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Sayyed Nasrallah’s Full Speech on the Victory of the Islamic Revolution’s 40th Anniversary

Sayyed Nasrallah’s Full Speech on the Victory of the Islamic Revolution’s 40th Anniversary
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Translated By Staff, Hezbollah Media Relation 

In the name of Allah the Most Gracious the Merciful. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, and prayers and peace be upon our Master and Prophet, the Seal of the Prophets, Abi al-Qassim Mohammad bin Abdullah and his good and pure household and his good and chosen companions and all the prophets and messengers.

Peace and God's mercy and blessings be upon you all.

I thank you for your attendance and welcome your generous participation in the commemoration of this event. 

Forty days, forty springs, forty dawns and forty risings. 

To begin with, let us greet with peace and pay homage to the soul of our great Imam, His Eminence Imam Sayyed Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini (may Allah sanctify his soul), who was the creator of this victory and the historic leader for this revolution and achievement. Let us also pay homage to the souls of the martyrs who fought, persevered and were martyred with him at the helm, during the days of the revolution, before and after the victory. And to the martyrs who fell during the imposed war against the Islamic Republic.

We extend our highest congratulations and good wishes to Imam of the Ummah, His Eminence the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Sayyed Ali Khamenei.

We congratulate all our distinguished and senior religious authorities, the officials in the Islamic Republic, its proud and loyal people – men and women, young and old – on their day and victory, which was also a victory for Islam, for the Ummah [nation] and for every vulnerable, tormented and oppressed people in the world.

I also congratulate all those who have advocated, supported, loved and backed this Islamic Revolution and its effects in the Islamic Republic for the past 40 years.

Two days ago, we talked about the government and before that during the interview we spoke about many topics in the region. Tonight, I would like to give priority to this occasion.

It is one of the few and rare opportunities that I may have or people like me may have to talk in detail about the Islamic Revolution in Iran and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

We are not just talking about history. We are talking about it to address the present. This present reality represents the regional position of the Islamic Republic of Iran in terms of it being a dominant feature in the headlines and developments. There is no doubt that it is now classified as the most influential regional state. Some international organizations classified it in recent years as being among the world’s 13 most influential countries. There are other international organizations and institutions that classified it among the world’s 9 most influential countries.

Thus, when we talk about Iran now, about the Islamic Republic, about the Islamic Revolution, about a little bit of the past and a lot of the present, we are talking about our region, about our future in the region, our fate and the reality of the major battle in the region. We cannot hide behind our finger and provide false descriptions to our people and our nation.

I divided my speech tonight into three parts:

The first part is a quick glance through history for the sake of recollection as well as learning lessons since many of the present-day generations did not experience that victory. We are talking about a historical event that happened 40 years ago.

The second part is a quick glance at the Islamic Republic during the past 40 years away from the distortion of the offensive media war. We turn the page and look at it from another angel.

The third part, which is the most important and sensitive one to us, is about the present situation and battle, the Islamic Republic’s position in this battle and our position and fate. From this point, we will segue into the broader situation.

In a quick glance and just as a reminder, before the Islamic Revolution in Iran, it was ruled by a monarchy or the ?âhan?âhiye Irân as they used to call it. The Shah of Iran used to call himself the king of kings.
In order to avoid drowning in history, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi ruled Iran. In the early 1960s, of course, Iran was ruled by an authoritarian dictatorship. There were no liberties, no people's will and no priorities. Domestically, he [the Shah] was trying as hard as he could to distance it from its true culture, religion, Islam, sanctities, history and heritage. From another angle, he made it a state subordinate to the United States, which the latter looted. It stole its oil and wealth. It had full control over Iran. It used to rule it until the Shah was overthrown. It was said that there were 40,000 US advisor in different fields, including military, security, culture, economy, media, and politics. Some spoke of 60,000 US advisor managing Iran, whose population was around 30 million at the time.

He [the Shah] also played the role of a servant and a tool for American policies in the region. He was known as the Gulf police. The US did not need the Gulf states for volunteering, plundering money or sending its fleets and building military bases. Shah Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran, carried out this mission. He had a full strategic relationship with “Israel”. He even provided “Israel” with free oil. That is how it was. 

In the early sixties, there was a man from Qom named Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini. He was a great jurist and one of the leading marja’ taqlid [religious reference] in the al-Hawza al-Ilmiyya [Shia Seminary]. He was followed by millions of Iranians. Of course, he started out as a religious reference in Iran. He was knowledgeable, a philosopher, a great Islamic thinker, an exceptional leader and a unique, courageous unrivaled figure. He was a man with a heart that did not know fear and a determination that did not know weakness.

I believe that at the beginning of the sixties, Imam Khomeini did not react. No, he was keeping up and planning under the then religious reference Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Borujerdi, may Allah be pleased with him.

The Imam was watching all the events in Iran, following them closely and preparing for his revolution. He was preparing his students, supporters, project and vision. He timed everything and did not react purely for the sake of reacting.

He was the one who timed the movement against the Shah, especially when he benefited from an opportunity that centered on the Shah’s plans to approve a set of projects – I do not want to talk about them because it needs a long explanation – a range of projects that threatened Iran’s future, economy, agriculture, the internal situation and the stifling freedoms. The most dangerous part was that these projects would have led to the expansion of relations with the US and “Israel” and greater subordination to them. 

This revolution whose 40th victory anniversary we are celebrating today began with one man. At the time, the Imam was already in his sixties. Several religious references, a large number of scholars, a large number of students of the seminaries and a broad segment of Iranian society, including the elites and the general public supported him. And the revolution began.

There is something special about this revolution. The Imam, may Allah be pleased with him, did not normally take part in political debates. He rose for God Almighty. Logically speaking, according to calculations, one plus one equals two. It is natural that the Imam was either going to prison, into exile or he was going to be martyred at any moment. He was either going to be hung in the gallows, killed in one of Qom’s alleys, one of Najaf’s streets or killed anywhere, in Turkey for example.

The Imam did not take any of this into account. The importance and essence of this revolution, since day one, was that it was for God Almighty, it was for the sake of God, in God’s eyes, to please God and a request to be close to God Almighty.

The Imam did not think of worldly things, including money, high standing and power. Those who rose with him did the same thing.

Therefore, throughout the years of this revolution, the scholars, students, teachers, groups, men, women, young and old, in all the provinces endured torture, murder in the streets, massacres, detention, torture in prisons, exile, displacement and murder under torture and starvation. But they did not back down and did not weaken. They did not grieve for one moment at all.

