Leader: Islamic Iran continues to defeat the US

Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, on Nov 3, on the eve of the historic 13th of Aban, the National Day of Campaign against Global Arrogance which marks the 39th anniversary of the capture by Iranian revolutionary students of the US spy den into which the American embassy in Tehran had turned, granted audience to a large group of university and high school students.

He remarked that the US in its confrontation with Iran over the past forty years has continued to suffer defeat after defeat, as is clear by the events since 1979. He was confident the Islamic Republic will always be the victor in all future confrontations, including the recent illegal sanctions imposed by Washington on buyers of Iranian oil and international banks doing transactions with Tehran.

The Leader, at the start of his speech referred to the grand Arba’een ceremonies held again this year on the anniversary of the traditional 40^th day of the epic of Ashura, the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Husain (AS). He congratulated those who managed to make this pilgrimage to holy Karbala as blessed persons, and thanked the people and government of Iraq for hosting the visitors and facilitating the orderly holding of this important event for people from all over the world who paid homage at the shrine of the grandson of Prophet Mohammad (blessings of God upon him and his progeny).

He said: “The phenomenon of Arba’een is indescribable and unprecedented. This is indeed an extraordinary and astonishing movement. As has been mentioned frequently these days, it has no peers anywhere in the world. Westerners cannot understand what this movement means. They seem unable to digest it. That is the reason, initially they maintained silence for several years. They hatched the plot in silence, while it is their habit to focus on every small event in the world. For several year they did not mention this great popular movement. This year, however, they briefly mentioned it, but as usual their analyses, including those of the English and other media outlets, were hostile and wrong, if not ridiculous.

“This shows that the gushing forth of this blessed spring has made them extremely agitated and therefore, they cannot properly analyze it. They would sometimes say it has been launched by governmental organizations; but which government can make 10, 15 million people – men, women, the elderly, youth and people of various social backgrounds – walk 80 kilometers from one city to another? Even if we assume the impossible – that the governments of the Islamic Republic and that of Iraq have managed to accomplish this task – this is a miracle in itself. If you can, then do it.

“No factor or element can accomplish this, except faith, devotion and belief in the blood of honoured martyrs. A great feat has been accomplished. And it will continue to become better, stronger and more established. It is improving every year and God Willing this will continue. Westerners have no choice but to watch and fail to present a proper analysis. They do not understand it and receive a blow from this movement.

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution referring to the historic 13th of Aban or November 4, reminded the gathering that three important incidents took place on this day, all of which are somehow related to the US. The first incident was the Pahlavi regime’s exiling of the Father of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini (RA) because of his opposition to the Bill of Capitulation that granted immunity to American criminals in Iran. The second was in 1978 when the US ordered the Pahlavi regime to kill students who were peacefully protesting at Tehran University.

“The US and its agents commit such crimes in a bid to further their own satanic goals. As you can see, such crimes are being committed in today’s world as well. The case of Yemen, of Bahrain and many other conflicts worldwide confirm this truth.

“The third incident on November 4 was the capture in 1979 of the US embassy which was functioning as a den of espionage. This was Iran’s slap in the face of the US, in response to its actions. The Revolution gave this power to the people of Iran: they managed to slap them on the face and to humiliate the US.

“The gist of these three incidents shows the confrontation between Iran and the US which has continued until today. All sorts of moves have been made by the enemy over the past 40 years against Iran but to no avail.

“For example, the US launched a military attack that was miraculously defeated by the sands of Tabas. It then ordered Saddam (of Iraq’s repressive Ba’th minority regime) to attack Iran. The US forced our country to get involved in an 8-year war, but they were defeated and forced into retreat. Among the other US crimes is the downing of our passenger plane (and killing of all 290 people on board), as well as the attack on our oil platforms.

“During this 40-year period there has also been an economic war, which is not particular to the present juncture. And now the US wants to deceive itself or its people by saying it is opting for a new measure; but it is not a new move. It is 40 years now that they have been imposing economic sanctions on us in different ways. One day, they impose sanctions on oil and another day they impose sanctions on business transactions and investment. They have imposed different kinds of sanctions. This is part of about the US economic war and confrontation.

