Iran News, IRAN NEWS POLITICAL DESK TEHRAN - Supreme Leader of the
Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, Thursday appointed Brigadier General
Habib Baqaie as the new Commander of the Air Force. In his decree, Ayatollah Khamenei, who
is also the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, praised the achievements of the Armed
Forces during the last 15 years, particularly during the 1980-88 Iraqi-imposed war. The
Supreme Leader added that the Islamic Republic Air Force has demonstrated an outstanding
degree of devotion in defending the Revolution and the country.
Ayatollah Khamenei lauded the martyred former Commander of the Air Force, the late
Brig.
Gen. Mansour Sattari, who was killed along with a dozen other high-ranking Air Force
personnel in a plane crash January 5, and said that martyrs of the Air Force have had a
highly crucial, determining, and clear role in improving the Air Force.
The Leader said he appointed Brig. Gen. Baqaie as the new Commander because of his
outstanding character, managerial skills, devotion, and admirable bravery. Ayatollah
Khamenei said he expects the newly-appointed Air Force Commander to upgrade the force and
promote efficiency and revolutionary morale in the Air Force as before. He wished further
success for the Air Force personnel in discharging their duties.
Iran News, IRAN NEWS NATIONAL DESK TEHRAN - The Supreme Leader of the
Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said yesterday that when sovereign rule
is characterized by justice and those in power are pious and God-fearing, the end result
is that religion and religious concepts become more strongly rooted in the hearts and
minds of the people. He noted that this state of affairs has the affect of attracting
people to religion.
Ayatollah Khamenei was addressing a number of religious scholars and Friday prayer leaders
of mosques. His comments were directed at the foreign propaganda campaign now underway and
designed to undermine the Islamic faith in Iran.
The leader said that the enemies' analytical approach was incorrect, in that it attempts
to promote the idea that the administration of the Islamic system in Iran by Islamic
scholars, would ultimately weaken religion. Emphasizing the importance of worship in all
aspects of life, Ayatollah Khamenei related that the noblest of human beings, Hazrat Ali
(AS), the first Imam of the Shia's and other members of the household of Prophet Mohammad,
distinguished themselves through their devotion to prayer.
In another part of his remarks, he urged the ulema and religious scholars to invite the
people to patience, resistance, kindness and forgiveness. At the same time he warned that
the anti-Islamic propaganda being conducted by foreign circles was designed to sway public
opinion away from the truth of religion.
Under the circumstances, the leader stressed the need for political vigilance, noting that
those nations that have the capacity to understand their enemies bad intentions, are in a
position to protect themselves from the negative consequences thereof.
IRAN NEWS NATIONAL DESK TEHRAN - A large delegation of cultural workers
and artists were granted an audience Monday with the Leader of the Islamic Revolution
Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei. The Leader spoke to filmmakers, actors,
cinematographers, writers, scriptwriters, publishers, poets and artists. The Minister of Culture and Islamic
Guidance Mostafa Mir Salim, and Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting Director Ali
Larijani also attended. Ayatollah Khamenei expressed his appreciation of the
arts, and the
social status of artists. He said those involved in the film industry in particular could
play an important role in publicizing the exalted values of Islam. "The language of
film, cinema, stage and visual arts is more expressive than other artistic
fields,"
the Leader said. He added that the presence of Muslims in many fields, especially in
scientific, research, political and social arenas, had meant great progress. Today Iran
must use its indigenous capacity to propel its art to international levels, the Leader
said according to an IRNA report. "Because the people of Iran have conspicuous
talents in every area of human activity, they have set the trend for other
nations,"
he said. The Leader said the "new revolutionary generation" had the capacity to
compensate for the lack of stage art expertise and "shine in the world like a
star". "There are prominent movie stars, script writers and film directors in
Iran, and obviously once the indigenous talent has bloomed, and once the support agencies
have fulfilled their role, we shall be able to reach an international level in the area of
film and arts."
The Grand Ayatollah added that script writers should utilize the art of writing to offer a
correct visage of concepts and values. Moral realities are not comparable to any of the
material concepts, he said. "Islamic values are the loftiest realities that can fully
absorb us, and on that basis, film makers and film directors are expected to find visual
representation of religious concepts in such a way that they will be more appealing to the
viewers." He said the language of arts should be used to make values all the more
appealing. Various art forms each have their own advantages and disadvantages, but among
them all, it is the language of the stage that is more articulate, the Leader
said.
