Leader Rejects Negotiations Driven by Bullying Gov’ts, Stresses Economic Reform

TEHRAN (Iran News) The meeting saw Ayatollah Khamenei deliver a blend of spiritual guidance for the holy month of Ramadan and practical directives for governance. He underscored the critical need to improve the economy and people’s livelihoods, urging officials to prioritize unity across all levels of government, reform the currency system, preserve the national currency’s value, support production and investment, expedite decision-making, and combat smuggling decisively.

Reflecting on the previous year’s meeting, Ayatollah Khamenei paid tribute to the late President Ebrahim Raisi, who attended the 2024 session and, he said, is now reaping divine rewards for his efforts. He encouraged officials to view their roles as fleeting opportunities for service, promising divine favor for such an approach.

The Supreme Leader praised President Masoud Pezeshkian’s remarks during the meeting, describing his trust in divine guidance and ambition for major projects as “highly valuable” and “paving the way forward.” He expressed hope that Pezeshkian would soon announce the completion of significant initiatives, bringing joy to the nation.

With Ramadan underway, Ayatollah Khamenei described the month as one of remembrance, calling the Quran a book of mindfulness. He warned against the perils of self-forgetfulness and neglecting God, citing Quranic verses to highlight the dire consequences: divine abandonment and exclusion from mercy and guidance. He urged individuals to combat personal forgetfulness through prayer, piety, and worship, noting that such mindfulness fosters accountability to God.

For officials, he stressed an even greater responsibility, saying divine scrutiny of their actions would be rigorous. “We must be extremely cautious in our behavior, words, and performance, relying more on remembrance, prayer, and supplication,” he advised.

On a societal level, he cautioned against repeating the errors of past regimes, such as the Pahlavi dynasty, which he accused of self-forgetfulness and dependence on foreign powers. Quoting a striking verse from Surah Tawbah, he warned that mirroring such behavior in the Islamic Republic would be a grave offense with devastating consequences. While acknowledging that Iran has so far avoided this fate, he urged vigilance to preserve the revolution’s identity and principles.

Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated that Iran’s system, rooted in Quranic ideals, cannot follow Western civilization, though it could adopt beneficial elements from anywhere, including the West. He lambasted Western colonialism, resource exploitation, mass killings, and hypocritical stances on human rights and women’s issues. He dismissed claims of free information flow in the West as a “lie,” pointing to censorship of figures like Qassem Soleimani and Hassan Nasrallah on Western social media platforms, as well as suppression of criticism of Israeli actions in Palestine and Lebanon.

Western media’s portrayal of Iran, he argued, amplifies flaws while ignoring scientific progress, massive public gatherings, and systemic achievements. Citing Western sociologists, he predicted the ongoing decline of Western civilization, asserting Iran’s duty to chart its own path.

Turning to domestic challenges, Ayatollah Khamenei acknowledged economic struggles since the early 2010s, attributing many threats—security and intelligence-related—to enemies aiming to undermine livelihoods and discredit the Islamic Republic’s governance. While recognizing sanctions as a factor, he insisted they are not the sole issue, urging focus on internal solutions.

He called for cohesive government action, criticizing delays between ideation and execution. “Speed is essential,” he said, lamenting indecision among some managers who avoid risks to evade scrutiny. “God questions not just our actions but our inactions,” he warned.

Highlighting Iran’s untapped potential—innovative youth, natural resources like oil and minerals—he stressed the need to leverage these strengths. He condemned bidirectional smuggling as a persistent economic drain unrelated to sanctions and pushed for currency reform to bolster the rial, enhance purchasing power, and restore national pride. “Economic Reform”

Production support, legal backing, and investment facilitation were also prioritized, with a call for government and citizens to favor domestic goods over imports. He noted that sanctions aim to deter foreign investment but insisted internal reforms could counter this.

In his closing remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei endorsed an active foreign policy, including ties with neighbors, but rejected negotiations with “bullying” powers. “Their goal isn’t problem-solving but domination and imposition,” he said, accusing them of using talks to curb Iran’s defensive capabilities and international ties—demands Iran will never accept.

He alleged these powers stoke public doubt by feigning readiness to negotiate, only to blame Iran for refusals. Referencing the 2015 nuclear deal, he criticized European signatories for failing to honor commitments after the U.S. withdrawal, calling their accusations against Iran shameless. “There’s no alternative but to stand firm against coercion,” he concluded, reaffirming Iran’s resolve.