The Theorization of Anti-Democratic Policies by Ayatollah Khamenei

Ayatollah Khamenei dedicated his speech on the first of Farvardin 1395 (March 21, 2016) to the topic that Iran is trapped in deep economic recession, unemployment, poverty, and corruption. His question was how these important issues and problems can be solved? Let's examine his explanation of this issue and his alternative solutions. Khamenei stated that the U.S. government and its domestic supporters have created a false dichotomy, claiming that there are only two paths ahead: a) accommodating the U.S., or b) being crushed under the constant pressures of the U.S. This discourse is promoted by some both abroad and within Iran, who deem it inevitable. However, accommodating and reaching an agreement with the U.S. government means retreating from the principles and red lines of the regime and accepting its hegemonic policies. The U.S. government will not give any concessions in return. To support his claim, Khamenei referenced the nuclear agreement, stating that Mohammad Javad Zarif told him that in the nuclear agreement, there were instances where they could not maintain the regime's red lines. Thus, an agreement with the world's most powerful government means giving up the most important red lines. Khamenei believes that some within Iran accept this approach and seek to establish it. The American propaganda apparatus and the facilitators have come to their aid, claiming that Iran cannot utilize its fundamental capacities merely through the nuclear agreement. He also thinks that if Iran wants to become a prominent economy, it must set aside its principles and red lines. The nuclear agreement was the first step; regional and domestic agreements are the subsequent steps that must be taken. The U.S. government is trying to instill this discourse among Iranian elites. What are the consequences of this policy from Khamenei's perspective? First, disregarding the issue of Palestine, the resistance front, the oppression of the oppressed people in the region, etc., is a necessary condition for U.S. demands. Some Arab governments in the region have shamelessly reconciled with Israel and transformed other issues into the main regional issue. The Islamic Republic must also reconcile with Israel. Second, to satisfy the U.S., Iran must forgo defensive tools—such as long-range missiles—and even refrain from conducting military exercises. Third, by accepting this approach, the Americans will question why the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Quds Force were formed at all. They should not exist. Fourth, Iran's domestic policy should not conform to its constitutional principles in accordance with Islam. The branches of the Islamic Republic should not be Islamic, as this conflicts with liberalism. Fifth, the main goal of making Iran like the nuclear agreement is to change the character and nature of the Islamic Republic while potentially preserving its facade. Proponents of this discourse claim that accepting these consequences is the only way to rid oneself of the constant pressures from the U.S. Khamenei critiques this approach, arguing that Iranian proponents of this discourse believe that if Iran reaches an agreement similar to the nuclear deal with the U.S. in all areas, the issues and problems will be resolved. However, they overlook the important reality that Iran fulfilled all its commitments in the nuclear deal, while the U.S. has not adhered to any of its commitments through deceit and trickery. The Americans have only acted on paper but have practically obstructed banking transactions, trade relations, the return of seized Iranian funds, etc. They have acted in such a way that the nuclear agreement has brought no benefit to Iran. Where does the problem stem from? The leader of the Islamic Republic believes that Iran is the flower of the entire region. The U.S. was plundering Iran, and the Islamic Republic became a model for the entire region and the world for resistance by saving Iran. The U.S. sought a 'new' or 'greater' Middle East, which meant nothing but Israeli domination over the entire region. However, they are now stuck in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Palestine, Libya, etc., and they attribute all of this to the Islamic Republic. He states that Britain and the U.S. created fortifications such as: a) the Pahlavi regime, whose monarch was considered the owner of the country; b) the fear of British and American power among the regime's leaders and the people; c) instilling distrust in oneself or lack of national self-confidence; d) convincing the majority of the idea of separating religion from politics; etc., in Iran. The Islamic Revolution destroyed all those fortifications, and now the U.S. intends to eliminate all the fortifications of the revolution. He reminds that the U.S. government is an enemy of Iran and adds that the Nowruz message from Obama, John Kerry, and the setting of the Haft-Seen table in the White House—while maintaining and increasing sanctions—only serves