More to the point, in his revolution, the Imam did not only talk about the ideological, religious, Islamic and Quranic dimensions. He also talked about the political and strategic dimensions as well as the subordination of the Shah's regime to America and its relationship to “Israel” and the position of Palestine and the Palestinian. All this is taking place in the sixties. The Imam also spoke about the domestic situation in Iran. He spoke about the agriculture that the Shah destroyed in Iran under the auspices of agricultural reform. He spoke about the corrupt judiciary, the Shah’s massive expenditures and unparalleled waste of resources, his court, punishers, his apparatuses and people. He also spoke about the extreme hunger, the widespread deprivation in the countryside and in the suburbs, the destruction of the industry, the backwardness, illiteracy, disease, poverty and hunger. He even spoke about drinking water and how the people in southern Tehran queued to get drinking water. The Imam spoke about all this.

A while ago, I read from the first statement and sermon the Imam issued all the way to the speech of victory on February 11. All of Imam’s statements and speeches were comprehensive in all the topics that he spoke about and brought up.

National dignity, personal dignity, the dignity of the Iranian army, the dignity of Iranian institutions, the Iranian ministries and personnel, Iran’s position, etc.

Therefore, this revolution can be described as an Islamic, Quranic revolution based on faith. This is with regard to the ideological dimension. It was an Iranian and popular revolution in the national sense. It was the people’s revolution and not a military coup. It was not an uprising of a party or a group of revolutionary parties. The Iranian people, from all segments and strata, and from all provinces participated in this revolution; the revolution of change, reform, life. It is an economic and cultural revolution. It was the revolution of the deprived, the barefoot, the oppressed, the tormented and the vulnerable. Therefore, this revolution joins all qualities and characteristics.

It did not only have political or military dimensions. It was not the result solely of deprivation and social demands. It did not only have a jihad or a strategic dimension. It had all the dimensions. And this is also one of its fundamental and major characteristics.

And most importantly, there was steadfastness, patience and tolerance in this revolution, which led to victory.

It was the divine promise for the oppressed, the tormented and the vulnerable. But what kind of oppressed, tormented and vulnerable? The oppressed, the tormented and the vulnerable who were patient, steadfast and rebellious; the kind of people that sacrificed and refused oppression, slavery, the dominance of the arrogant forces, the occupation of the sanctities. Those patient people were the ones that God promised victory to. Their victory was on February 11, 1979. It was the great victory. This is a quick glance through history.

Now we go into the achievements, which is the second part. I also created an outline for the achievements. It is enough to mention the milestones, God willing. I will not count: one, two, three because there is a lot. But I will start with phrases.

The overthrow of the Shah's regime, which was the most powerful dictatorship in the Middle East, if not the most despotic in the world. This is in itself a great achievement, a huge one, which no one expected.
Forcing the exit of America from Iran, including 40 thousand advisers or 60 thousand of its advisers, companies, experts, thieves and spoilers.

Taking “Israel” out of Iran and the severance of relations with the Zionist entity. Transforming its embassy to the Embassy of Palestine.

Attaining real independence: This was the most important slogan of the revolution, when they used to say, “Istiqlal Azadi Jomhouri Islami”. Independence was the first objective of this revolution and it got it. After 40 years, it still maintains it. This is one of the greatest achievements. Those who run countries and deal with economic conditions and know the pressures in the world, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Security Council, the international community and the United States know what it means to be a state whose decision has been independent for 40 years of. It maintains its independence, sovereignty, its strategic decision as well as its internal decision. It does what it wants and what is consistent with its interests. It also refuses anyone to dictate a decision, policy, strategy or the likes of it. This in itself is a great achievement. This independence surviving for 40 years is a greater achievement. Preserving it for 40 years is the greatest achievement.

Today, Iran is one of the first independent countries in the region. If we count the independent countries, we would get two, three or four independent states. But it [Iran] is among the few independent countries in the world, which is truly independent. Do not imagine that many countries in Latin America, Africa, Asia or even Europe are independent states. A lot of these countries are submissive and subject to American decision and to the dictates of the American will. The independent state which does not follow the east, west, north and south is a state whose national will stems from itself and its people. This is the greatest achievement that Iran is still achieving.

The preservation of Iran with all that it had after the victory: When the revolution triumphed, the oil refineries that existed were not destroyed nor were the oil wells. The state institutions and the Central Bank were not looted. It was not like what happened during the Arab Spring and in many revolutions of the world. Churches were not destroyed. Religious minorities were punished. There was no ethnic conflict. Nothing Iran possessed was destroyed. They [revolutionaries] preserved its people, its capabilities, institutions and everything it possessed. All what Iran possessed belonged to the Ummah and to the people. It is not permissible to touch, steal, loot or dispose of it outside the law and order.

Preserving national unity since the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran: Despite all the American, Western and British efforts in particular to arouse nationalist sentiment in Iran, such as Arab nationalism in Ahwaz and Khuzestan, Kurdish nationalism in Kurdistan [province], some nationalism in Sistan and Baluchistan, and even some nationalism among Shiites in Azerbaijan. The Iranian people and the officials under the Imam managed to maintain national unity and still do.

Resistance in the face of all internal conspiracies and steadfastness in the face of retaliations: Do you remember during the first, second year and third years? There were sedition and murder; martyr Mutahari, martyr Beheshti, senior scholars, senior leaders, President of the Republic, prime minister, a large number of ministers, a large number of deputies, a large number of the Imam’s representatives in the provinces and Friday prayer imams. However, the revolution persevered and overcame all these ordeals and hardship. It began from the first day quickly reconstructing a new government the Imam, may God Almighty be please with him, promised his people. The government was based on popular sovereignty.

Nowadays, we have it in the Arab world. It is translated into democracy. They even used even an original phrase, the popular religious sovereignty or the Islamic popular sovereignty, where the people can express their sovereignty in various forms, including the elections and the referendum. They began forming the new government based on popular sovereignty.

Knowing that millions of Iranian demonstrators, especially in the final year, were calling for an Islamic republic, yet the Imam did not say it is done, this is an Islamic republic. He said I want a referendum, so the people can say yes or no. A referendum was organized, and an overwhelming majority of the Iranian people participated. The overwhelming majority voted for an Islamic republic. After that, the Assembly of Experts for Constitution was elected. The people elected them. They sat down and drafted a constitution. The constitution was then presented in a referendum, and the people expressed their opinion. This means that the Imam did not say from the first day that ‘the situation is difficult and extraordinary and now we cannot hold elections and we cannot hold a referendum and establish an emergency leadership of the revolution for example. Let us see after ten or twenty years.’ No, from the first day he was keen on popular sovereignty. This popular sovereignty is still operating so far. There have been more than 40 elections, 12 presidential elections, parliamentary elections, elections for the Assembly of Experts of the Leadership, referendums – referendums more than those for the constitution and the amendment of the constitution and municipal elections. The elections in Iran did not stop for a day, not even when Saddam Hussein was bombing Iranian provinces and cities. Even though rockets and missiles reached Tehran, they did not extend the term of the president or the parliament or the municipals. Elections were conducted on schedule. We in Lebanon are accused of a little extension. There was a strict commitment to the popular sovereignty and popular expression. Of course, the elections presented different forms of power, including different rulers, and different movements.

