TEHRAN (Iran News) “The expressions of the Qur’an regarding the identity and character of women are the highest and most progressive,” Ayatollah Khamenei said in a meeting in Tehran.

In a speech citing the qualities of Fatima al-Zahra (SA), the beloved daughter of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him), Ayatollah Khamenei said the Iranian woman “takes lessons from such a sun”.

The Leader described Fatima as “an exalted human being adorned with the highest qualities in all arenas”, including worship and humility, selflessness and sacrifice for the people, resilience in hardships and tribulations, courageous defense of the rights of the oppressed, elucidation and clarification of truths, understanding and political action, housekeeping, managing a household and raising children, and participation in significant events in early Islamic history.

“The Iranian woman, thank God, takes guidance and lessons from such a sun, who, according to the Prophet, is the leader of all women in all times, and moves in accordance with her goals,” he said.

He said women and men in Islam have “equal roles in the life and history of humanity” and “equal opportunity to reach spiritual perfections,” adding that those who misunderstand religion or reject it “are in contradiction” with these principles.

“In Islam, in social activities, business, political activity, attaining most governmental positions, and in other arenas, women have equal rights with men, and in spiritual conduct and individual and public efforts, the path to their advancement is open,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.

Ayatollah Khamenei criticized Western culture, saying: “The corrupt Western and capitalist culture is completely rejected from the perspective of Islam.”

The Leader said Islamic limitations on gender interaction, dress and modesty are aimed at preserving the dignity of women and controlling dangerous and powerful sexual desires, adding that Western culture pays no attention to such issues.

“In Islam, to preserve women’s dignity and control very strong and dangerous sexual desires, there are limitations and rulings regarding ‘interaction between women and men, women’s and men’s dress, women’s hijab, and encouragement of marriage,’ which are entirely in line with women’s nature and the real interests and needs of society; whereas the control of endless and destructive sexual desires in Western culture is completely ignored.”

The Leader described men and women in Islam as “two balanced elements with many commonalities and some differences arising from the body and nature”.

“These two complementary elements play a role in managing human society, continuing the human race, advancing civilization, meeting societal needs, and managing life,” he said.

Among the rights of women, he cited justice in social and family behavior, security, dignity and respect, and equality of wages in the same job, as well as insurance for working women and special leave provisions.

Ayatollah Khamenei said that forming a family is one of the most important roles. “Unlike the neglect of the family institution in the wrong Western culture, in Islam, for ‘women, men, and children’ as elements forming the family, reciprocal and specific rights have been established,” he added.

Ayatollah Khamenei contrasted the Islamic and capitalist views of women.

“In Islam, women have independence, capability, identity, and the possibility of advancement, but the capitalist perspective subordinates and absorbs the woman’s identity into the man and does not respect women’s dignity, treating women as material tools and objects of desire,” he said.

The Leader criticized the destruction of the family structure and harms such as fatherless children, reduced family ratios, gangs targeting young girls, and the increasing promotion of sexual immorality in the name of freedom as major sins of the capitalist culture in the past one or two centuries.

“Western capitalism deceitfully calls this vast array of wrongdoing ‘freedom,’ and even uses this term in our country, whereas this is not freedom but enslavement,” he added.

Ayatollah Khamenei said that despite the West’s insistence on exporting its flawed culture worldwide, claiming that certain restrictions on women, including the hijab, hinder their progress, “the Islamic Republic has disproved this false logic and shown that a Muslim woman, committed to Islamic covering, can move and play roles in all arenas, more than others.”

The Leader praised unprecedented achievements of Iranian women in science, sports, thought, research, politics, social activities, health, life expectancy, and voluntary support, including assisting the spouses of honored martyrs.

“Iran has never in its history had even one-hundredth of this number of learned, thoughtful, and opinionated women, and it was the Islamic Republic that enabled the advancement of women in all major fields.”