“They have waged a media war as well, from the beginning of the Revolution till this day. In fact, this war means telling lies, deceiving people, causing sedition, promoting corruption and provocation. Of course, today, new methods, the Internet, cyberspace and other such factors have been incorporated as well, but even when these methods did not exist, they were continuously busy by using television, radio and satellites.”

Ayatollah Khamenei continued: “Well, there is an important truth which is sometimes not seen by some people. Its dazzling clarity makes it go unnoticed. The fact is that over the past 40 years, the side which has been defeated is the US and the side which has achieved victory is the Islamic Republic. This is a very important truth. What is the reason behind Americans’ defeat? The reason is that it was they who began the attack. It was they who imposed sanctions and it was they who launched a military attack, but they have not achieved their goals. This means the US has been defeated.

“Through such measures, the US pursued the goal of re-imposing the dominance it had over our country during the Pahlavi regime. That dominance disappeared with the victory of the Revolution and their hands were cut off. The goal of sanctions coupled with political and economic pressures is to restore that dominance. Well, they failed.

“Presently, the country in which the US does not play any role whatsoever in terms of decision-making and management is the Islamic Republic of Iran. This is indeed a defeat for the US and there is no clearer defeat than this. In all the wars that Iran was involved during the past two centuries, Iran was defeated, but the 8-year war was the first and only war in which Iran defeated the other side and in which enemies failed to seize even an inch of Iran’s soil. The result was the opposite of what the US wanted.

“The purpose of imposing sanctions was to cripple the country and keep it backward. But what is the result? The result is that the movement towards self-sufficiency in Iran accelerated! We had gotten used to importing everything for many years. Now, thanks to the sanctions, we have gotten used to first embarking on producing everything.

“Today, hundreds of groups – active groups comprised of intelligent youth, whether students at universities or at schools – are busy carrying out important tasks in the country. This is because of sanctions, which ended to our advantage. This means the US was defeated.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said: “I would like you dear youth to pay careful attention to this point – because you will be in charge of the future affairs of the country. Irrespective of US-Iran conflict, when we look at the condition of the US, we see its power, might and awe is declining all over the world over the years. Today the US is much weaker than at the time when the Islamic Revolution triumphed. America’s power is decreasing and this is an important point.

“Many credible politicians and social scientists all over the world believe that the US soft-power is declining and disappearing. What is soft-power? Soft-power means the capability of a government to make others bow to its demands, opinions and beliefs. This power of the US is completely waning and this is happening in different areas. This was the case during the time of the Obama administration as well, but since this gentleman (Donald Trump) has taken over, he is being unambiguously opposed. The world is opposing him in most of the areas where he makes a decision. If a poll is conducted in all countries, the people will give negative opinions – even those governments which have some considerations for the US are opposing him.

“China, Europe, Russia, India, Africa and Latin America are all protesting against his decisions. The US soft-power is declining and disappearing. This is not my claim. It is a fact stated by well-known social scientists in the world. The US is even disgracing liberal democracy which is the main pillar of western civilization.

“Several years ago, a well-known sociologist (Francis Fukuyama) had claimed that the current condition of the US is the epitome of the historic perfection of humanity, and that humanity will not be able to go beyond this. The same person has taken his claim back and today he says this is not the case. He may not explicitly say that he was wrong, but he is saying other things: the exact opposite of what he had said in those days. Well, this is the condition of the US.

 “Of course, as I have mentioned frequently, liberal democracy has proved to be the ruin of western nations. It has led to social rifts, lack of social justice, the destruction of family, comprehensive and epidemic corruption and excessive and extreme individualism. They are ruined. Now, with the emergence of this gentleman – Trump – he is selling all their values at a bargain price and he has in fact destroyed the remainder of the US reputation and that of liberal democracy.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, continued in his speech to students: “Let me tell you that America’s hard power has been severely damaged as well. Hard power means military and economic power. These are the constituents of hard power. Of course, they have military weapons, but the military and manpower resources of the US are extremely despondent and confused. That is why they use criminal outfits – like Blackwater and others – in many countries in a bid to further their goals. In other words, US soldiers are unable to implement US plans.