Since day one, a war has also been imposed on them. Iran stood firm during the war. We are talking about 40 years of achievements. One of which was Iran’s steadfastness during an eight-year war. Eight years. I want to remind the people and generations that witnessed that stage. A global war was launched against Iran. The western camp at the time was led by the US. The eastern camp was led by the Soviet Union. Everyone was with Saddam Hussein. Most Gulf states or all the Gulf states were with Saddam Hussein. The Arab countries, unfortunately, with the exception of Syria and some other countries were with Saddam Hussein. It was a global war. Saddam Hussein was given everything. Rumsfeld even gave him nuclear weapons. Iran was prevented from getting anything. It was prevented from medicine and even barbed wires, fearing it might use it at the frontlines. Iran fought with its bear hands, men and women for eight years. It persevered, triumphed and foiled the conspiracies. This was one of its great achievements. After this, it started with the reconstruction process. It is a huge process that is still ongoing until this day. It also established internal stability, the government’s structure and the country’s pillars, until it made great strides in its regional position. While Iran was working domestically and fighting an eight-year war, it did not abandon its responsibilities towards the region. It did not abandon Palestine, Lebanon – not even when “Israel” occupied it in 1982 – Syria or any other Arab country. It did not abandon its neighbor Afghanistan when it was being occupied by the Soviet Union at that time.

These are the big headlines, the political headlines, and the strategic headlines. But allow me for the first time to tell you and let the people hear some statistics, regardless of these political headlines, different headlines. During the 40 years – of course there is a big distortion of the image of Iran and there are people who do not know. There are people when they go to Iran and see the cities, they are surprised. One of the great political leaders told me ‘I have lived in the West for decades and did visited many European capitals and cities. But when I saw Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, Tabriz and Mashhad, I was stunned. This is Iran! The cleanliness, trees, civil organization, etc.

Then there is the subject of the Wilayat al-Faqih [Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist]: This is only an introduction to the detailed parts. As if Wilayat al-Faqih [guardianship of the Islamic jurist], a guardianship-based state, a guardianship-based government will present a dark image or a negative image. In the past weeks, I asked some of my brothers, to conduct a comparison between Iran during the time of the Shah and Iran led by the guardianship of the Islamic jurist. What was the result? There are several headlines and strategic cases I’ve spoken about a while back, for example, the industry, health, agriculture, science, universities, sports, the military and others. The Islamic Republic of Iran has been led by the Wali al-Faqih [Islamic jurist]. It was led by Imam Khomeini (may Allah sanctify his soul) for 10 years. After the Imam’s death until today, His Eminence Imam Khamenei, may Allah prolong his life. I am among the people who pray day and night for Allah Almighty to take the rest of my life and prolong his. He is a great, exceptional and historic leader. In my supplication, I do not say take from my life and prolong his. I say take the rest of my life and prolong his. 

During the 40 years until now, when Iran is governed by the Wali al-Faqih, where is it now? The state of law, the constitution and the popular sovereignty and institutions, all these is the guardianship-based state. It is not the state of the dictator, the king, the shah and the prince who governs what he wants. It is the state of constitution, law, institutions and popular sovereignty. Keep in mind that the numbers I will be reading to you now were taken when Iran was under international siege, sanctions from 1979, eight-year war, assassinations of leaders and scientists – last of which were the nuclear scientists who were assassinated in Iran in the past few years, sanctions that are still in place, and enmity from the surrounding countries based on blind and illogical grudges. Also take into account that this revolution inherited the regime of the Shah that has destroyed Iran. The Imam used to say ‘cities have been ruined, while cemeteries are thriving.’ He used to say about the Shah that he filled the cemeteries. Also take into consideration that when the revolution triumphed during the Shah’s time, the population in Iran was 30 million, more or less. Now the population in Iran is 80 million, more or less. I am being cautious with the numbers.

I'll talk a little bit in numbers even if takes a few minutes.

Scientific Knowledge production: There is something called the scientific knowledge production. Sometimes we import knowledge: books, scientists and professors from abroad. In other times, we are a country that produces scientific knowledge. We invent. We have inventions. We have scientific equations. We have scientific articles. We have scientific discoveries and so on. In the time of the Shah, Iran did not have any ranking in the world. It had zero scientific knowledge production.

During the time of the state of the Wali al-Faqih, Iran ranked first in the region in the production of scientific knowledge and seventh in the world in patents. It ranked 16th in the production of scientific knowledge in the world.

I would also like to add a remark. At the beginning, I asked the brothers to conduct a comparison. “Do not bring me the whole world.” let me compare Iran to the countries of the region, the Arab world and the Muslim world. When they did it, it turned out that I would not have a speech because I would say that Iran is the first in so and so and so…

With regard to the region, Iran was the first in a lot of things. Therefore, we will adopt international standards. We will compare Iran during the past 40 years with the countries of the world and not with the countries of the region. The area is very high and huge if we adopted the standards of the countries of the region.

Thus, it ranked 16th in the production of scientific knowledge.

Universities: When the revolution triumphed in 1979, there were 223 universities and scientific institutions over 40 years. That is more than 3000 universities and scientific institutions. In the time of the Shah, I cannot remember now except one or two. This is what we found. There is no mention of Iran by any professor or international thinker in the scientific articles. I am speaking in the purely scientific subject when I say science, that is chemistry, mathematics, engineering, medicine, etc.

Now in Iran, there are more than 200 international professors and thinkers whose scientific articles are published all over the world. During the Shah's time – when I say the Shah’s time it means at the end of 1979. There are some 5500 university professors and scientific bodies. According to an almost two-year old statistics, there are currently 8097 university professors. This is an amazing figure. There are 175,790 university students in Iran, 175,000 students, rounded up to 176,000 students.

There are currently 4,348,000 university students, taking into account that the population has doubled twice. This means 25 times the number of university students. This means that in the past 40 years, they established universities and colleges and brought students and qualified professors. The number of female university students in Iran in 1979 was 6%. Now, 75% of university students are women.

Knowledge and books: In 1979 – the last year of the Shah's rule – 1,500 book titles were published, while last year in 2018, 107,000 book titles were published in various fields of culture and books, in just one year.

The number of books printed during the 40 years before the revolution was 11,000 books, and the number of printed books after the revolution was 11,300,000 books.

There were less than 50 women writers before the victory of the revolution. After the victory of the revolution until today, there are 8000 women authors and writers. There was zero women who published books, that is publishing houses and published work, before the revolution of women. After the revolution, there were 712 women.

Medical specialties: The total medical specialties which include general and specialized medicine, general dentistry, specialized dentistry, pharmaceutical industry, laboratory doctor, obstetricians and licensed groups. Before the victory, there were 5900 specialists. Now in Iran, there are more than 200,000 specialists in medical fields. We are just talking about medicine.

