Tehran, Jan 31, IRNA -- The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution,
Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, on Thursday paid tribute to the father of the
Islamic Revolution and founder of the Islamic Republic, the late Imam Khomeini,
by visiting his mausoleum on the eve of Bahman 12 (February 1). February 1 is
the anniversary of the homecoming of the late Imam Khomeini after years of exile.
The day serves as the start of the annual `10-Day Dawn' (February 1-11) events
marking the triumph of the Islamic Revolution on Bahman 22 (February 11), 1979.
The Supreme Leader at the mausoleum prayed to God almighty that the late Imam
will rest in peace. Ayatollah Khamenei also visited the tombs of other Iranian
dignitaries and officials martyred in the post-Islamic Revolution era as well as
those martyred both in the course of the Islamic Revolution and during the
eight-year Iraqi-imposed war (1980-88).
:irna 14:51
Tehran, Jan 31, IRNA -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah
Ali Khamenei here Thursday denounced US President George W Bush's calling Iran a
part of the 'axis of evil', and said that Washington itself was 'the greatest
evil'. "The American president threatens some countries and nations and
accuses them of being evil, while most of terrors, opposition to popular
movements, support for unpopular regimes, sales of lethal weapons and plundering
the wealth of other nations in recent years have all been carried out by
America," he said. "The current inexperienced American officials are
further pushing their country to the brink of a precipice with these steps,"
the leader said at the third day of an Islamic media conference on support of
the popular Palestinian Intifada (uprising). Bush, in his first televised State
of the Union address from the House of Representatives chamber on Wednesday,
used arrogant language against Iran, accusing the country, along with Iraq and
North Korea, of attempting to develop weapons of mass destruction. The American
government's statements seemed to be coming from 'a person thirsty for human
blood', Ayatollah Khamenei said, adding, "The Islamic Republic of Iran is
proud of having come under the rage and wrath of the greatest Satans." He
also refuted Bush's calling of Iranian officials as "unelected leaders"
and said, "Contrary to the unlively elections held in the West, officials
of the Islamic Republic of Iran have been elected with majority vote and public
affection." US president's outrageous remarks were further prompted by
Washington's anger with the flames of Intifada, raging in the occupied
Palestinian lands, and the threat felt, commonly by the racist Israeli regime,
the leader said. "America today has removed thick veils of hypocrisy from
its face and revealed its true self with its open support of the atrocious
Zionist regime and the Israeli crimes against the innocent Palestinian people.
"It (the US) has proven that Washington looks at international principles
and conventions as a tool to meet its ends and interests," Ayatollah
Khamenei said, adding, "America and the western powers are accomplices of
the Zionist regime in its crimes and atrocities." He said Bush's branding
of the Palestinian and Lebanese freedom-seeking movements, including Hamas, the
Islamic Jihad and Hizbullah, was related to the US' ire with these groups'
resistance against the Zionist regime's invasions. Israel and the US will not be
content with anything less than the subjugation of the Palestinian people,
Ayatollah Khamenei said, adding, "The Zionist regime and its western
supporters will never succeed to force the oppressed Palestinian people to
surrender." "Palestine will emerge victorious, with a bright future,"
he said. The leader also slammed the 'Zionist propaganda apparatus' in trying to
undermine the resistance morale of Palestinians and portraying 'an innocent
picture' of the 'illegitimate' Israeli regime. "The Islamic media have a
grave responsibility in the face of the extensive propaganda campaign of the
western Zionist media. They must take up a fundamental and common strategy to
elucidate the truth behind the Palestinian issue and the ongoing struggle of the
oppressed Palestinians," Ayatollah Khamenei said. Over one hundred
representatives from more than 30 countries participated at the 'Islamic media
conference on support of the Palestinian Intifada', sponsored by the Islamic
Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB). Iran has had no diplomatic relations with
the US which severed its ties after the 'Students Following the Imam's Line'
stormed the American embassy in Tehran, known as 'Den of Spies', in 1979 and
took its staff hostage for 444 days.
