Ayatollah Khamenei Emphasizes Domestic Production to End Unemployment in Iran

Addressing a huge crowd of people at the holy shrine of Imam Reza (PBUH) in Iran’s northeastern holy city of Mashhad on Tuesday, Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated the significance of domestic production in the new Iranian year’s speech.

At the beginning of his speech, Imam Khamenei hailed the Iranian nation’s commitment to the Islamic Establishment’s goals and to religious values in the previous year, referring to the huge nationwide demonstrations marking the victory anniversary of the Islamic Revolution and the active participation of people in the Islamic events in the months of Ramadan or Muharram.

Such great public partnership demonstrated the “trend of the Iranian nation’s move” before the eyes of both friends and foes, the Leader underlined.

The Leader noted that the Iranian nation’s trend continues to rely on the “Islamic Revolution and religion” and reveals the “sign of progress.”

Ayatollah Khamenei then noted that the need in Iran remains to be “national unity” and “commitment to revolution, administration, and religious issues”.

Elsewhere in the speech, Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to the “economic issues” as the country’s main priority, which he said is a priority for the enemies as well.

In order to achieve their objectives, the enemies are looking for “economic damage” to Iran, the Leader warned, saying the adversaries seek to exert economic pressure on Iranians to discourage the nation from supporting the Islamic administration and drive a wedge between people and the administration.

Ayatollah Khamenei then pointed to the hostile plans to attribute the economic deficiencies to the Islamic Establishment, and highlighted the “remarkable and extraordinary” services provided by the Islamic Republic.

As regards the great headways following the victory of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to growth in population, development of infrastructures, expansion of roads and ports, 30-fold increase in the construction of dams and in agricultural sector, 57-fold increase in the export of non-oil products, 30-fold rise in petrochemical products, 15-fold increase in production of steel, and the dramatic scientific progress and the number of young students.

The Leader, however, made it clear that the deficiencies do not originate from the establishment, but result from the “weak management”, and underlined that the top officials and managers in sensitive posts should be picked from motivated, religious, and pious people.

Ayatollah Khamenei noted that Iran is the world’s top holder of oil and gas supplies, saying that is why the hegemons and the US are attempting to dominate such rich country.

What is obvious today is that “economic vacuums are huge”, the leader noted, pointing to unemployment and harsh living conditions.

According to experts, “recession in domestic production and unemployment” are two major problems in Iran, the Leader said, referring to domestic production as a “keyword” that can resolve all economic problems.

Domestic production will help the economy thrive, will stimulate employment, and will help the country stop spending its currency on imports, the Leader noted.

As regards domestic production’s requirements, the Leader emphasized that Iran has the whole equipment for reaching that goal, including young and educated workforce, talent, capital, and advanced tools.

The young Iranian scientists are so capable that could increase the purity of uranium enrichment from 3.5 to 20 % in short time, Ayatollah Khamenei noted, highlighting the Iranian youth’s capability to produce missiles and airplanes.

Ayatollah Khamenei finally called on people to get involved in the arena of economy and domestic production, and also called on officials to diversify exports and not confine the exports to five or six countries.

The Leader reiterated that Iranian people should purchase domestic products, noting that the import of the goods that are available in the country should be announced “legally and religiously haram (forbidden).”

The Leader also urged efforts to combat smuggling and contraband goods.

As regards the election, the Leader said the world is astonished by Iran’s religious democracy, which is based upon election, and called on all eligible voters to participate in the upcoming elections.

Ayatollah Khamenei underlined that he never intervenes in the election, unless when somebody would seek to confront the result of people’s vote.

“Enemy will not do a damn thing in election by God’s grace,” Ayatollah Khamenei underscored.

Iran will hold the presidential election on May 19.