Stem Cells: As you know, a few countries in the world can accomplish this type. Of course, at the time of the Shah there was nothing. Now, the great progress in the field of stem cells and its use in medical treatments, Iran ranks second in the world after America in the science of genetics and stem cells. The state of the Wali al-Faqih is in second place!

The production of medical science: 3080, Iran now is a supplier of various medical sciences, 3097 and decimals. It is a resource in the production of medical sciences.

Kidney transplant: There was 50 kidney transplant cases in the whole of Iran until the downfall of the Shah. During the years of the revolution, there were 50000 cases. 50000 kidney transplant cases! According to scientific statistics, you know, people have to their turn to secure a kidney. Iran has the shortest waiting time to receive a kidney. This is the state of the Wali al-Faqih.

Hospital beds: In 1979, there were 55,000 beds. Currently, it is triple that number at 148,000. I forgot to tell you that these statistics have nothing to do with the Iranian government. The sources of all of these will be available tomorrow. We will publish them on the Internet. All of them are linked to UN organizations, international institutions and international study centers, of course some of which are in line with some Iranian statistics.

Medicine manufacturing: With respect to the medicine in Lebanon, listen a little bit. Iran in 1979 used to import 70% of its needs for medicine. Now, Iran manufactures 97% of its need for medicine and exports abroad. It is not only self-sufficient, but it exports! That's why the Americans are so afraid of Iranian medicine coming to Lebanon. This, we will talk about later. Iran is 11th in the world in manufacturing medicine.

Vaccines and serums: At the time of the Shah, there was no production of any kind. Everything was imported. Today Iran ranks first in the Middle East in producing vaccines and serums.

Cloning: In any new case, cloning has been accomplished successfully more than once.

Health and safety: The United Nations, the World Health Organization and other organizations are conducting studies in the world on something called Quality of life (QOL). It means the expectations of people in a good life, their outlook at life. Some countries talk about the love of life and the percentage of its people’s QOL. Iran, who they say has the culture of death and martyrdom, has the best QOL in the world.

Let us move a little to the technical. The nanotechnology is very, very precise too.

A few countries in the world have nanotechnology. Today, Iran ranks 4th in the world with regard to articles about nanotechnology. Iran is the 5th in the world in nanoscience. It is 6th in the world regarding countries with nanotechnology. It exports its products to 15 countries in the world.

Specialties in engineering: The “Israelis” commented on this subject. It seems that they have seen some reports in the media under the title of “Israeli” amazement of engineering specialties in Iran. Iran is ranked second in the world in terms of the share of graduates in various engineering fields. It is in first place in the region in mathematics. It is 13th in the world in physics, mathematics, in space science and access to space technology and sending living beings to space. Of course, they send apes there. If only they would send particular people to space instead of monkeys. Iran is one in 11 countries with this kind of technology in the world. It is one of six countries that have managed to send a living thing into space and to return alive. It is not as important to send it alive as it is to bring it back alive.

In scientific development: Iran is the first in the world. In power generation, Iran is the second country in the world. In the index of energy development, the science of energy and nuclear energy, Iran is the first in the region and 12th in the world in both fields. 

Technology production, Iran is the 13th in the world and first in the region. Of course, I am not talking about the period during the Shah because everything I speak of was not present at his time.

The economy: In 1979, Iran’s global economic position was 26. Last year, its position in the world economy was 18.

Agricultural productivity and yields: It is the first in the world in the production of various agricultural yields. 

Non-oil exports: In 1979, Iran’s non-oil export was worth 540 million. Last year, it was worth $ 55 billion. This is the policy of non-reliance on oil.

Military and military manufacturing: In the Shah's time, Iran produced 5% of its defense needs, and it had to buy the rest. Apart from being expensive, there was also corruption, brokering and deals with the US. Today, the Islamic Republic of Iran – the state of the Wali al-Faqih – manufactures 90% of its defensive needs. Its exports to the world are worth 5 billion dollars. It does not only manufacture to meet its needs, it also exports! It manufactures everything, including light weapons, mortar, shells, anti-armor, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, surface-to-surface missiles, air defenses, modern warships, fast vessels, submarines, hovercraft, tanks and armored vehicles, military communications and electronic warfare, radar systems, complex military systems, sensors, fighter jets and reconnaissance planes, navigation systems and the fastest rocket launchers and computers.

With regard to the military subject, it is understood that the US has a problem with it. Europe stands by its side. Everyone. How can Iran possess this scientific ability, scientists, intellectual energies, its own capabilities, its money, and its minds? That is what is important. 

A certain country might tell you ‘I, too, want to manufacture planes and missiles. But it would get its experts from the West and Japan. South and North Korea. The funding is national. The item is made in the country. But the engineers, thinkers, planners and those implementing it are all foreigners. This is not called domestic production.

Well, this is in the defense industry. In the shipbuilding industry, there was nothing. Now, Iran manufactures ships, boats and hovercraft. 

The aircraft industry: There was nothing [in 1979]. For the first time in its history, now Iran is manufacturing small and medium size planes. Here, I am talking about civilian industries.

Automotive industry: Iran is the world's 12th largest automobile manufacturer. It is the 16th in the world in the transportation industry. 

Dams: Mashallah, the figures are huge. I want to start cutting it down. 

Steel industry: It is the 10th in the world in the steel industry. 

Electricity: We stopped a bit when spoke about medicine. We will stop a little bit when we talk about electricity. Lebanon is a little more than 10452 square kilometers. I do not know what the exact population is. If included the refugees and the displaced in the population, we make a big country. We do not lack the minds, intelligence, understanding, or experts. Yet, we confuse ourselves when it comes to the subject of electricity. Iran’s population is 80 million. Yet it is self-sufficient and sells electricity to neighboring countries, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, central Asian countries and Iraq. I don’t know now what they did with Syria. They were ready to give electricity to Iraq. And Syria would be given from this share. In return, Syria will give Lebanon at low and modest prices.

80 million people and they do not have an electricity problem. They have electricity 24 hours a day. In 1979, 16% of the Iranian towns had access to electricity. Now, I want to be careful, 99% of the Iranian towns and villages have access to electricity. 

Gas: 51 thousand Iranian families had access to gas. Today, 20 million people have access to gas. Gas reaches the household through pipes. In the state of the Wali al-Faqih, gas is sent through pipes. They do not stand in lines or buy gas canisters. They open the taps and they get gas.

Drinking water: 95% of the people, including villagers have access to drinking water. During the Shah’s rule, 30% of the population had access to drinking water. By the way, Iran is the 7th in the world for the cheapest drinking water.

Benzene: It has the second cheapest price of benzene in the world. It has the third cheapest gasoline.
Charities: The organizations that cares for orphans, the poor, the needy, and the elderly. There were a few of them before the victory. The regime had nothing to do with them during the Shah's time. Now, there are more than 150 thousand charities due to the revolution, faith, religiousness, the Islamic system, the Imam and the leader. These charities care for the orphans, children, families, the poor and the needy.

