Most of the second sermon of Ayatollah Khamenei in the Eid al-Fitr congregational prayers was devoted to several points about the nuclear issue.

In the first point, he appreciated those who were involved in the lengthy and breathtaking nuclear negotiations, particularly the endeavors and efforts made by the nuclear negotiating team, saying, “For the [final] approval of the drawn up text, a legal course must be followed. Of course, whether or not this text is approved, the negotiators will be rewarded, God willing.”

Addressing those who are to review the “drawn-up nuclear text,” Ayatollah Khamenei said, “Do your job with care based on the country’s expediencies and national interests, so that you would be able to present the outcome of your reviews to the nation and to God with your head held high.”

Reiterating Iran’s determination to confront any exploitation of the “drawn-up text,” the Leader said, “Whether or not this drawn-up text is approved, we will allow nobody to harm the basic principles of the Islamic Establishment.”

Referring to the current atmosphere of threat and the enemies’ focus on Iran’s defense issues, Ayatollah Khamenei said, “With God’s grace, the country’s defense capabilities and security domain will be safeguarded and the Islamic Republic will never give in to the excessive demands of the enemies.”

Continued support for the allies of the Islamic Republic in the region was another point which the Leader of the Islamic Revolution highlighted in his discussion of the nuclear issue.

Ayatollah Khamenei said, “Whether or not this drafted text is approved through legal process in the country, the Iranian nation will not stop supporting the oppressed nation of Palestine, Yemen, Bahrain as well as the nations and governments of Syria, Iraq and the honest combatants in Lebanon and Palestine.”

Noting that the policy of the nation and the Islamic Republic Establishment will by no means change vis-à-vis the United States, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution added, “We will have no negotiations with America regarding bilateral, regional and global issues unless in exceptional cases like the nuclear [issue], which has had precedent.”

Sharply criticizing the US policies on “supporting the terrorist and infanticidal Zionist regime while labeling terrorist the devoted combatants of Lebanon’s Hezbollah,” Ayatollah Khamenei said, “Our policies are 180 degrees opposite of America’s policies in the region. Therefore, how can we negotiate with them?”

Ayatollah Khamenei then referred to ranting by US officials in recent days following the conclusion of nuclear talks, saying, “These days, both statesmen and stateswomen in America have no option but to rant in order to resolve domestic problems, but there is no truth in their bombastic rhetoric.”

The Leader referred to the US allegation of having blocked production of nuclear weapons in Iran, saying, “Years ago, we issued a fatwa, based on Islamic teachings, forbidding the production of nuclear weapons, and we face religious obstacle for the production of these weapons, but Americans who have sometimes owned up to the significance of this fatwa, keep lying in their propaganda and ranting, and claim that their threat has blocked the production of nuclear weapon by Iran.”

“The incumbent officials of America speak about the surrender of the Iranian nation. Of course, five former presidents after the [1979 Islamic] Revolution had these wishes in mind, but they either died or got lost in history, and like them, you may only dream of Iran’s surrender.”

Referring to the current US president confessing to his country’s past mistakes with regard to Iran, including the August 19, 1953 coup d’état in Iran and Washington’s support for former Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein, Ayatollah Khamenei said, “That is just the tip of the iceberg and there are many mistakes which Americans still refuse to admit to.”

Ayatollah Khamenei recommended the US officials to reconsider their current mistakes so that their successors would not have to acknowledge their current mistakes.

Reiterating the daily growing strength of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Leader said, “For around 12 years, six big countries of the world have been trying to keep Iran from pursuing nuclear industry and, as some people said, dismantle the nuts and bolts of Iran’s nuclear industry, but today, they have been forced to accept and tolerate the spinning of several thousand centrifuges and the continuation of [nuclear] research and development in Iran, and this means nothing but the strength of the Iranian nation.”

Ayatollah Khamenei stated that the growing power and strength of the Islamic Republic stems from the steadfastness and resistance of the nation, as well as the bravery and creativity of Iranian scientists. Honoring the martyred nuclear scientists and their followers and families, the Leader said, “May God bestow His mercy on a nation which has stood by its word in this way.”

In the concluding part of his second sermon, Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the incumbent US president’s remarks about his country’s ability to destroy the Iranian Army, saying, “In the past, such remarks were interpreted “boasting among strangers” [who are not aware of the inability of the person who is boasting].”

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution addressed American officials, emphasizing, “We welcome no war, nor do we initiate any war, but if any war happens, the one who will emerge loser will be the aggressive and criminal America.”

Ali Khamenei