to fool children. Who will believe these things when aggressive and hostile policies continue? Attention to Realities and Capacities To exit this situation, Khamenei states that instead of yielding to one-sided agreements with the U.S. government, attention must be paid to the realities and capacities of Iran: First, human, financial, and international resources provide the possibility for rapid progress for Iran. The Islamic Republic is an influential power in the entire region and in some cases at the global level. Second, the U.S. government is an enemy of Iran. It has been unfaithful in the nuclear deal, and the U.S. Treasury Secretary is working day and night to maintain sanctions. New sanctions are also being approved. Nine months remain of the current U.S. administration, and the presidential candidates in the U.S. are in fierce competition in their enmity toward Iran. Third, at the same time, the tools of the U.S. government's enmity are not unlimited. They use three tools: propaganda, infiltration, and sanctions. The Americans claim that sanctions are lethal and deadly, and some within Iran [Hashemi Rafsanjani, Hassan Rouhani, reformists, etc.] have accepted this claim. They have exaggerated the lifting of sanctions, while we saw that nothing happened. Yes, the most important tool of the U.S. is sanctions. Ten Economic Solutions for Liberation The leader of the Islamic Republic expresses happiness that an 'Economic Command Headquarters' has been established, headed by the First Vice President, but from his perspective, the main tasks that need to be accomplished are as follows: First, focus on priority activities that have comparative advantages. The roadmap must be clear to everyone. Second, reviving and restoring domestic production (currently 60% of capacities are idle). Third, foreign imports should not weaken domestic production. Fourth, the frozen foreign currency reserves of Iran, which should have returned according to the nuclear deal, have not yet returned. However, when this money returns, it should not be spent on anything other than productive uses. These reserves should be allocated to production. Fifth, important and sensitive sectors of the economy—oil and gas, etc.—must become knowledge-based. Sixth, utilizing sectors where fundamental investments have been made (such as power plants and petrochemicals). Seventh, technology transfer should be a condition for any foreign economic transaction. Eighth, serious practical combat against corruption, favoritism, and smuggling must be conducted. Ninth, enhancing energy efficiency, which has an annual benefit of 100 billion dollars. Tenth, special attention to several thousand small and medium industries to create employment. He believes that by implementing these measures, one can stand against the U.S. government's sanctions and maintain red lines and principles. We should not be afraid that the U.S. will sanction Iran; these policies will protect the country against sanctions. Cooperation of the People and Elites with the Government He explicitly opposed slogans against the government and pointed out that the cooperation of the three branches, the assistance of the people, and political elites with the government is a necessary condition for success and salvation. The government must also realize that only the revolutionary current—like the martyrs of the nuclear forefront—can quickly lead the country to success. He stated that 'Martyr Avini' and 'the late Salehshoor' were pioneers of revolutionary cultural activities. He then emphasized that he places great importance on cultural issues. Thousands of spontaneous cultural, revolutionary, Hezbollah, and faithful groups are active across the country. The government should open its arms to these groups, rather than embrace those who do not accept the revolution, Islam, and the Islamic Republic. If these policies are adopted, the U.S.—and even greater powers—will not be able to do anything. A Policy Against Another Policy It is clear that Khamenei's approach is in conflict with the approach of reformists and moderates. Of course, Khamenei, to impose his view, not only considers the views of reformists and moderates as those of the U.S. government but also presents an image in which Iran would become a U.S. colony, with all its resources plundered by this country. Let us assume that the U.S. government is exactly what Khamenei claims. In that case, the only way to resist and stand firm is to democratize society and the political structure. If Iran becomes a free, democratic country committed to human rights, with a political system that is the product of the people's consent, it will become a powerful country. Religious despotism leads to corruption and decay. The policies of the Islamic Republic have completely locked the economy, and the key to freedom, democracy, and human rights can solve economic issues and problems. Without democracy, issues cannot be resolved. Iran will be able to solve its problems through peace with the world and anti-discrimination democracy.