:irna 17:42
read the complete speech
Tehran, Jan 26, IRNA -- In a meeting with the United Nations
Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah
Seyed Ali Khamenei called on the UN system to use its capabilities and resources
to suppress oppression and injustice in the world. Ayatollah Khamenei said big
powers try to use the UN system to gain benefit and guarantee their own
interests while adding that such cases should be prevented. The leader expressed
pleasure with the end of the war in the war-torn Afghanistan and said Iran would
support the peace and stability in the country since it will benefit Iran and
the entire region. He said Iran would provide assistance for Afghanistan in the
process of reconstruction as it has provided help for the Afghan people in the
past and hosted about three million Afghans. The leader expressed
dissatisfaction with the American troops actions in Afghanistan and said this
would not be in the interests of the Afghan people. He said the reports on the
Afghans made prisoners by the US forces are lamentable and called on the United
Nations to supervise their situation. The Leader said Iran supports the United
Nations efforts to suppress terrorism and said if the anti-terrorism campaign is
conducted sincerely it will be beneficial for all the countries including Iran.
He said Iran was a victim of terrorism since the early years of the victory of
the Islamic Revolution. The Leader referred to the terrorist acts in some
European states and in the United States against Iran and said some are abusing
the anti-terrorism campaign to gain some benefits as they abuse the issue of
human rights to impose their expansionist policies on others. He commented on
the recently-issued resolution by the United Nations in which it has asked the
states to present reports on their efforts to counter terrorism and asked if the
United States and European countries have presented such reports. He asked
whether these states have mentioned the terrorist groups which acts against the
Islamic Republic of Iran. Ayatollah Khamenei said the American secret service
(CIA) was one of the main centers behind the terrorism. He referred to the
terrorist acts by CIA (American Central Intelligence Agency) in several parts of
the world and said the United States in itself can be considered a meaning of
the terrorism. He commented on the crimes in the occupied lands by the Zionists
and said why the Israeli criminal acts are not defined within the framework of
terrorism. Annan praised the support and help provided by Iran for more than
three million Afghan refugees over the past 20 years. He said "the United
Nations are not precisely informed of the American forces actions in Afghanistan
and the end of the US forces' operations in Afghanistan would pave the way for
the United Nations to proceed to effort to reconstruct Afghanistan. Annan
expressed regret over the situation in the Middle East and said the United
Nations and its Security Council are facing with serious problems to react to
the Mideast crisis. The UN Secretary-General is visiting Iran for two days on
the last leg of his trip to the region, which has already taken him to Pakistan
and Afghanistan.
:irna 22:49
Tehran, Jan 23, IRNA -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali
Khamenei said on Wednesday that the Ten-Day Dawn (February 1-11, the period
between the arrival home of the late Imam Khomeini and victory of the Islamic
Revolution in 1979) was a historical opportunity for the Iranian nation to get
rid of despotism and foreign domination. In a meeting with officials in charge
of holding the nationwide ceremonies to mark the occasion and officials
responsible for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, the Supreme Leader said that the
enemies have targeted Iranians' national identity and attempted to spoil the
lively atmosphere of development and progress in the country adding that as long
as the people exercise vigilance and the officials are working in line with the
people's interests and the lofty aspirations of the Islamic Revolution, none of
the enemies will reach their ominous goals. The Leader said that the Islamic
Revolution was the outcome of the strong will of the late Imam Khomeini which
created a great stumbling block for the enemies of the country. The Supreme
Leader underlined the need for more cultural works to mark the anniversary of
victory of the Islamic Revolution and said that the Ten-Day Dawn should be
honored to keep the memories of the days leading to the victory of the Islamic
Revolution alive. "The Islamic Revolution brought an atmosphere of
self-reliance and paved the way for development and progress," the Supreme
Leader said. The Leader pointed to the anti-Islam and anti-Iran propaganda
campaign of the world arrogance and said that a nation that has good knowledge
of the cultural campaign of the world arrogance will stand up to them well. The
Supreme Leader said that the faith and knowledge of the Iranian nation are
exemplary adding that the enemies are working hard to stop the Islamic
Revolution from attaining its lofty objectives. "Insistence on campaign
against economic corruption is aimed at paving the way for the people to enjoy
the fruits of the Islamic Revolution. If economic corruption prevails over the
officials, it will deal an irreparable blow to the country," the Supreme
Leader said. The Leader said that campaign against economic corruption calls for
solidarity among the officials from the three branches of government adding that
the campaign against economic corruption is very decisive for the Islamic
Republic so that every branch of the government should properly carry out their
heavy responsibility in this respect. "The campaign will make those
