In a meeting with the judiciary, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei suggested that a deal on Iran’s controversial nuclear program would be “easy” to achieve if unspecified countries in an “anti-Iranian front” were not so stubborn. “If they set aside stubbornness, resolving the Iranian nuclear issue is simple, easy and smooth,” he said on June 26. The supreme leader also called on all parties in and out of government to work with new President-elect Hassan Rouhani. The following are excerpts of his remarks on nuclear talks, relations with the international community, and the June 14 election.
Nuclear Program
“Some countries that constitute the anti-Iranian front and falsely call themselves the international community stubbornly do not want the nuclear issue to be resolved. But if they set aside their stubbornness, resolving the Iranian nuclear issue is simple, easy and smooth... The nuclear issue was close to being resolved several times but the Americans brought up new excuses… They consider the nuclear issue as a good chance for threatening and putting pressure on Iran.”
“The Islamic Republic has acted legally and transparently in the nuclear discussion and possesses a strong rationale on any argument. But the enemies’ goal is maintaining pressure, tiring the nation, and changing the system [government]. Therefore, they will not allow the issue to be resolved.”
The United States and the West
“For them, the nuclear issue, human rights, democracy and nothing else matters. They are seeking to block the nation’s progress and the renew dominance of our dear Iran, but the Islamic Republic has stood with strength, independence, reliance on the people and trust in God and defends Iranian interests.”
“Experience has also shown that anyone who preserves in the path of righteousness will be victorious, and without a doubt the Iranian nation will also slap the enemies in this field.”
Presidential Election
“Iran's latest polls indicated that even those who do not support the establishment trust it…. because they know that a strong Islamic Republic stands like a lion against the greedy and defends national interests and national pride well.”
“We do not say that you must not criticize or oppose [policies], because proper objection and criticism is certainly useful for the country's progress. But we must all remember that being on the sidelines and criticizing is easy, but execution is difficult and hard; therefore, we all must all help the President-elect.”
“The enemies and opponents of the Islamic Republic attempted to either prevent the election from being held, or make the nation indifferent toward the poll… They also had plans after the elections so that they could have pursued their ominous goals with various excuses, but with God’s grace, the nation demonstrated its skill and greatness on election day, and what occurred was 180 degrees opposite of the enemies’ desires.”
“In [local] council elections, due to complicated tribal, regional, and racial backgrounds, it was possible for conflict to break out or instability to occur, but with divine grace and in the ray of the nation’s cooperation and the efforts of officials and related organs, there were no signs of instability in the late elections.”
“In these elections, [one] could have made excuses, and by implementing divisions and fighting, [one] could have ignored the nation’s great and glorious presence [in the elections] and made the people bitter. But the honorable and law abiding behavior of other candidates brought the feeling of calmness and happiness to the people, and this obedience to the law must forever be a lesson and for everyone.”