Highways: Highways, road network, road tunnels. There is a large number of them. We will talk about the tunnels in a bit. In 1979, the total number of tunnels in Iran was 5900. Now, that number double by 30. The tunnels are 177 thousand km long.

Railway and the metro: Iran is the 15th in the world for the number of metro passengers. It is the second in the world with regard to the speed of manufacturing the metro. It is the ninth in the world for the number of metro lines. 

Irrigation and drainage networks: The number of irrigation and drainage networks extended in Iran in 1979 was 550,000 km. Today, there are two million and 300 thousand km.

We conclude with sports. Of course, there are still a lot of things. But, I want to leave a few minutes for the third part.

Sports: In a lot of the individual sports, you can see, that it is the first in the world, the second in the world or the third in the world. There is a long list in front of me. There are hard names in front of me. It will take me time reading them. 

Women's sports: Before the revolution, there were five international medals won by Iranian women athletes. After the revolution, 160 international medals were won in international and international competitions and taking into account the sharia disciplines, that is wearing the hijab. That did not prevent these women from winning 160 gold medals in international competitions. There were 9 female coaches. Since the victory of the revolution, there are now 35 thousand female coaches. In the past, there were 7 types of sports for women. Women, at the time of the Shah, were not allowed to practice sports. They were required to do something else. That something else was understood. Today, there are 143 types of female sports. Where do these sports, medicine, science, culture, libraries, universities, production and technology exist? As the Lebanese say, they are not in a king’s, Shah’s or dictator’s state. They exist in the state of Islam, in the Islamic Republic, in the state of law, constitution and institutions, in the state of religion and religious and moral values, in the state of popular sovereignty, in the state of Wali al-Faqih and in the state of Imam Khomeini and Imam Khamenei.

However, if I list out all the agriculture, minerals and all the technologies, we will stay here until the morning. Where is Iran’s position today internationally and globally? God willing, I will, the media and social networking sites can help, present this image. 

The political life: During the Shah’s time, there were two or three parties. He used to toy with them and distribute the roles. Today, there are 250 political parties and associations in Iran. They criticize and attack each other to a frightening extent.

Well, this is Iran. Of course, this does not mean and we are not saying that there are no problems in Iran. There is a certain degree of poverty and unemployment. The Iranian people have high expectations. Their dreams and hopes are truly great. They have the right to have these hopes and dreams. There are problems in Iran. Some are because of the sanctions. Others are because of administrative cases or internal differences. No one is denying this. His Eminence, the leader speaks about this. The president, the heads of forces, deputies, the cabinet as well as the Iranian press talk about this. It is not hidden. But we have to be fair and present a different picture. This is the state. Where is this country? It is here, brothers, in Asia, west Asia. This is a country in the Middle East. It is a country present in the Arab and Islamic world. This Arab and Islamic world imports the overwhelming majority of its need in all the fields. Its participation and presence in manufacturing, technology, and science production is limited. I did not want to mention numbers of other countries and tell you its ranking, so that no one says ‘if Sayyed tonight wants to praise Iran, then let him praise it. But leave the others alone. I am leaving the rest of the world alone.’ This is Iran. Of course, this could not have happened without hard work, patience, sacrifices, conviction, endurance, discipline, harmony and national unity as well as the presence of His Eminence the Leader and the sacrifices of the officials. This is the result. It is not just because there are people in the mosques praying. After a while, you’ll see them [the Iranians] the first in nanoscience, or this number in something else. I don’t know. It is not because of supplications. It is because of science, work, research, effort, agriculture, tiredness, using the mind, hunger, poverty, endurance, enduring hardship and enduring all the difficulties that they have suffered until now.

We come to the third part, the last section. It is all right if we took a little time too. When the revolution triumphed in our region, it accomplished great achievements that still persist. I will also mention subheading quickly. The revival of religion, not just Islam. People returned to religion. People respected religion. We all remember the seventies. Everything that is called religion everywhere, not just in our region but also in the whole world. Reviving Islam. The ability of Islam to mobilize people, nations and wills. Also, its ability to revive the confidence of the people in themselves and their ability to face dictatorships and tyrants. Reviving the people’s trust in their God and reviving their faith in their ability to create victory over the tyrants and the occupation forces. One of the greatest achievements of the revolution when it triumphed was confronting the American hegemony. There was a man, whose name was Imam Khomeini. The people of Iran supported him. He said ‘no’, a great and strong ‘no’ to the Americans. There was no room for bargaining, making peace, fear, weakness or humiliation, not in the field, not in politics, not in economy, not in technology, not in the military and not on any front.

Facing American hegemony and US control over Iran and the region, was one of the achievements throughout the 40 years.

Confronting the Zionist project. This project had accomplished a historic achievement in favor of the establishment of the entity in the signing of Camp David and the exit of Egypt from the Arab front. The victory of the Islamic Revolution came to restore balance to our region and to set up a huge and impenetrable barrier. This barrier grew stronger and greater in the face of the Zionist project during the forty years. The Islamic unity project has not seen the Muslims in their different sects, especially the Sunnis and the Shiites, come close, cooperate and coordinate throughout history the way it did after the victory of the revolution and today. The culture of rapprochement between the segments of the Ummah [nation], including the Muslims, the Christians, the nationalists, the patriots as well as the culture of having common goals are also founded by the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Supporting the resistance movements in the region, supporting the Palestinian people and the resistance in Palestine, supporting the resistance in Lebanon, supporting the axis of resistance and the resistance countries in the region. This is a great achievement. Otherwise, during forty years America and “Israel” would have controlled everything due to the Arab weakness. In 1982, when they invaded Lebanon, they did not enter to later leave. They entered to stay. The existing project was from the Nile to the Euphrates. It was Great “Israel”, Greater “Israel” or whatever you want. The final role of the Islamic Republic and the Islamic revolution is confronting terrorism and Takfirism.

Simply, Trump admitted that the US created Daesh in Iraq as a pretext to return to Iraq. The religious authority in Najaf, and His Eminence, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, issued the fatwa. The Iraqi government took responsibility. The circumstances were hard. There were problems regarding the weapons, the depots and organization. A great number of provinces fell quickly. The Islamic Republic quickly intervened from the very beginning. Its generals, officers, cadres, led by brother and great Mujahid Hajj Qassem Soleimani, headed to Iraq. It sent weapons, cannons and ammunition from the border provinces. The Islamic Republic was prepared to go further than this in championing the Iraqi people in confronting Daesh [Arabic acronym for “ISIS” / “ISIL”]. Imagine if Iran did not exist. Imagine if the ruler in Iran was Mohammad Reza Pahlavi or someone like Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

Also in Syria. It stood by Syria and supported it in confronting the global war. Imagine if Iran did not exist either.

