SECTION FOUR

Saddam should be put on trial just as Carter should. Carter acted in his own interests and this cursed man (Saddam) acts in the interests of America. It is not simply for the sake of a few kilometres of arid land that he (Saddam) has sent in his troops, forcing all these Muslims on both sides to do battle and be killed, all these billions of Iraqi dinars and Iranian tumans to be spent to the detriment of both countries and these weapons which we should be using against the enemy, against Zionism and imperialism, to be turned against one another. This is the treason that Saddam has perpetrated (in the interests of America).

Imam's remarks at a gathering of Ambassadors of Islamic countries, Dated 21 October 1980 (29 Mehr 1359 AHS). Sahifeh Noor, Vol. 13,p .127.

What we find most regretful about this imposed war is that the forces which should be used to put an end to Israel and save the great Beit ul Moqaddas have, through the collusion of the great Satan and international Zionism with the Iraqi Ba'ath party, been used and continue to be used to attack the stubborn enemy of Israel and America. I now repeat that as long as the Islamic nations and the oppressed of the world do not rise up against the oppressors of the world and their offspring, particularly the usurper Israel, their criminal hands will not be severed from Islamic countries, this cancerous tumour will not be thrown out of Beit ul Moqaddas and Lebanon, and the likes of Saddam and Sadat will continue with their crimes and to drag Egypt and Iraq towards destruction. The way to repel these tyrants is to turn to Islam, to follow (the teachings of)

The Quran resolutely and rise up in unity and harmony beneath the banner of tauhid (divine unity).

Imam's remarks dated 18 September 1981 (27 Shahrivar 1360 AHS) Sahifeh Noor, Vol. 15,p. 158.

What is most regrettable is that the superpowers, America in particular, by deceiving Saddam into attacking our country, have kept the powerful government of Iran busy with defending its land in order to give the and criminal Israel an opportunity to push forward its evil plan to greater Israel from the Nile to the Euphrates. Shamir, the new American pawn, immediately upon becoming a e for prime minister to replace Begin, another pawn, and before doing anything else, revealed Israel's plan. He said the Palestine n Organization must be wiped out and made it clear that he would in advocate of a greater Israel.

Imam's message dated 1983 (31 Shahrivar 1362 Sahifeh Noor, Vol. 18,p .121.

Here today we are suffering because of that party and there we are because of the corrupt regime of Israel, and we are ready to do both fronts. Here we are fighting to defend what is ours, we there (Palestine) too to be ours and we are ready to fight to But do we have to give you something before you will open the is to make our move? Should we have nothing more to do with this criminal (Saddam) and sit down and make our peace with him, throw around him and give him a pat on the back for perpetrating all these because now you want to work with us? He says we have to something so that he will work with us! No, this is all very illogical and will never come to pass. As far as the matter of opening the way is concerned, you should be pleading with us to come and help. We are volunteering to help, but you must ask us to come and help you to stop them (the Israelis), that are of course if you are speaking the truth when you say you oppose Israel. Otherwise, the circumstances would suggest that you are not opposed to Israel and you do not want us to go there. You are putting down conditions in such a way so as to stop us from going there.

Imam's remarks at a gathering of commanders and A group of army officials, Jumhuri Islami Newspaper dated 13 June 1982 (23 Khurdad 1361 AHS).

Our country has placed its great wealth, including its youth, who are there on the scene to deal with any situation, which may arise for the Muslims, at the disposal of devotion and has embarked on a holy war (jihad) for Islam, for the religion of God the Blessed and Exalted. But when our government suggests that you open the way for us to go and fight with your enemies, Saddam lays this down as one of the conditions (that we first have to make peace with him) because he has no hope in you. This is simply ludicrous. They say we have to forget whatever they have done before they will open the way for us. What kind of opening the way is that? Is it not a tragedy for Islam when a group of self-sacrificing people want to go and fight the enemy of the Arabs, the enemy of Islam, the enemy of the noble sanctuaries, the enemy of the whole region - while they (the Arab governments) sit back and are indifferent, or more to the point side with this enemy - but before they will open the way for them to go and fight for them they first seek a bribe from us? It's like someone going to save a man drowning in the sea and when he reaches him the drowning man says: 'What will you give me for allowing you to save me? These people in the Iraqi government are using the issue of Israel as an excuse to escape the grip of divine revenge and justice. They are using it as an excuse saying: 'If you want us to give you permission to go and save us who are drowning, you must first overlook the crimes we have committed against you' . The path Saddam wants to lay before us is one that (he hopes) will lead to him being saved, not one that will lead to Israel. Those involved have studied the matter, if we accept, then peace will be established and the Saddams of this world will be saved, and if we refuse, then it will be clear that we do not really want to embark on a holy war, that we do not want to fight against Israel. We are telling them that we accept. You move aside and let the experts come to assess what you have done to this country rimes you have perpetrated; indeed let them come and decide who has perpetrated these crimes. But for us to condone the crimes because we) do something for you, this is one of the absurdities that will remain annals of history will record that Iran wanted to save the from Israel, Israel which bears particular animosity towards the it wanted to save the holy sanctuaries and the Islamic Countries, for they are all threatened by Israel, and go and do battle against this malignant cancer, but the (Arab) governments first wanted a bribe from it. There are all matters, which will be recorded in history, and they are shameful deeds, which will be recorded on the foreheads of these people.

