Iran has its own sovereignty, and its enrichment is none of US' business

In his speech which was delivered at Imam Khomeini’s Mausoleum, the Leader emphasized that 36 years after the passing of that great man, the presence of Imam Khomeini and the impact of his Revolution can still be clearly felt in global developments, including the decline of major powers, the emergence of a multipolar world order, the significant decrease in the US’ status and influence, the surge in hatred toward Zionism, even in Europe and the US, and the awakening of many nations in rejecting Western values.

Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to the West’s initial astonishment at the mobilization of the Iranian nation under the leadership of a religious scholar, the Imam’s and the people’s empty-handed victory over the fully armed and dependent Pahlavi regime, and the expulsion of the exploitative and plundering American and Zionist presence from Iran. He added, “The second surprise for the West was the establishment of the Islamic Republic through Imam’s wisdom and determined efforts.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution also recalled how the Americans had pinned their hopes on the rise of a compromising government in Iran to once again secure their illegitimate interests in the country. He continued, “By explicitly declaring his stance on the formation of an Islamic and religious system in Iran, the Imam shattered those hopes. It was from that point that the enemies’ destructive conspiracies began.”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution described the scope, variety, and intensity of the conspiracies against the Islamic Revolution as unprecedented in the history of modern revolutions. He further emphasized that behind all these schemes stand arrogant governments, chiefly the US and the Zionist regime, as well as intelligence agencies such as the CIA, the UK’s MI6, and the Zionist regime’s Mossad.

Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that the objective behind such degenerate and destructive plots has been to weaken the Islamic Republic, yet rather than being weakened, the Islamic Republic has continued firmly along its path and will move forward even more powerfully in the future.

The Leader referred to Wilayat al-Faqih [Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist] and national independence as the two pillars of Imam Khomeini’s rationality, adding: “The pillar of Wilayat al-Faqih safeguards the religious essence of the Revolution and prevents it from deviating from the motivations and sacrifices rooted in the people’s faith. And national independence includes many of the Imam’s ideals and visions.”

He elaborated on the concept of national independence: “It means that Iran and its people should, by stand on their own feet, make decisions based on their own discernment, act accordingly, and not wait for approval from the US or others.”

Ayatollah Khamenei described the enemies’ efforts to undermine the spirit of “We Can” among the Iranian people as proof of the critical importance of this identity-defining element. “Even now, in the ongoing nuclear talks mediated by Oman,” he said, “the proposal presented by the Americans is 100% against the spirit of ‘We Can.’”

He identified Resistance — acting upon one’s beliefs and not submitting to the will, coercion, or imposition of global powers — as another essential component of national independence.

In another part of his speech, the Leader addressed the nuclear issue, stated that the nuclear industry is a basic, main industry: “According to expert and scientific assessments, diverse fields of basic science and engineering — including nuclear physics, energy engineering, materials engineering — as well as sensitive, high-precision technologies in medical equipment, aerospace, and electronic sensors, are either reliant on or effected by nuclear technology.”

Ayatollah Khamenei explained why this industry is futile without uranium enrichment:
“Without enrichment and the ability to produce nuclear fuel, even having 100 nuclear power plants would be useless — because to acquire fuel, we would have to be dependent on the US and they could set dozens of conditions.” “This scenario was already experienced in the 2000s” he said, “when we needed 20% enriched fuel.”

Referring to the episode in which two friendly countries mediated at the request of the then US president for the transfer of a portion of Iran’s 3.5% enriched uranium in exchange for receiving 20% fuel to meet domestic needs, Ayatollah Khamenei stated: “At that time, the officials accepted the exchange, and I said that the other side must deliver the 20% fuel to Bandar Abbas Port. After conducting the necessary tests, we would carry out the exchange. However, when they saw our precision and insistence, they reneged on their promise and refused to deliver the 20% fuel.”

The Leader stressed that the main demand of the Americans in the nuclear issue is to completely deprive Iran of this industry and its many benefits for the people. “The rude and insolent US officials repeatedly voice this demand in various forms,” he said.

The Leader emphasized, “Our response to the absurdities of the loudmouthed, imprudent American government is clear: Today, the nuts and bolts of our nuclear industry are stronger than ever. And the current rulers in Washington and the Zionists should know that they cannot do a damn thing in this area.”

He declared that the Islamic Republic’s first message to the American side and other opponents of Iran’s nuclear program is to challenge the very legal basis of their claims, stating: “Our message is that the Iranian nation’s destiny is in its own hands. Who are you to interfere in whether or not we have enrichment? From what legal standpoint do you presume such a right?”

In the final part of his speech, Ayatollah Khamenei turned to the shocking and unbelievable atrocities being committed by the Zionist regime in Gaza. He referred to reports that food distribution centers have been set up only to gather people and then shoot them down with gunfire, and said: “This level of vileness, wickedness, cruelty, and barbarity is truly appalling.”

He named the US as a full accomplice in these crimes, stating, “This is precisely why we insist that the US must be expelled from West Asia.”

Ayatollah Khamenei described the duty of Islamic governments today as extremely grave, emphasizing: “This is not a time for hesitation, appeasement, neutrality, or silence. If any Islamic government under any pretext supports the Zionist regime, whether by normalizing relations, blocking aid to the people of Palestine, or justifying the Zionists’ crimes, they should know with certainty that an eternal disgrace will mark their foreheads.”

He warned that divine punishment in the Hereafter for cooperating with the Zionists will be severe, adding: “Even in this world, nations will not forget such betrayals. And relying on the Zionist regime brings no security for any government because, by definite divine decree, this regime is collapsing. God willing, that day is not far off.”