Even us in Lebanon, we confronted and fought in Syria. We fought at the eastern chain and along the border. But frankly speaking and this is not hidden, did the Lebanese state finance this battle! Was it the one that covered the expenses of the army? We fought for years. Our weapons, ammunition, our money, our support, bread and medicine … Our sick, our wounded and our martyrs … the Islamic Republic stood by us. Imagine what was happening in the region. I do not want to talk to more sensitive files such as Yemen, Bahrain, etc.

Imagine if the Shah was in Iran or those ruling Iran were America’s people, or if the people ruling Iran were not concerned with the matters in the region. What would become of region in the face of this global war on Iraq and Syria? Lebanon was next on this global war. Now the global war is on Palestine, the Palestinian cause, the people of Gaza, the people of the West Bank and even the families of the martyrs, the detainees and the freed prisoners and their salaries in Palestine. These are also some of the achievements.

We reached a place where we are in a battle. Brothers and sisters, let's describe what has been going for the last 40 years correctly so we know where we stand in this battle. Let no one deceive us, cheats us and convince us with mere slogans. Today, for example, most Arab and international media present a dark black image of Iran and remain silent on dictatorships, the most corrupt regimes and the ugliest regimes and rulers who loot their people while their people live in poverty, hunger, illiteracy and unemployment throughout our Arab and Islamic world. We even give them titles, I do not know how.

Let us go back to the description. Some say an “Israeli”-Iranian war is what is happening in our region. It is not true. Others say it is a Saudi war or a Saudi-Iranian conflict. We want to be isolated from the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran. This is not true. Of course, in the region, even some of our friends and supporters say so. That what is happening in the region is a Saudi-Iranian conflict. First if we talk about “Israel’s” conflicts in the region with the Palestinian people, the Lebanese people, the Syrians, the Jordanians, the Egyptians and all the Arab people. It was also fighting a war against our sanctities before the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979. These have been going on from 1948 and before. This is one.

Two, this is not a Saudi-Iranian conflict. The exact description of this conflict is an American war on the Islamic Republic of Iran since 1979 until today and will continue. Saudi Arabia is a tool in this war. Some of the Gulf states are tools in this war. Saddam Hussein, who introduced himself as the knight of Arabism and the Qadisiyah, was a small tool for Rumsfeld and the Americans in this war. Those who are fighting Iran today, the Islamic Republic of Iran, through the media, politics, sanctions, destruction and Takfirism are carrying out an American project only. Muhammad Bin Salman admitted that after 1979 America asked Saudi Arabia to work on spreading Wahhabism in the world. Why? He did not say why. He did not explain. The world turning to Islam, and there is the Khomeini version, the Wahhabi version and there are other versions [of Islam]. They told the Al Saud to promote the Wahhabi version in the world. Thus today we have two models. We have the Islamic Republic of Iran, and we have another model. For example, why are they insisting on calling it the organization of the Islamic State? We call it Daesh. What was Trump saying today? The Islamic State organization. The whole world insists on calling it the Islamic State Organization, why? Because when you say the Islamic Republic, you are talking to me about technology, science, sports, medicine, development, industry, drinking water, cheap benzene, electricity and gas reach all homes, popular sovereignty, elections, freedoms, dignity, honor, pride and life and the hereafter. Then another time you present me with an Islamic state that stands for decapitation, destroying churches, mosques and religious shrines, burning of flags, cursing, insults, dismembering, opening chests and eating livers, burning prisoners in their cells, flooding entire areas in water and total destruction. This is the Islamic state which America wants. And the former is the Islamic state that Imam Khomeini wants. The Islamic state belonging to Daesh was the state that Saudi Arabia was asked to promote its culture in the world. It spent more than $ 200 billion in doing so.

Therefore, they are tools in the war. There is no Saudi war. Who is Saudi Arabia to wage a war or a confrontation project against Iran? Saudi Arabia and others are tools in the American war. Pay money here. Come to Syria and pay money. They go and pay the money. Send Takfiris, they send. Send weapons, they send. Say this, they say. As far as managing a project or a plan for a project and managing a strategy, there is none.

The correct description for what is happening in our region – accept this frankness from me for once, this extreme clarity in describing the situation – I would like to tell no just the Lebanese but to the Syrians, Iraqis and the people of the region, North Africa and the Arab and Islamic people. So that they do not get confused ever. 

Well, why does America insist on launching a war against Iran? For two reasons. Here, we will address the people in Iran. The first reason is that Iran is a sovereign and independent country that makes its own decisions. Iran has its own oil, gas, steel, iron, minerals, massive and great human resources, massive and great natural resources, rivers, seas, border, ports, its skies and its land. It does not submit to the Americans and does not work for them. It works for the interests of its own people and state. The Americans cannot fathom this.

Are the Americans now going to Venezuela for democracy or for the largest reserves of oil and gold in the world? Trump, whose mind only thinks about dollars and oil, wants democracy in Venezuela? Let him see the democracy among his allies here in the region. He only wants oil. Iran is the same thing to America. Here, I want to ask the Iranian people who know this fact. But there are fallacies from the outside and some in Iran who are working with these fallacies. Why do the Americans have a problem with Iran? Here comes the second reason. So the first reason is Iran's independence, Iran's own capability and benefiting from its own resources.

The second reason is Iran's regional position, its support for the oppressed and the vulnerable, its genuine position on the subject of Palestine, al-Quds and the religious sanctities and its support for the resistance movements. I tell you that the whole world may abandon Palestine. But the Islamic Republic of Iran will not abandon Palestine or al-Quds or the religious sanctities. There is another valid reason. Iran supports Hezbollah, Hamas, the Islamic Jihad, and Palestinian resistance factions. Iran helped Iraq. Iran helped Syria. It has a different position in Yemen and Bahrain. That is why the Americans are pressing on it. But let us precise. This is the second reason, not the first. In 1979, the Americans mobilized the whole world against the Islamic Republic and the Imam. There was no Hezbollah, no Hamas and no Islamic Jihad. Iran did not support the factions. It did not have a political position. It did not intervene in Syria. It did nothing in Iraq. Everything that is being said in the region did not exist at all. Despite that, the Americans imposed war on Iran, killed its scientists and leaders and besieged it. The sanctions on Iran are not because of its support for Hezbollah and the resistance and Lebanon and Palestine. The sanctions on Iran were imposed from 1979. Hezbollah was established in 1982. The Islamic Jihad and Hamas were established after 1982. Thus, this fallacy should be paid attention to.

America's problem with Iran, brothers and sisters, is the fact that it is an independent state and not a policeman for the US. Otherwise, it did not need to come with all these armies and fleets. Today, what does Trump say? He says ‘we have a problem. We spend trillions on our armies and troops for their presence. We must find a solution for this.’ The Shah was the solution. He wants Iran to be the solution again. Iran is not. Therefore, the war on Iran in all its forms will continue as long as Iran with its officials, scientists, religious authorities, elites and people. It is so regardless of any debates and disputes. Iran’s freedom, independence, sovereignty and its national and Islamic dignity are a red line for the Iranians.

