Khamenei to Students: Prepare for Continued Struggle Against Imperialism

Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, on Saturday, July 20, called on students to prepare for the continuation of the struggle against "imperialism" following nuclear negotiations. According to the website of the Leader's Office, Khamenei stated during the meeting, in response to a question regarding the status of "anti-imperialism" after Iran's nuclear talks with the U.S. and other members of the 1+5 group: "Is the struggle against imperialism subject to suspension? This (struggle against imperialism) is one of the foundations of the revolution. If there is no struggle against imperialism, we are not following the Quran." He further stated: "Prepare yourselves for the continuation of the struggle against imperialism." In his speech on Saturday evening, Khamenei referred to the United States as the "ultimate manifestation of imperialism" and added: "The goal of the sanctions is not the nuclear issue or human rights." The Supreme Leader of Iran stated: "The issue goes beyond these matters" and added: "They themselves are terrorists and anti-human rights... The issue is that a nation, movement, and identity based on principles opposing the system of domination has emerged." The nuclear negotiations between Iran and the U.S. and other members of the 1+5 group have been ongoing in Vienna for the past two weeks to reach a comprehensive and final agreement regarding Iran's nuclear program. While the Supreme Leader has identified the U.S. as the epitome of imperialism and stated that "anti-imperialism" will continue after the nuclear negotiations, last week, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, head of the Expediency Discernment Council, stated that the "taboo" of negotiating with the U.S. has been broken and did not consider the reopening of the U.S. embassy in Tehran impossible. In an interview with The Guardian, Rafsanjani stated: "Before the revolution, the U.S. was the main supporter of the Shah's regime, and after the revolution, it stood against Iran during the imposed war. Now, if a difference in the U.S. behavior is observed during the nuclear talks, it will have a positive impact on Iranian society," especially if the sanctions are lifted, it would be a "big step." Khamenei also referred to university issues, stating: "Do not allow those who hold the keys to pressure revolutionary student organizations." He further stated: "Holding concerts and mixed camps to create vitality in universities is a wrong act." The Supreme Leader also mentioned: "Both of the honorable ministers are trusted by us, but they should watch their subordinates." Last week, Khamenei criticized the "marginalization" regarding the "illegal" scholarships during Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's presidency, calling the media coverage of this issue "one of the wrongest actions in recent years" and one of the examples of what he termed "politicking" in universities. Following the rise of Hassan Rouhani's government, Iranian Ministry of Science officials reported on the illegal scholarship of more than three thousand individuals during Ahmadinejad's presidency. The exposure of the "illegal" scholarships was among the reasons for the impeachment and dismissal of Reza Faraji Dana, the former Minister of Science, during the August 20 session of the Islamic Consultative Assembly.