Ayatollah Khamenei cautioned the media against promoting Western capitalist views on women, saying when discussing hijab, women’s dress, and cooperation between men and women, domestic media should not repeat or highlight Western perspectives, but rather present the deep and effective Islamic view within the country and in international forums.

“This is the best way to promote Islam and will attract many people around the world, especially women, to it,” the Leader said.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) In a speech in Tehran on Sunday, Ayatollah Khamenei touched on the annual congregation of Hajj, which brings together and unites Muslims from different parts of the world irrespective of their race, color, and culture.

“The Hajj gathering is for the benefit of humanity and there is no benefit for the Islamic Ummah greater than unity,” he told officials and organizers of the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, which able Muslims must make at least once in their lifetime.

“If the Islamic Ummah were united, the issues of Palestine and Gaza would not happen and Yemen would not be pressured like this,” the Leader added.

Gaza is the target of a brutal campaign of aggression by Israel which has killed nearly 53,000 people in the besieged Palestinian territory since October 2023 and left it in total ruin.

U.S., UK and Israeli warplanes have been launching deadly attacks against Yemen since March 15, when U.S. President Donald Trump intensified the campaign that was started by the former administration last year to stop the Arab country’s operations against Israel in solidarity with Gazans.

Ayatollah Khamenei highlighted the political aspect which underpins the role of Hajj, saying that “contrary to the efforts, words, and actions of some who tarnish it, the essence of Hajj is political, its form is political, and its composition is political”.

“Hajj perhaps is the only obligation whose outward form and appearance and its composition are 100 percent political,” the Leader said.

“Gathering people in one place, at one time, every year – everyone who can – the very essence of this gathering together is political.”

Far from being an ordinary pilgrimage and a sightseeing trip, the journey for Hajj is “participation in a very important practice that God Almighty has ordained for the management of humanity – not just the management of believers and Muslims, but for the management of humanity”, the Leader said.

“Hajj is for the administration of humanity. The true Hajj is a service to humanity – not just to yourself, your country and the Islamic Ummah; it is a service to humanity,” he added.

In continuation of his remarks, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution described knowledge and understanding of the goals and various dimensions of Hajj as a necessary prelude for pilgrims of the House of God to correctly fulfill this very important obligation. Citing numerous verses from the Holy Qur’an, he added: the repeated use of the word “tas” (people) in many of the verses related to Hajj shows that God has ordained this obligation for the management of the affairs of all people—not just Muslims. Therefore, a properly conducted Hajj is a service to all humanity.

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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.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) The Leader made the remarks in a meeting with the visiting Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Tehran, describing the Persian Gulf nation as a “friendly and brotherly” country.

Ayatollah Khamenei praised efforts by the administration of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to strengthen ties with neighboring states, as exemplified by the Qatari emir’s visit.

He expressed hope that the agreements made during the visit would be beneficial for both nations, enabling them to fulfill their neighborly duties more than ever before.

The Leader also addressed US policies toward Iran and the wider region, asserting that “there is no difference between the presidents of the United States.”

The Leader pointed to Iran’s funds recently unfrozen and transferred from South Korea to Qatar, noting that the US is the main obstacle preventing their return to Iran.

He said the Islamic Republic expected Qatar not to succumb to US pressure.

“If we were in Qatar’s position, we would ignore pressures from Washington and return the assets. We still expect such an action from Qatar,” he stated.

Sheikh Tamim expressed appreciation for Iran’s support of the oppressed people around the world, saying that Iran’s unwavering backing of the Palestinians “will never be forgotten.”

He highlighted the difficult conditions in the region, stating that the situation necessitates increased cooperation among regional countries.

The Emir also mentioned agreements between Iran and Qatar, including a contract for the construction of an underwater tunnel connecting the two countries and the activation of their joint commission.

He expressed optimism that the volume of economic exchanges will increase in the near future.

Earlier President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran and Doha have made significant decisions to deepen relations and open new avenues for cooperation.

Speaking at a press conference alongside Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani after their meeting in Tehran, Pezeshkian said they discussed bilateral issues to secure the interests of both countries.