"For this reason, for conveying religious facts, the language of art, and especially
the language of stage art, should be used." "The Iranian nation managed to rid
itself of age-old economic, cultural and political domination by foreigners, and today it
is fiercely fighting ist enemies as a wronged nation. Therefore, for the artists of the
country, the highest service is to keep up the good spirit and fervor of the people, and
uphold them in treading this same road of righteousness," the Leader stated. "I
thank all those who, during the past few years, have offered valuable works of art in the
form of film and drama, and request them to produce as much more valuable work as they
can, and thereby satiate the thirst of the society." "Arts is the worthy gift of
God to man. The arts are dear and exalted. Arts are everlasting. Arts are universal and
are not limited to specific lands or specific periods of history," the Grand
Ayatollah continued. "To all who are sincerely, faithfully and purely active in the
area of arts, and to those who pursue high goals in their endeavors, I feel much
devoted," he said.
In closing his speech, the Leader paid tribute to Iranian radio and television for its
service in the arts. He said IRIB had recently embarked on very good projects, though much
remained to be done.
IRAN NEWS NATIONAL DESK TEHRAN - The Leader of the Islamic Revolution,
Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei says the United States as a superpower will collapse within a
few years, giving way to the rise of a world ruled by Islam. "The establishment in
Iran of an Islamic and divine rule, the collapse of an anti-religion and Marxist
government that had taken the easternmost part of the world to Latin America under its
dark wings, as well as the collapse of the colonialist power of Britain became a reality
in the face of the disbelief of the world observers and shallow-minded people, and
doubtless, within a few years the bullying and intruding government of the United States
will end where Britain has landed," the Leader said. His remarks came here yesterday
in an audience he gave to a large group of visiting people on the occasion of the
anniversary of the birthday of Hazrat Mahdi (A.S.), the 12th Shia Imam. The Leader
congratulated the Iranian nation and the Muslim world on the occasion and said the path
being traversed by the humanity is one that will eventually lead to the superiority of the
downtrodden people the world over.
"The Islamic expectation means to expect the birth of a world filled with
justice, sincerity, humanity, moral values, human values and ethics in which is absent all traces
of the power of wealth and of worldly powers, and the power of hypocritical and malicious
propaganda of the Western and Eastern mass media," the Leader, quoted by IRNA,
stated. "Expectation is not independent of hope. There is expectation where there is
hope. Today many of the intellectuals and even religious personalities in Muslim countries
have succumbed to accepting the status quo, and they have yielded to the infamy that has
been thrust upon them by the United States and they put up with it." "The path
being traversed by the humanity is one that will lead to the eventual rule and dignity of
the downtrodden peoples. The divine rule of Hazrat Baqiyatollah (the 12th Imam) is a
government in which the prevailing laws are not the laws favored by the United States and
other powermongers of the West and the East. It will be the rule of justice, mutual
help, equality, moral values and virtues. Today, whoever is treading a path for justice and on
the course of religion and helping the deprived masses must be happy and hopeful since the
future shall be his," the Leader stressed.
"The establishment of the (universal) rule of Imam-e Zaman (the Imam of our time)
shall be gradual... Today the world is fraught with tyranny and oppression, and the world
arrogance is propagating oppression and tyranny in its ugliest form. But, beneath this
ugly and hideous surface which is in consequence of the presence of corrupt and tyrannical
statesmen, noble and militant men are steadily increasing in number and the religious
thought and religious rule in the Muslim societies is becoming predominant," he
asserted. "The limpid waters of religion continue their progress down their divine
and historical course, and hearts are being attracted to Islam, and Muslim youths the
world over are shouting slogans in the name of Islam," the Leader stated. "To
amass wealth by practicing unlawful methods, and hypocrisy, and bullying and trespassing
upon others shall be suppressed and those treading wrongful and felonious courses have
good reason to be fearful, since the general course of the universe is going against their
expectations," the Ayatollah said.
IRAN NEWS NATIONAL DESK TEHRAN - The Leader of the Islamic Revolution,
Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei yesterday pardoned or reduced the sentences of 841 prisoners
to mark 15th of Sha'ban, the birth anniversary of Imam Mahdi (A.S.), the 12th and last
Shia Imam. The amnesty was granted at the request of the Head of the Judiciary, Ayatollah
Mohammad Yazdi. The prisoners were convicted by revolutionary, military and civil courts.
The Leader issues several pardons each year to mark major religious and national holidays.
IRAN NEWS POLITICAL DESK TEHRAN - The Leader of the Islamic Revolution,
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said here yesterday that the Zionist regime gained possession of
nuclear weapons with the help of the United States, but that Israel would not be able to
use them, "because if they use these weapons in the region, they themselves would not
be immune to its fallout and radiations." At a meeting with a large group of people
and clergy from the holy city of Qom yesterday, the Supreme Leader also said that the Qods
occupier regime lacked "real power" and that the neighboring Arab states of
occupied Palestine have enough manpower and strength to counter the actions of the Zionist
regime and remove "this cancerous tumor". "But Arab rulers and heads of
state, due to their lack of faith in God, and because of not relying on their own people,
have been reduced to their current state," the Leader added.