“The same is true of their economy. Today, America’s debts amount to about 15 trillion dollars! This is a grotesque figure! And their budget deficit is about 800 billion dollars in the current year. These are, in fact, their economic deficiencies. Of course, they try to cover this up with a bombastic words and with slogans, to keep up appearances, but realities cannot be hidden.

“The US is thus declining. Everyone should know this. Those intent on forgetting the issue of Palestine with the support of the US should know that the US is declining!

“One of the manifestations of the US defeat is that it has failed to dent the spirit of seeking independence of our people and our youth. Today our dear youth and teenagers have independence-seeking sentiments. Perhaps some of them may not be committed to religious principles, but they have a feeling of resistance against the domination of foreigners. This shows that despite all propaganda efforts and despite all the endeavors made by the media and the news empire that they have built, the Americans have failed to influence the young generation in our country.

“Today, if our youth are not ahead of the first generation of the Revolution in terms of the motivation to resist, they are not behind them. Today, one can clearly witness this. And this is not particular to our youth. As far as I know, this has gradually spread among the youth in other countries as well – particularly in our neighborhood. When we listen to the statements of the dear pious youth in our neighboring countries and when we see their actions and behavior, we feel that the spirit of independence has gathered strength in them. Of course, the enemy – the US – lays the blame on us, saying their behavior stems from the movement of Iranian youth. And they threaten us as well. They issue threats, asking why the youth of such and such a country have attacked their forces. This is really a weird and bizarre claim!”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution further said: “They (the Americans) send a message, saying that if the youth of such and such a country attack their forces or the forces advocating them, they will pin the blame on us. Well, the hell you will blame us for that! The people of Iraq hate you – the Americans! The youth of Iraq, Syria and Lebanon hate you! The youth of Afghanistan and Pakistan hate you! What does it have to do with us? They hate you and they might move against you. This is a reality. Why do the Americans not understand this? Why do they not understand the world nations’ hatred of them? You did bad things, you took bad actions, you tried to dominate those countries and you insulted those peoples and that is why they hate you!

“The people of Iraq have the right to hate you. The people of Syria have the right to hate you. The same is true of other countries. The US is declining. Everyone should know this. Those individuals who are inclined towards compromise with the US are devising a groundless and unjustified plan. The US is declining. And the factors in the decline of the US have not come into being in the present time or in the recent past so much so that someone would try to cure them. They have come into being throughout history. The factor and element which has brought about such a condition for the Americans is a long-term factor. They have created a condition in the course of history which has led to the current situation and which cannot be cured. This is a divine tradition. They are condemned to decline, destruction and disappearance from the scene of global power.

“The opposite point is case of the Islamic Republic. Of course, I do not want to exaggerate and magnify the achievements. We began from the point of zero. I do not claim that we have managed to take the path that others have taken in the course of 100, 150 years, in 40 years, but I claim that we have constantly moved forward in the course of the past 40 years. We have constantly progressed and become stronger.

The 40-year movement of the Islamic Republic is clear evidence in this regard. We are witness to a serious movement in the area of industrial and political independence. When I said that there are hundreds of young groups, this is a reality. I know some of them up close and I have heard about others. They are serious, active, talented, creative and determined youth who are busy working in different areas: in intellectual, practical, scientific and technological areas. They are neither thinking about becoming bosses and managers nor thinking about becoming ministers and lawyers. They are just working. This is how things are in the present time. This is an auspicious phenomenon which exists in the country today. And this will continue.”

The Leader said: “I would like to offer some words of advice to you dear youth. These are issues which are necessary for the future of the country. The first word of advice is that you should not forget about enmity towards the US. You should not be deceived by their false and indecent smiles. They sometimes say that they have no problems with the Iranian people and that their problem is with the government of the Islamic Republic. They are lying! The government of the Islamic Republic is nothing without its reliance on the people! They are the enemies of the people. They are the enemies of a nation which has not lost its presence, strength and determination in the past 40 years. Their sanctions are against the people!

“So, you should not forget about enmity towards the US. The US used to show enmity towards the Iranian people even before the Revolution. However, at that time, their own agents had the power and as a result, they would do whatever they wanted and they would act in whatever way that they desired. And the sinister and dependent regime of Pahlavi would obey them. The Islamic Republic has stood firm against them. That is why their enmity is clear and transparent. And they show enmity in different ways. You should not pay attention to their false claims.

