Ayatollah Khamenei: Iran will not forgo regional presence, nuclear program

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says Iran will not give up on its regional presence and peaceful nuclear program as two factors that contribute to the country’s national power.

Addressing a meeting on Thursday with Iran’s Assembly of Experts, Ayatollah Khamenei said, “It is vital for any country to have national power.”

He said any nation seeking independence and resistance against the will of others needs to “stand strong, otherwise it will be fearful, weak, humiliated and constantly worried about the foreigners’ greed.”

Ayatollah Khamenei described national power as a “compound issue” and an “intertwined network” comprised of multiple factors.

The Leader said among the “pillars of national power” are “security and defense power,” “economy, public welfare and easy livelihood,” “the power of politicking and bargaining to fulfill national interests in at the regional and global front,” and “culture and lifestyle,” among other things.

“Regional presence gives us more strategic depth and national strength. Why should we give it up? Scientific nuclear advance has to do with the country’s needs in the near future and, if we do away with [the nuclear program], who will we have to ask for [nuclear knowhow to meet our demands]? the Leader asked.

It is a big mistake to retreat in the face of America or any other power for securing protection sanctions, which deals a blow to political power, Ayatollah Khamenei said.

(This item is being updated.)