IRAN NEWS NATIONAL DESK TEHRAN - The Leader of the Islamic Revolution,
Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei attended the funeral procession of the Air Force officers
yesterday morning and expressed deep regret over the tragedy as he recalled the devotion
and great services rendered by the martyred officials during the 8-year Iraqi-imposed war.
Also present at the ceremony were Vice President Hassan Habibi, Armed Forces' Chief of
Staff Firouzabadi, Defense Minister Mohammad Forouzandeh, Chief of the Army's Joint Staff
Ali Shahbazi, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Hassan Rowhani, Commander
of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Mohsen Rezaie as well as a large number of other
leading religious and political personalities. Tens of thousands of people from various
walks of life gathered in front of the Air Force headquarters to take part in the funeral
procession of martyrs of the air crash. Meanwhile, the Supreme National Security Council
(SNSC) chaired by President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani met Saturday to review the plane
crash which claimed life of Air Force Chief Mansour Sattari and other Air Force officers.
The President praised Sattari for commanding and organizing the Iranian Air Force during
the war and noted in an IRNA report the crucial role which Sattari had in restructuring
the Air Force as well as defending Iranian air space after the war. Members of the Council
expressed condolences to Ayatollah Khamenei, the bereaved families of the martyrs, and Air
Force personnel.
In another development, a Salam newspaper report quoted Chief of Staff Ali Shahbazi on
Saturday as ruling out sabotage. He said the plane crash was caused by a technical failure
adding that "experts were dispatched to the site for a precise review of the
case". He told Tehran Radio on Friday that the plane carrying the Air Force officers
took off from Isfahan's Shahid Babaei Air Base for a destination he did not specify. When
asked why so many senior officers were on the same plane despite an incident in 1979 which
also caused the death of top-ranking officials, Shahbazi said the reason is only to save
on facilities.
IRAN NEWS NATIONAL DESK TEHRAN - Leader of the Islamic Revolution
Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei yesterday issued a statement expressing condolence on the
martyrdom of the Air Force Commander General Mansour Sattari, five senior officers, and
six crewmen who died when their plane crashed Thursday. The statement, released by the
Leader's Office, said that commemoration services for the martyrs will be held tomorrow at
Martyr Motahhari's College from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. In the statement, the Leader lauded the
role and bravery of these martyred officers in Iran's sacred defense and expressed
condolence to the bereaved families of the martyrs and to the Air Force personnel on this
sad occasion. The head of the Army's Joint Chiefs of Staff, Maj. Gen. Ali Shahbazi made
known in a televized announcement that the plane in which Air Force Commander General
Mansour Sattari, five senior officers and six crewmen perished, was attempting an
emergency landing late Thursday night at a military base in Isfahan. The `Jetstar'
aircraft flight which originated in Isfahan, was on its way to Tehran. The plane was
making a two-hour stopover in Isfahan, via Kish Island, when it took off for the capital
at 20:40 hours local time (17:10 hours GMT). At an altitude of 2,000 feet the pilot
noticed a sharp drop in cabin pressure and made preparations for an emergency landing. He
was unable to do so and the craft crashed, killing all 12 passengers. A team of Air Force
experts is now in Isfahan probing into the causes of the mishap. Shahbazi said in his
statement that the results of their findings would be made known as soon as the reports
are completed.
IRAN NEWS NATIONAL DESK TEHRAN - Leader of the Islamic Revolution
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that followers of the noble religion of Islam the world over
are proud of being Muslims, as is evident in their independence-seeking campaign and
efforts to determine their own fate. The Leader was addressing a group of the Islamic
Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), the law enforcement forces, and a number of war disabled
here Thursday on the occasion of the Anniversary of Birth of Imam Hussein (A.S.), Third
Imam of the Household of Prophet Mohammad (S). He stressed that the powerful presence of
Muslim forces at various international and social scenes--including those in
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Chechnya and several African countries--was solid proof of such an
effort, an IRNA report said. The Leader pointed to the gradual elimination of the
monarchic regime's bases in Iran and the growth of Islamic and revolutionary zeal among
the youth as other blessings and noted that those pessimistic towards Iran's
post-revolution developments should compare the situation with the pre-revolution epoch to
see the outstanding achievements gained. Warning against dangers jeopardizing the Muslim
"Ummah" (nation), the Ayatollah said that the epidemic of regression and
reactionary tendencies served as the main enemy of any revolution and added that the enemy
awaited to see the impacts of this epidemic on the healthy and strong body of the Islamic
system. The leader stated that corruption, property accumulation, domestic discord, and
making the youth suspicious toward the ideals were impacts of the epidemic of regression
and reactionary tendencies, the spread of which was sought by the enemies. Referring to
the ceaseless attempts made by the enemies of Islam in launching a cultural assault
against Iran's Islamic society, the Leader stressed that the orchestrated enemy propaganda
was rooted in a past background. However, the leader added, the enemies were ignorant of
the high morale of the pious people who could never be easily misled, stressing that
presence of such pious people in various institutions of the Islamic system had so far
foiled enemy plots. Ayatollah Khamenei described Iran's Islamic system as a grave divine
responsibility vested with faithful forces such as the IRGC, Basij (mobilization forces),
and the Armed Forces.