They will not give them up. This is the reality that will persist in the region until the US backs down and is defeated the same way it was in 1979. From 1979 until today, America’s is facing defeats and its projects are failing in our region. “Israel” is also facing defeats. More defeats will come. Iran will continue to stand by the people of the region and with the movements in the region. It will bear the consequences of this stance. We are grateful for this. Its stance stems from its religious faith, Islamic commitment, deep morale and its civilization. This is Iran. This is the people of Iran. This is the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Therefore, based on all of this we see that the conflict in the region will continue and may take different forms. However, today the Islamic Republic is the strongest country in the region. The axis of resistance today is stronger than ever before despite all that has happened to us and to the countries and people of this axis in the past few years. America will further withdraw out of the region, more and more. “Israel” will feel more fear and panic. And it knows it. This Zionist entity knows that some of those it is normalizing ties with today are a group of helpless losers, who cannot change any of the equations in the region. Yes, they have a lot of money and long tongue, a lot of media. But that does not do anything to the real equations and the essence of the existing and ongoing conflict in the region.

Can “Israel” wage war on Iran? This is over. It is enough to smile at it.

Which regional country wants to wage war on Iran? This is over. Saddam's war on Iran was a war backed by the Gulf’s money and an American decision. It is over. Today, who? Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates want to wage war against Iran! Both are helpless in their war against our besieged and oppressed Yemeni brothers whose financial and living conditions are hard. These countries want to fight Iran! Thus, who will launch a regional war against Iran?

Some are predicting an American war against Iran. There is, in any case, a lot of debate on this. Of course, the leader, may God protect him, say there is no war. The logic, equations, account of interests, balance of power and deterrence say so. There is no war on Iran because of Trump’s generosity. No, it is because Iran is capable. Iran is strong domestically. Iran is strong in the region. It will not be alone at all when a war is launched against it because the fate of our region, our people and our religious sanctities are linked to the fate and existence of this blessed Islamic regime. So, an American war on Iran is not a walk in the park. The only option available to them is sanctions. He is betting on that. Several months ago and after he withdrew from the nuclear deal, Trump said – for you to see what kind of person is running the world, pay attention to his information – since America withdrew from the nuclear deal there has been hundreds of thousands of daily demonstrations in Iran. Where are they, my dear? If 10 people protested in Iran, some Arab satellite channels will exaggerate. If 10 people demonstrated in any square in Tehran, where are they? After that, he waited for November 14 of last year when the sanctions actually take effect. He was expecting millions were expected to take to the streets and bring down the regime. Nothing happened, because the brothers in Iran work and manage their situation. They solve their crises and deal with them. It is true there are difficulties. But there is a responsible leadership, a responsible state and a responsible regime. There are elites and people who watch, ensure accountability, follow up and stopped this battle. But this bet is still on. The sanctions against Iran and us as well as all the resistance movements are in place. There is still betting on internal strife and internal conflicts. That is their last resort. God willing, with the wisdom of the Islamic Republic’s great leader and officials as well as the patience of its people, Iran will overcome this ordeal, the sanctions ordeal. Aren’t we also affected? I do not hide. We are affected. But we manage our situation. We will also overcome these hardships with our faith, patience, steadfastness, morale, will and unrelenting determination. Thus, this is the horizon. The horizon is the victory for this axis and the defeat of the other project, the defeat of America and those in the American camp. I am talking now about the big countries in the region. As an advice to all the countries in the region, brother, stop a moment and meditate, reconsider. You have the opportunity to befriend a brotherly like Iran. Since the very first day Imam Khomeini came, he reached out his hand to everyone. He told them from the very beginning ‘look we are Islamists. There is a discussion of one Islamic state.’ Even we, Hezbollah, were part of this discussion of a great Islamic nation and one Islamic state. If someone spoke of a state and borders, there are some Islamists who would and still do call him an infidel. The Imam, the Wali al-Faqih and marja’, said ‘this is Iran, its border and the state of Iran. You are in the Arab and Islamic world. I am not calling for one Islamic state. I am not even calling for a caliphate’ – so they don’t say the Imam wants to appoint himself a caliph and cancel all entities and countries. No he said ‘I don’t want your countries, borders, constitution, and people. Let us create a union of Islamic countries.’ This was the Imam’s project since day one in 1979. He wanted to create a union of Islamic countries and develop the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to become something similar to the European Union. Each country will preserve its border, state, entity, traditions and culture. Honestly, today some might say that I am a friend of the Iranians. ‘You are accused.’ I am just speaking out the 40-year experience of the Arab and Islamic people. The Islamic Republic does not want anything from you. It does not want your gas, your oil, or your minerals. The Americans and the Europeans want to steal those. It does not want anything from you. It does not want your weapons, money, your dinars, your dirhams and your liras. Iran is prepared to give from its weapons, money, oil and gas. It is ready to help, develop, support and provide technology and science. From day one, Iran extended the hand of friendship, and it was met with war. It extended the hand of brotherhood, and swords were drawn to cut it off. The world conspired against it. For eight years, they destroyed its cities and villages. They killed hundreds of thousands of its men, women and children. After the war, Iran extended the hand of brotherhood and friendship, even to those who killed, destroyed and conspired against it. This is Iran. Why do you turn your back on a country like Iran that has offered to be a friend, an ally and a brother, a country with humane values and is a cultural, scientific, material resource? Why do you fight it and conspire against it?

In Lebanon, we have great challenges. When our brother Mohamed Fneish was the minister of energy, we put a plan in place and sent a delegation to Iran. Iran produces massive amounts of electric power. When I asked them how much we needed in Lebanon, they told me ‘it is simple and easy to solve’. We came up with ideas and proposals. I am telling you, Iran has a solution to the problem of electricity in Lebanon. To them this is a walk in the park. Do the Lebanese as well as the government have {Hasten towards the best of action}? Does this government, which we are part of, dare to say ‘we want a solution to the electricity problem in Lebanon. Iran is ready. We will to talk to them. And the problem is solved.’? Now the biggest catastrophe in Lebanon and the biggest problem awaiting us in the Cabinet is electricity. From now I am telling you that the people are waiting for each other to make mistakes in the government. This issue needs a solution, prayers from the Lebanese people and that people understand each other. Because we want to solve this problem. Iran is ready, and it is easily capable of providing it in less than a year. I'm not saying it will help us for free, but at very low prices.

The issue of sanitation is like the electricity. It is a disaster. There is corruption in this file. The subject of health in general. Why will we continue to import medicine? Why don’t we manufacture medicine? What do we lack to manufacture medicine? We used to manufacture medicine in Lebanon. Syria manufactures medicine. Turkey manufactures medicine. Iran manufactures medicine. Will we continue to manufacture medicine? Why? Why will we continue to be the followers of others? The Islamic Republic is able to provide for us a huge qualitative transformation in Lebanon. It can help us lower the price on the state and the Lebanese people as well as poor citizens by hundreds of millions of dollars annually. I am not exaggerating. Let us cooperate. The problem will start from now over Iran and the Iranian medicine. 