insinuated into economic corruption know the consequences of their action and
that serious punishment is awaiting them," the Supreme Leader said. "The
judiciary and the executive branch of government should deal with the roots of
economic corruption in addition to their serious campaign against those involved
in corruption," the Leader said. The Supreme Leader called for observing
impartiality and justice in the campaign against economic corruption as well as
avoiding factional involvement in legal matters. The Leader rejected the idea
that campaign against economic corruption will hinder investment in the country
and said that instead, the campaign will have positive impacts on investment in
the economic sector. Elsewhere in his address, the Supreme leader said that Hajj
ritual is an obligation for the Muslims which has built up great capacity for
the Islamic nations adding that if the Muslim nations take into account the
great capacity of the Hajj pilgrimage, it will resolve a major part of the
sufferings of the Muslims. "The injustice and brutal crimes the Zionist
regime has committed against the Palestinians in the past 50 years and, in
particular, in the past one and a half year (since September 28, 2000) are due
to the lack of solidarity and division among Muslim countries. "Today, the
Palestinian nation is passing the hardest day possible, but, despite the
wide-scale resolve of the Islamic nations to help the Palestinians, they do
nothing in practice. This is a tragedy," the Supreme Leader said. "The
Zionist regime is using every kind of deadly weapons against Palestinians. It is
not possible to stop the Zionist regime from its inhuman actions by giving
advice. The Palestinian plight has become intertwined with the interests of all
Islamic nations so that their support to Palestine serves in fact their own
interests," the Supreme Leader pointed out. "Islamic solidarity will
stop the international plunderers from easily exposing an Islamic country to
aggression. Hajj pilgrimage is a means to foster solidarity among the world
Muslims and make them aware of their responsibility toward Palestine," the
Supreme Leader said.
:irna 18:15
Tehran, Jan 15, IRNA -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali
Khamenei on Tuesday accepted a request from Judiciary Chief to pardon MP from
Hamedan Hossein Loqmanian.
irna 14:38
Tehran, Jan 12, IRNA -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah
Seyed Ali Khamenei here on Friday visited the graves of six unknown martyrs
buried on Wednesday at the Imam Sadeq University campus. The Leader prayed to
God Almighty to bestow blessing and peace to the sublime soul of the soldiers,
killed during the eight years of Iraqi imposed war against Iran. The six
soldiers whose remains were retrieved from Iraq along with 219 other unknown
soldiers were laid to rest on Wednesday on the martyrdom anniversary of Imam
Sadeq (AS), the sixth Imam of the infallible household of Prophet Muhammad (Peace
Be Upon Him). Funeral processions were held in 45 cities across Iran on
Wednesday for 225 unknown soldiers, killed during the 1980-1988 Iraqi-imposed
war. Six martyrs were buried at the Imam Sadeq University in Tehran in a
symbolic move. In the processions, mourners carried the coffins, draped in green,
white and red Iranian flag, on their shoulders through the streets before taking
them for burial. The head of the Iranian committee on those missing in action,
Brigadier General Mir-Feisal Baqerzadeh said last Saturday that so far the
bodies of 48,000 martyrs have been located and operations are underway to find
the bodies of 10,000 more. Since 1991, the two countries have exchanged more
than 100,000 prisoners of war from both sides. Press reported on Tuesday that an
Iranian delegation had headed for Baghdad on Monday to negotiate the fate of the
remaining prisoners of war.
:irna 17:30
Tehran, Jan 9, IRNA -- The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah
Seyed Ali Khamenei here on Wednesday called for all-out campaign against
corruption. Ayatollah Khamenei, who was addressing thousands of people of the
holy city of Qom on the occasion of January 9, marking anniversary of a popular
uprising in Qom, said those, who put public assets in their own pockets through
ample means, including flattery, recourse to law, and recruiting weak and
ignorant people, are blocking the road for the country's progress and removal of
people's problems. The Leader said officials' awareness is the key to
understanding importance of campaign against corruption. He advised officials to
prevent contaminating the issue on campaign against corruption with political
motivation. The economic corrupts are in fact taking in possession the wealth
and facilities, that should be spent on removing people's problems and helping
development of the country, and are preventing the country's progress, warned
the Paramount Leader. The Leader cautioned that engagement of certain weak
natured managers and officials in corruption and bribery are among other dangers
of economic corruption. Any shortcoming to counter corruption would encourage
owners of wealth to financial abuse and collusion, said the Supreme Leader,
adding that in case of no campaign is lodged against corruption, the
entrepreneurs would turn to collection of fortunes through illegitimate means,
rather than engaging themselves in laborious and production works, thus making
the country lag behind economic activities. Elsewhere in his remarks the leader
advised officials to be pious, brave and aware, adding that the feature would
prevent them from any diversion from the path of the revolution. If officials
and directors are good but not brave, they would be intimidated by the enemy and
any nation intimidated by the enemy will be doomed to misery, warned the leader.
