Leader’s address focused on expounding ‘foreign policy principles well-documented in the Constitution and the requirements emanating from these principles,’ and Iran’s ‘principled and solid’ solutions to important issues in the region notably in Syria, Yemen, and Bahrain.
He told the meeting that objectives sought by the US in the region diametrically opposed those of the Islamic Republic; “Iran’s foreign policy has as its source the Islamic law and the ideals of the Revolution [of 1979], and Foreign Ministry officials, ambassadors, and chargés d'affaires are in fact ‘representatives and soldiers’ of such ideals and principles,” said the Leader.
“All diplomatic tactics in all cabinets should serve the foreign policy principles recognized and mandated by the Constitution, and our foreign representatives should identify themselves as serious protectors of the interests of the system,” Ayatollah Khanemei demanded.
He criticized the propaganda embarked upon by foreign powers on ‘forced or voluntary shifts of foreign policy’ by Iran; “this is quite a naïve interpretation, which well indicates that the Islamic Republic of Iran’s foreign policy has acted as impenetrable rock against the domineering nature of hegemonic powers especially the US in the region,” he emphasized.
“The US policies in the Middle East have been part of the problem rather than solution; the Islamic Republic of Iran’s foreign policy is inspired by the Constitution, which is inspired and informed by Islam; thus, any positions about international issues, should have a religious dimension as well,” he told the meeting. “We do not claim attaining all foreign policy objectives, since implementation of ‘Revolutionary foreign policy’ in practice has been marred by incompetence, negligence, and foreign barriers; however, our current position of self-reliance is owing to these highly principled and sagacious policies, the abandoning of which would bring huge challenges and damage to the country within the borders,” he added.
Ayatollah Khamenei recommended Foreign Ministry officials, ambassadors, and chargés d'affaires to ‘perpetuate the Revolutionary principles and permanent foreign policy approaches out of a position of glory and strength’ so as to plunge into abys of despair foreign powers and their insider mercenaries from investing hopes in a foreign policy shift of Iran.’
He believed that ‘self-confidence, outspokenness, and resilience in the face of barriers and oppositions’ were other necessities of the foreign policy, which however, hinged upon the art of diplomacy and its power in wielding influence in the audience.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution then turned upon Iran’s foreign policy in the region; on Palestine, he reiterated that Iran’s solution to Palestinian issue was a referendum which would set the fate of the Zionists and the Jewish settlers in Occupied Territories; “however, in gainsaying Iran’s solution, they contended that this would practically mean dissolution of the illegitimate Zionist regime, which would be a natural outcome of any referendum,” he said.
"Our position on Syria is the firmest position in the world, as we believe that it is pointless that other countries gather and decide for the ruling state of a country and its head; it is a dangerous heresy that no state in the world would accept it for itself," the Leader asserted in regard to the Syrian crisis. “In Syria, we believe in election as the solution; this is only possible if foreign financial and logistical supports to fighting rebels cease to exist; in such a situation, Syrian people would freely elect whomever they like to rule their country; considering one of the armed groups for decision-making and formation of government is illogical and unacceptable, and such formulas would result in continuation of war,” Ayatollah Khamenei argued.
On Iraq, the Leader expressly opposed disintegration of the country into triad of Sunni, Shia and Kurd regions, believing that the division would be to the detriment of the public’s interests, and disintegrate the country further into regions of hostile ethnic groups; “Iraqi territorial integrity and respecting people’s vote are part of Iran’s solution to Iraq."
"In Yemen, we definitely believe that immediate cessation of Saudi crimes, and a Yemeni-Yemeni dialogue would bring the country to limpid waters of peace and stability,” Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized.
He criticized Saudi ‘double-standard’ policy in Yemen and Syria; “while Saudis claim that a request by Yemeni resigned and fugitive president called for their military intervention in Yemen, they systematically fail to understand that a request by Syrian legitimate President Bashar al-Assad to stop supporting armed groups also holds credit."
Touching upon the situation in Bahrain, Ayatollah Khamenei highlighted that "in Bahrain, we believe that their demand for the right to vote is legitimate and should be heard by the government.”
Leader also praised the nuclear negotiators, whose ‘seriousness and good offices’ translated into a position of self-respect and upper hand vis-à-vis six world powers, and “dictating our foreign policy objectives upon these six powers.”
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