rebels. The Iranian nation nullified years of the enemy’s endeavors at creating this event – within a few days! Then they [the enemies] realized the shortcomings of their plot; they decided to repeat it this year, in 2018, after fixing the shortcomings. The US president said: “Within six months, you will hear important news from Iran.” Six months was in fact the month of August: the recent events in August, that's when some gathered to chant slurs against the nation. They [the enemies] are overspending; they are making efforts to create incidents. The Iranian people are aware; the nation is insightful. It is true that livelihood problems put pressure on the people; however, the Iranian people will never accept a conspiracy! The enemy is weak; the enemy is incapable. Surely, in the future, the enemy will be defeated at all times, provided that you and I are awake, provided that you and I act in accordance with our obligations, provided that you are not disappointed. I am sure that, God willing, the powerful hand of God is supporting this nation. I hope that God Almighty blesses you all with success.

AS/ME