Leader highlights "security" as backbone issue for country

Tehran, Oct 12, IRNA – The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei referred to the issue of "security" as an element which is of high value and importance for the country. The Leader made the remarks while virtually addressing the graduation ceremony held for the cadets in the Iranian Armed Forces university complex on Monday. In his remarks, the Leader described security as a "crucial issue" for the country. He said that the nation's valuable and significant values will be damaged in absence of security. Speaking about the current economic hard situation in the country, the Leader said problems can be solved through round-the-clock efforts made by the officials, effective management and concentration of domestic products. Ayatollah Khamenei further urged all in the country not to get trapped in the US rascals' babbling. Islamic Republic's exact and wise calculations are the reasons for the enemies' fuss over Iran's defense and missile capabilities, the Supreme Leader underlined. They make a fuss because they are afraid and they are lagging behind when it comes to these capabilities, he stressed. Further, the Leader hailed the Armed Forces for serving the people not only through maintaining security but also by their presence in the scenes of emergency to help the nation. Then, the Supreme Leader referred to the three factors of "power of deterrence", "economic stability" and "robust cultural capabilities" as pillars of the national authority. At the end of his remarks, the Leader stressed the need to be active and fresh in order to be successful in managing the country's affairs. According to the Supreme Leader's official website, Khamenei.ir, commanders and certain military units were also present in the event. The event was held in Imam Ali (pbuh) Officer’s Academy with only a number of the exemplary units from the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Army, Guard Corps and Police in attendance due to special conditions caused by the prevalence of Covid-19. The following is an excerpt of the statements Imam Khamenei made in his speech in this ceremony: "Studying in the academies of our Armed Forces is one of the noblest and valuable acts. Why? Because the Armed Forces ensure the country’s security. Security is a vital element. Without it, all other important values such as education, justice, welfare and the like are disrupted." "In addition to ensuring security, our Armed Forces carry out other important tasks in serving the nation, both infrastructural and in the health services. In the case of COVID-19, the Armed Forces have truly come forward." "The three pillars of Iran’s National Strength: 1) Economic stability; 2) Cultural consolidation and consistency; 3) Defense power. If nations do not have defense power, aggressors like the U.S. and others won’t leave them at ease. You can see how today some countries are attacked." "At times enemy conceals its military threat to take by surprise, at times it exaggerates its threat 10x over to scare its target. One should see a threat in its true size. We must also identify and strengthen our own potentials. “Prepare against them what force you can,” Quran 8:60." "These American thugs and prattlers who talk recklessly and illogically, spread propaganda about our missile facilities and regional capabilities that are in progress with precise calculations. This propaganda and commotion stem from their backwardness in rational thinking." "We have economic problems that are all resolvable. The remedy to these problems is relying on domestic production and removing loopholes such as smuggling, reckless imports, and financial corruption. These loopholes prevent the efforts made from achieving the desired results." "The US President happily says that by imposing maximum pressure and sanctions, they have disrupted Iran’s economy. Only reprobates like him take pride in committing crimes against a nation." "The US government’s malicious sanctions are a crime in the true sense of the word. Of course, we resist and confront them, and God willing this maximum pressure will lead to the maximum disgrace of the U.S. With God’s grace, we will make them regret." Referring to economic strength and stability as the third pillar of national strength, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution said, “It has frequently been said that the remedy to our economic problems is concentrating on production, preventing the continuous devaluation of the national currency and blocking the way for smuggling, unnecessary imports and financial corruption.” Referring to the happiness of the US President at having disrupted the economic affairs of the country and committing crimes against the Iranian nation, Ayatollah Khamenei said, “Only scoundrels like you take pride in committing such crimes.” He reiterated that today the US is in a dire situation due to its budget deficit of billions of dollars and also due to the existence of tens of millions of hungry people below the poverty line, adding, "However, with God’s grace, the Iranian nation will overcome the problems it is facing with the power of its faith, its national determination and despite the foolish desires of the vicious, treacherous, criminal politicians in the US. And they will use the sanctions as a means for strengthening the economy of the country." Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that the remedy for the country’s problems lies inside the country and added, “Although many of our problems are related to international issues, their remedy exists inside the country. The remedy consists of relying on correct calculations, adopting the right outlook concerning the affairs of the country and the region, and benefiting from wisdom, diligence and firm determination. The remedy should not be sought outside the country because we will not gain anything from foreigners. Moreover, the commotion created by the thugs dominating the US nation should not occupy anyone’s thoughts.” In expressing his gratitude to the health and medical professionals and to the devoted physicians and nurses, Imam Khamenei stated that the causalities resulting from the third wave of the Coronavirus pandemic in the country are truly painful. He demanded that obeying the regulations in dealing with this disease should be made mandatory.