The Qatari emir underscored the necessity of creating new opportunities for cooperation, the Iranian president said.

Pezeshkian said one of Iran’s key policies is to develop comprehensive relations with neighboring and regional countries.

“Iran believes regional countries can, based on good neighborliness, mutual respect, and constructive interaction, take steps towards maintaining regional stability and security and lay the groundwork for creating a joint cooperation framework.”

The president said they also discussed the situation in Syria, and that he emphasized the preservation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Syria and the participation of all its people in determining their fate.

Pezeshkian hailed Qatar’s mediation efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of oppressed Palestinian abductees.

The Iranian president put a premium on the need for more coherent measures by Islamic countries to reduce the suffering and pain of the people of Gaza.

“We believe that all nations and governments in the region and the world should make efforts based on divine and human values to defend the oppressed people of Palestine, notably Gaza.”

Pezeshkian said it was imperative that the Palestinians of Gaza lead a “safe life in their historical land.”

The Qatari emir expressed satisfaction with his visit to Iran, and said such trips can help expand the brotherly and historical relations between the two countries, which are based on good neighborliness.

He said they discussed cooperation in various fields, and underscored the need for creating more opportunities for potential cooperation, especially in the commercial and economic fields.

The Qatari Emir said they also emphasized the importance of following up on the results of the recent Joint Economic Commission meetings and increasing the volume of trade exchanges to achieve stated goals.

Sheikh Tamim said they also discussed the difficult conditions the region is facing.

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TEHRAN (Iran News)  Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says the United States’ “foolish plan” for Gaza will lead nowhere.

Ayatollah Khamenei received the secretary-general of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, Ziyad al-Nakhaleh, and his accompanying delegation in Tehran on Tuesday.

The Leader congratulated the Palestinian resistance on their victory against Israel in Gaza, where the occupying regime has been forced to enter into a ceasefire agreement with Hamas after failing to eliminate the resistance group, a chief objective of its genocidal war in the enclave.

“The great work of the leaders and fighters of the Palestinian resistance in creating unity and cohesion and steadfastness against the enemy, and moving the complex negotiations forward, along with the patience and perseverance of the (Palestinian) people, has brought honor to the resistance in the region,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.

Ayatollah Khamenei noted that this victory has set “a new benchmark” in resistance battles against the occupying regime.

The Leader pointed out that the Israeli regime is now negotiating the release of its prisoners held in Gaza in exchange for a substantially larger number of Palestinian prisoners and with the same resistance groups that it had vowed to destroy going into the war.

“Currently, global public opinion is in favor of Palestine, and under these circumstances, no plan will succeed without the consent of the resistance and the people of Gaza,” he said.

Ayatollah Khamenei was referring to a proposed plan by U.S. President Donald Trump to “take over” Gaza after the enclave has been forcibly cleared of its more than two million residents. The plan has been widely rejected by both the Palestinians and the broader Arab world.

During the meeting, Nakhalah congratulated Ayatollah Khamenei on the Palestinian victory and expressed gratitude for the Islamic Republic’s continuous support for the resistance.

“The Palestinian resistance has, in fact, been at war with the United States and the West for the past year and a half,” he said. “Despite the unequal balance of (military) power, the Palestinian resistance has been able to achieve great victories.”

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TEHRAN (Iran News) The meeting took place in the Imam Khomeini Complex on Wednesday morning, a day after the Leader paid a visit to the Pioneers of Progress  exhibition, which showcased the private sector’s achievements.

A number of figures active in the private sector are slated to present their views during the meeting.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) Ayatollah Khamenei led the prayers performed over the bodies of Hojjatoleslam Ali Razini and Hojjatoleslam Mohammad Moqiseh at Imam Khomeini Religious Center on Sunday evening.

The Leader also extended his condolences over the deaths of the two senior judges on Saturday evening hours after they were shot dead in central Tehran.

An assailant infiltrated the tribunal building, opening fire at the pair. The attacker later killed himself.

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