There is also the subject of the tunnels, is this a scene? Is Beirut city a scene in the winter! Every winter, we insult, curse and blame each other. And the result is people get stuck for three to four hours on the roads and drowning in water and sewage. I remember during the government of Prime Minister Mikati, an Iranian delegation came because they had extensive experience with tunneling. They said they were ready to finance it as a loan and that they were ready to complete a network of tunnel to solve the traffic problem in Beirut and the suburbs of Beirut. To advance it by 50 years. We do not want one dime from Lebanon and we offer it to you as a loan. And we agree to extend a long-term loan. My brother, we are ready to commit that when the loan is paid we will not take it back to Iran. We will use it in social and service projects in Lebanon.

Would the Lebanese government dare to accept? Now, if we bring this offer again? I do not want to continue because there is not enough time anyway.

Iran is a friend and a brother. Iraq is open to Iran. It is benefiting from Iran and cooperating with Iran. Syria is cooperating with Iran and benefiting from Iran. This is Lebanon. Why is it afraid? Why is it always worried?

Regarding the military issue: The “Israeli” planes violate our airspace. I would like to put forward a hypothesis. If Hezbollah had a defense system and was capable of shooting down the “Israeli” air force that is violating Lebanese sovereignty – constructive ambiguity is important – and if Hezbollah, shot down an “Israeli” jet from Lebanese skies into Lebanon, would it not provoke many people in Lebanon and say that Hezbollah will drag Lebanon into war? Is this country sovereign? I am telling you that the army has no air defenses. I have not spoken to the Iranians. You have a new government. I will be straightforward. I am a friend of Iran. I am ready to bring the Lebanese army an air defense system from Iran. Make a decision. The Lebanese Army is not allowed to have qualitative missiles in the face of the tanks. The Lebanese army is not allowed to have deterrent missiles. It is forbidden to have surface-to-surface missiles. What do the Americans give the Lebanese Army? They bring it some backward equipment. I do not know what they give the army. They give the army equipment from their bases in Germany they want to shut down, a few armored vehicles and light ammunition. I apologize for this talk if it upsets someone in the army. But this is for your sake. I am also a friend of Iran. Whatever the Lebanese army needs to be stronger, I am prepared to head to Iran and bring it. What we need in Lebanon, brothers and sisters, is boldness. Before boldness, we need real sovereignty. When the Lebanese meet at the cabinet and see what is in the best interest of the Lebanese people and must work for their benefit, the Americans will be upset. The Europeans will be upset. I don’t know who will be upset. Let them be upset. Who will provide us with the substitute? There is no problem. We want an air defense system. Let them give us. If the Americans gave the Lebanese army an air defense system, we do not have a problem. Let them solve the electricity problem. We do not have a problem. Whereas you are not allowed to cooperate with the Islamic Republic, take weapons, electricity, medicine and tunnels, while you remain in sewage, hunger, poverty, darkness, and debt. 

The Lebanese today will say ‘look at where we started and where the speech ended’. But that is the truth.
In conclusion, there is a great, sincere, faithful friend who does not want anything from us. I swear it does not want anything from us. We are Hezbollah, my brother. We follow the Wilayat al-Faqih. Day and night, they mock us with it. Do not mock us. It is a source of pride for us. I have been the secretary general since 1992. The Wali al-Faqih has never once asked anything of me or ordered me to do anything. Iran is not asking anything of me and did not ask anything of Hezbollah. Has Iran asked anything of our Palestinian brothers, who have a relationship with it and it supports? Fight or do not fight. Reconcile or do not reconcile. Nothing of that, ever. They make the decisions regarding Palestine. When it comes to Lebanon, we are the decision-makers. Iran does not dictate anything and does not ask of us anything. On the contrary, it is known in the region that we are a Lebanese party and a decision-maker in Lebanon when it comes to us. We are Iran’s partners in the region. Therefore, I am saying the Wali al-Faqih respects us.

This is our experience with the Wali al-Faqih. Where did Iran interfere in Lebanon? With what? How many times did I deliver a speech and challenged people? I want someone to tell me for example that Iran interfered in Lebanon or asked Hezbollah for something. This is a 40-year-old truth. Why do we ignore the friend and the strong, knowledgeable and capable brother? Why do we ignore the one who can support and help our army and resistance when we want to protect our country? Why ignore who can support us in development, in solving our domestic problems, in science and in international forums? Why do we insist on turning our backs to Iran and give our necks to others? Everyone knows what they do with our necks.

This is tonight’s night. I want to conclude. The guys have prepared a three-day cultural media festivals at the complex. There are seminars, meetings, discussions, book displays and activities. Tonight, we will consider this celebration as a launch of the cultural media festival marking the 40th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution. I would like to draw the participants’ attention. In this exhibition, there is a book titled ‘Victory Comes With Patience’. The book is penned by His Eminence, the Leader, Imam Khamenei in his Arabic. You should know that his Arabic is more beautiful, stronger and more eloquent than that of those who appoint themselves as leaders of the Arab world. With his Arabic, he narrates his memories from birth until the victory of the revolution, from his birth to the victory of the revolution to him being president of the republic. He narrates in a beautiful Arabic tongue. I personally met with the Leader and spoke with him in Arabic. I hear his Arabic. I heard some of his lessons in Arabic. But I was surprised with the eloquence, mellowness, solidity and beauty of the language of the book. He also wrote the introduction in Arabic with his left hand. Take a look at the handwriting. The handwriting seems to resemble Persian but it is Arabic. 

I hope, God willing, that you will enjoy reading this book because His Eminence the Leader liked to address the Arab youth and the Arab people directly in their language and express to you what I have mentioned in the beginning. It is a personal experience. It is the memories of His Eminence the Leader about the great sacrifices, injustices, hardship and pains that he and many of his supporters as well as Imam Khomeini’s friends endured in this revolution. Therefore, this book is important and blessed. I hope that God willing it grabs your attention. Of course, as I am unable to be among you and we want to officially launch [the festival], we wish from our dear brother, His Eminence Sheikh Naim Qassem, God willing, when I finish my speech to launch the cultural media festival.

I apologize for taking too long because it is about forty years. We spoke for an hour and a half. We had to speak for an hour and a half. This is our path. This is our destiny. This is our way. May you be blessed and good luck, God willing. Since the time of Imam Khomeini and the victory of the Islamic Revolution, we entered the era of victories, the victories of the nation, the oppressed and the vulnerable. It will, God willing, be completed with final victories.

Many happy returns to you. Peace, God's mercy and blessings be upon you all.