“How long will this enmity continue? This is a question: how long should we continue to show enmity towards the US? The answer is: until the US stops its effort to dominate others. If it abandons this pursuance of dominance, it will be possible to interact like other countries and to establish relations. Of course, this is very unlikely. As one of the dear brothers in the meeting said, arrogance seeks dominance by nature. As long as things are like this, enmity will continue. If they put this aside, enmity and hostile relations will come to an end, but this is unlikely.

“The second point is that you should promote and foster the view of resistance against the enemy. Some people should not think that because the enemy has bombs, missiles, propaganda apparatuses and other such weapons, we should retreat. This is not the case. The theory of resistance is an original and correct theory. It should be promoted in both theoretical and practical ways – in both ways. The theoretical aspect is that you should promote it. You youth can delineate the theory of resistance very efficiently: both among yourselves, in the environment where you live and even in relations with other countries and other youth. You should explain the theory of resistance – the fact that the goal of arrogance is hegemony and domination over nations – to everyone so that they know that arrogance pursues this goal.

“And the practical aspect of the issue is that we think youth are entitled to pursue the resistance orientation. The youth of Iraq, Syria and Lebanon and the youth in North Africa, the Subcontinent and the surrounding regions are showing resistance against the US. This is their right and we think that they are entitled to do so. Strengthening these orientations means strengthening the theory of resistance.”

Ayatollah Khamenei said: “The third point is that you youth should consider yourselves responsible towards the progress of the country. The paradigm of progress is a clear, well-thought and well-organized plan. As you know, the Iranian-Islamic paradigm of progress – which can be the basis of movement for the country in different areas for the next 50 years – has been compiled and prepared. It is available to analysts and they can improve and complete it. You should consider yourselves among the activists who work on this extensive and comprehensive plan.

“And you should prepare yourselves for that. One day, this preparedness means studying and doing research, one day, it means building and innovating and another day, it means adopting correct political positions and presence in the arena of politics. Every day, and every period of your life demands one of these requirements. You should consider yourselves responsible in all circumstances and you should think that you have a part in the progress of the country.

“One of the fundamental tasks that we should carry out in the area of economic issues and the future of the country is cutting off our country’s dependence on oil. This has been repeated frequently for years by all competent and intelligent economists. I have always said to officials that we should separate the economy from selling crude oil as much as possible. When we sell crude oil, we are in fact extracting and selling a source of wealth and an asset which cannot be reproduced and which is finite and we earn money for that and we spend it on the management of the country. This is wrong.

“We should utilize and consume this asset in a way that will have value-added. We should optimize oil. One of the important problems in our economy is dependence. Our pious youth and intellectuals should sit and find ways to liberate the country from dependence on oil. Of course, the policies for this have been formulated. When we announced the formation of the national development fund in the general policies of the country, it was because we wanted to liberate ourselves from dependence on oil.

“I should add that we have not borrowed the Western model of development. First of all, we have referred to this movement as “progress”, unlike their movement which is referred to as “growth” and “development”. We do not want to borrow the paradigm of progress from the West. Westerners have ruined themselves because of this method and paradigm. They have created many problems for themselves. There is a flashy appearance, but it is decayed and corrupt from the inside. We will not borrow it from them. Of course, we will make the most of today’s science and technology and we consider progress a source of happiness, pride and security for the people and the country and we will work hard to that end.”

The Leader concluded: “This was our advice to the youth, but it is addressed to officials as well. Officials should take these statements seriously. They should take youth seriously and they should welcome and warmly receive – in the real sense of the word - today’s young generation which is motivated – thanks to Islam and the Islamic Revolution.”

“What I want to say at the end of my statements is that you dear youth should know that, as I explained earlier, the future of this country will be much better and more glorious than its past. You should know that if the people move forward with the spirit that you have and are exhibiting today, they will undoubtedly reach such a peak in a not-too-distant future that they will always have the upper hand in international interactions and that they will be able to further their goals. This is something which is certain and definite and there is no doubt about it.

“By Allah’s favor, you dear youth will witness this with your own eyes. In the future, you will be witness to the great progress that has been made in the country thanks to Islam and the Islamic Revolution in the country.”

AS/ME