“Any issue Iranian scientists have focused on, they have carried out tasks revered by the world”

In the meeting, Imam Khamenei spoke about the continuous propaganda campaign waged by the West against Iran since the beginning of the Islamic Revolution, in which they claim that the Islamic Republic is declining.

He noted that they even set specific times for this claim such as announcing that the Islamic Republic will be finished in one month, in one year, or in five years and some people inside the country also promote these claims either out of neglect or with malevolent intentions.

On this subject, Imam Khamenei pointed to unrealistic analyses that have been made about the collapse of the Islamic Republic saying that in the last 43 years, the enemies have talked about the collapse of the Islamic Republic on numerous occasions, however the stability and persistence of the revolutionary movement shows that such analyses are wrong and unrealistic.

The Leader referred to a newspaper headline during the time of Imam Khomeini (r.a.) which proclaimed that the government is on the verge of collapse and Imam Khomeini’s striking response that ‘you yourselves are collapsing and the Islamic Revolution is standing firm and strong!’

He added: “After Imam Khomeini passed away in 1989, there were a number of people – among whom there were some well-regarded and experienced individuals – who made declarations about how the ‘the government is on the edge of an abyss.’”

Imam Khamenei further emphasized that, “We did not give up. We stood up to them and God willing we shall continue to do the same.”

The Leader of the Revolution referred to two analytical systems in this regard saying, that one analytical system believes that standing up to widespread global norms and the powers arising from these norms such as the US, is useless and will result in destruction. These people also consider those who have a different analysis of the realities of the world to be delusional.

Conversely, the second and more realistic analytical system is based on seeing the overall set of facts, not only the “good” facts, but also the “bad” facts, according to which then moves are made and actions are taken.

In another part of his speech, Imam Khamenei considered scientific elites and universities to be important pillars of the country’s progress. He added that the presence of the youth, especially the young elites, generates hope wherever they are.

At the same time, he noted that the longer universities would remain closed and the process of scientific activity is destroyed and impaired, that this would be welcomed by the enemy. For this reason, they have made an effort to shut down universities on different occasions, not just today or yesterday.

The Leader of the Revolution also pointed to universities as one of the great barriers to the domination of arrogant powers in the country saying, that the world’s bullying powers use weapons, deception and even science to dominate others and hold nations back. Therefore, a university that raises the level of the country’s scientific achievements, actually prevents the domination of the enemy.

Imam Khamenei further underscored that our academics have not allowed the country to remain dependent on the West. “It is not an exaggeration when I say that the academic elites of the country have become a source of honor for Iran. Whatever issue our scientists encountered and focused on, they did something that garnered admiration within the world’s scientific circles.”

The Leader went on to describe some of the achievements of the country’s elites and scientists. These include achievements in the field of biochemistry, launching and sending satellites into space, fundamental achievements in nuclear industry, the production of complex vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine, research and achievements made by the Royan Research Institute in fields such as stem cell research and the cloning of livestock, as well as the country’s remarkable progress in the missile and drone industries.

“A few years ago, when photographs of our advanced missile and drones were released, some said that they were photoshopped. But now they’re saying: ‘Iranian drones are very dangerous, why are you selling it to so and so? Why are you giving it to so and so?’”

The Leader of the Revolution added: “There are some who even now deny the country’s capacities and want us to abandon these capacities, such as our nuclear technology. They lie when they say that the world has turned away from nuclear energy and nuclear technology.

If we had not started working on nuclear technology back then, we would have had to enter this field 10 years later after that and we would not have accomplished anything until 30 years after that.

Imam Khamenei explained that being neglectful of the enemy is one of the dangers facing the country’s elite. He said: “Based on reliable information, intelligence services are sending out invitations to our academic elites under the guise and cover of scientific centers in order to deceive and draw the elites towards themselves and to disturb their mental peace and they present themselves as very polite and intelligent individuals so that they can successfully carry out their plans.”

At the beginning of the meeting, seven young elites and the Acting Vice President for Science and Technology, Dr. Dehghani-Firouzabadi, expressed their views and opinions.