Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said the nation will not abandon the ideals of the Islamic Revolution even in the face of pressure of sanctions imposed by the West, urging officials to implement the required policies to take away "the weapon of sanctions from the enemies."
Ayatollah Khamenei said, "Sanctions have created problems for the country, but if the enemy sets a condition for the removal of them in return (for Iran) to compromise its principles as well as ideals, including Islam, independence or scientific progress, certainly (as a matter of) pride no official will accept that," IRNA reported.
In an address to a gathering of people from the holy city of Qom, Ayatollah Khamenei said, "Authorities and the administration must not pin their hopes on foreign hands; they should be aware that if they retreat even one step, the enemy will move forward. That is why efforts should be made in a way that even if the enemy does not lift sanctions, the nation's progress, prosperity and welfare will remain unharmed," the Leader added.
"As long as you pin your hopes on enemies' hands, sanctions will remain in effect as evidenced by US officials' shameless remarks that they will not lift anti-Iran sanctions all at once even if Tehran makes concessions on its nuclear program," he noted.
The Leader also said, "The (global) arrogance's hostility toward the Iranian nation is a never-ending (process) and authorities and officials should take away the weapon of sanctions from untrustworthy enemy by relying on domestic forces ... and fulfill their duties to realize the glorious ideals of the Islamic Revolution and the nation."
He urged officials to avoid causing "commotion" and making "unnecessary remarks" that will cause "division" in the society.
The Leader went on to say that "Inciting discord and schism among the public for any reason and under any justification runs counter to national interests and ideals" of the Islamic Revolution.
"Unlike unwise and false remarks that certain people are making (every now and then) about the failures of the Iranian nation, this nation has managed to achieve great successes by following the path toward realizing the ideals of the Islamic Revolution."
In addition, the Leader criticized those people who ignore the scientific advances of the nation and said, "By making unfair and false remarks, these people are trying to raise doubt about the commendable path that the nation has taken, a path that has even drawn praise from the enemies."
Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated that assisting the administration and authorities is a joint responsibility and reminded government officials that "the only way that can help them in meeting their commitments is to rely on domestic capacities."