Iran News, IRAN NEWS NATIONAL DESK TEHRAN - The Leader of the Islamic
Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, in a message on Monday greeted the world's
Christians and Muslims on the birthday of Jesus Christ (A.S). He said that Jesus urged
people to follow the way of Almighty God as this is the path leading to man's prosperity
and guards them from being trapped in carnal desires, evil-doings, oppression and
wickedness.
The arrogant, corrupt and oppressor powers subjected Jesus to harassment and calumny and
even attempted against his life, Ayatollah Khamenei's message further said, but God
protected Him as well as his followers who were subjected to heinous tortures by the
enemies of truth in a bid to undermine His teachings against corruption, oppression,
war-mongering and demagogy.
The Leader remarked that those who are oppressive and corrupt cannot tolerate the religion
of God, His messenger, or those treading in the path of God. He added in an IRNA report
that a true follower of Christ should support truth and express antipathy with powers
which are against the truth.
Ayatollah Khamenei expressed the hope that Christians and Muslims would apply the
teachings of Jesus in their everyday lives, and wished that the new Christian year be a
year of prosperity and humanity for all nations.
Iran News, IRAN NEWS NATIONAL DESK TEHRAN - Leader of the Islamic
Republic, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, yesterday received political and religious leaders
of Iran's Assyrian community.
Ayatollah Khamenei congratulated the Assyrian community and all other Christians, as well
as Muslims, on the birth of Jesus Christ, and stated that Christ was one of God's great
prophets whose life and deeds are accepted and revered by Muslims.
IRAN NEWS PARLIAMENTARY DESK TEHRAN - The Leader of the Islamic
Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei yesterday praised the personnel of the Defense
Ministry for their untiring efforts towards self-sufficiency in defense industries. The
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces' hand-written plaque of honor was submitted to the
Minister of Defense and Logistics of the Armed Forces, Mohammad Forouzandeh by Majlis
Speaker, Hojjatoleslam Ali Akbar Nateq-Nouri during an inspection tour of the Defense
Industries Organization yesterday. A number of officials of the Defense Ministry also
received plaques of honor and prizes for their praiseworthy activities towards military
self-sufficiency.
IRAN NEWS NATIONAL DESK TEHRAN - The Leader of the Islamic Revolution
says the poisonous propaganda directed against Iran with the illegally earned money of the
wealthy and bullying powers indicates not only the enmity and grudge of the enemies
against Islam but also their fear of Islam. "The aim of this propaganda is to
misrepresent the economic realities of the country, magnify the problems and give an
impression that the Iranian people are disillusioned," said the Leader in a meeting
with top officials of the country yesterday. ``But the optimist people of Iran have
explicitly demonstrated their presence on various scenes of the Revolution over the past
15 years," the Supreme Leader made it clear. The officials, including the President
and the Majlis Speaker, visited the Leader on the occasion of Mabaath, the day Prophet
Mohammad (S) was appointed by God as His last messenger. Ayatollah Khamenei said the
Westerners' silence on the fact that the rights of Muslims are being trampled upon in
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Palestine, Lebanon and Chechnya lend proof to their enmity with Islam.
The Leader also congratulated the Muslim people and officials of Iran on the auspicious
occasion. ``Promulgating ethical principles is one of the features of the Prophet's
appointment as the Almighty's last messenger," he said. ``Today, the Islamic Republic
has hoisted the flag of Islam... and is endeavoring to promote monotheism in the real
sense of the word, administer justice and incorporate the ethical system of society and
human virtues," the Leader said.
In a brief statement before the Leader, President Hashemi Rafsanjani said the anniversary
of the Prophetic mission (Mabaath) was a great and auspicious day in the history of
mankind. He noted that Islamic Iran was the most suitable place for celebrating the
occasion because it was after the same mission which tore apart the curtains of darkness
and lit up the entire world.