Iranian leader said the enemy tries to get people weary and make officials
impatient and raise the feeling of inability among them with an aim to turn them
negligent of the country's immense potential and intimidated in the face of the
big powers' facilities and power. He said foreign media analysis and propaganda
are aimed to intimidate officials and the elite in the country. Ayatollah
Khamenei said people's strong faith, the firm and wise leadership of the late
Imam Khomeini, and the Constitution are the keys to survival of the system's
strength against enemy's plots. He said if the nation maintain the precious gem
of their faith and safe-guard the Constitution as the firm base of the system,
the enemy will fail to achieve its ends by dozens of the coming years.
Concluding his remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei said the global arrogance, led by the
U.S., would not be able to have their dreams of re-dominating Iran come true.
:irna 17:21
Tehran, Jan 2 - Majlis speaker Hojjatoleslam Hehdi Karroubi on wednesday
submitted a report to the Suprme Leader of the Islamic revolution Ayatollah
Seyed Ali Khamenei on the outcome of his negotiations with Saudi leaders. The
Supreme Leader expressed his pleasure over the current efforts to boost Iran's
relations with the regional states and said that relations with Saudi Arabia is
important to Iran. In the meantime, referring to domestic issues, the Supreme
Leader called for more contacts between the Legislative and the Judiciary
officials to help resolve the row between the two branches of the government.
The Supreme Leader hoped that the joint committee of the two branches would
reach an immediate settlement of the current stalemate.
Tehran- Jan 2 - The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed
Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday that unity and solidarity is the only way to
progress, development and honor of the Iranian nation. In a meeting with a large
number of people among them exemplary farmers, the Supreme Leader said that
every and each official and individual should exercise vigilance not to fall
into the trap of dispute and division, adding that solidarity among the t hree
branches of government is the key to solve the problems of the country. The
Supreme Leader said that any action to undermine the three branches of
government, the legislature, the judiciary and the executive must be avoided,
because weak branches of government will undermine the whole Islamic system. The
Leader said that the prestige of Islam and Iran depends on resolving the current
difficulties and paving the way for progress and development. Referring to the
obstacles the enemies have created in the way of Iran's progress, the Supreme
Leader said that three branches of government are the pillars of the Islamic
Republic.They should not weaken one another, on the one hand, and the press do
not have the right to weaken them on the other. "If there is a protest to a
certain part of one branch of government, it should not be used as an excuse to
undermine the entirety of that branch. For example, if one or two MPs are
subject to protest, the parliament should not be undermined. Or, if several
people have objection to a certain judicial verdict, the judiciary should not be
undermined as well. At the same time, criticizing a certain part of the
government should not jeopardize the executive branch as a whole," the
Supreme Leader said. The Supreme Leader said that the enemy has attempted to
misportray the Islamic Republic as unable to provide the people's fundamental
needs, endeavoring to sow discord to undermine the pillars of the Islamic
Republic and plunder the resources of the co untry. The Leader said that writers
and cultural figures capable of influencing the public opinion should bear in
mind that the God almighty will not forgive those who commit offense which might
eventually lead to the weakness of the Islamic Republic. Penitence will not be
effective in this case, the Supreme Leader said. On self-sufficiency in the food
sector, the Supreme Leader said that the country is expected to reach
self-sufficiency in the food sector as the basic need of national strength and
called on respective officials to work hard to reach the target. The Supreme
Leader hoped that merger of Ministry of Construction Jihad with the Agriculture
Ministry would help advance the programs aimed at reviving the agriculture
sector and to put an end to the "ugly face of economic dependency".
Before the Leader's remarks, Minister of Agriculture Jihad Mahmoud Hojjati said
that he believes that through appropriate planning and farmers' efforts, Iran
will reach self-sufficiancy in producing wheat soon.