Imam's remarks dated 13 June 1982 (23 Khurdad 1361 AHS). Sahifeh Noor, Vol. 16,p .194.

The dear nation of Iran, relying on divine power, advances despite the ignorant ones who thought that because of their inhuman crimes and the martyring of the nation's esteemed personalities the people would leave the scene, and who could not and cannot understand the secret of their presence (on the scene). We hope that by defeating America's recent plot serving Saddarn and the Aflaqite party, our brave forces will, with the final defeat of the Iraqi government, pave the way for an advance Beit ul-Moqaddas, just as it is hoped that we will not witness indifference from the countries of the region whose every possession is danger of destruction after the recent attack by Israel on the Islamic of Lebanon and the murder and plundering perpetrated there.

The Muslim nations should realize that with this lethal silence of some of the regional governments and this unquestioning submission of theirs to America and Israel, today beloved Lebanon is being put into the gullet of these world-devourers and their vassals, and the same will happen to the other dear countries in the near future. If today the regional governments stood against these criminals using the oil weapon and guns, the problem I, and subsequently of America and any other rapacious power. Would be solved. We express our severe disapproval of some of the Muslim governments who have stretched out their hands to America, which is the original criminal and the main plotter, in an attempt to seek their deliverance from something, which is nothing other than a man-eating wolf, and we condemn them absolutely. Indeed, if it were not for this problem of the war with Iraq, this plot to distract us from the existing problems that face us and the plan to defeat US on two fronts, the brave nation and revolutionary government of Iran would adopt another course of action. For the umpteenth time we turn to the Muslim governments particularly the regional governments and ask them, indeed advise them most categorically to rise up to preserve the dignity, lives, honor and wealth of the Islamic nations; to unite with us. The Syrian government and the Palestinians and present a single front to defend the glory and honor of Islam and the Arabs; and to sever for evermore the hands of these criminals from their rich countries. Do not miss the opportunity, for tomorrow will be too late.

Imam's speech dated 27 June 1982 (6 Tir 1361 A. H. S). Sahifeh Noor, Vol. 16, p. 217.

The Egyptian government openly says that this Islamic Republic must not be and joins forces with the Israeli government to suppress Islam. They both agree to help Iraq against Iran. Why should the Islamic countries find themselves in a situation such that when Israel attacks Lebanon they are indifferent and some of them even forge friendships with Israel? We must continue to follow our own path and struggle on.

Imam's remarks dated 6 June 1982 (16 Khurdad 1361 AHS). Sahifeh Noor, Vol. 16,p .185.

Surely we belong to God and to Him shall we return (Qur'an 2:156) I use the sacred phrase "Surely we belong to God and to Him shall we return," not with reference to Israel's crimes and the martyrdom and y of many innocent Muslims in the dear land of southern Lebanon, though it would be appropriate to use it here too; nor do I use it with d to the occupation and destruction by the criminal Zionists and en regime of Israel of the cities and villages of that Islamic land, even ~h here too it would be appropriate; nor with reference to the ~cement of thousands of the brothers and sisters of that oppressed, tic region, even though here too it would be appropriate; nor with d to the oppressed Palestinians suffering under Israeli tyranny, even ~h here too it would be appropriate; nor regarding the martyrdom by the criminal supporters of Saddam of more than forty men, women and suckling infants of 11am⁽⁴³⁾ as they shouted out slogans against America and I, the blood-sucker, who were the targets of a bomb which also ~d more than two hundred innocent Muslim tribes people and destroyed a mosque, a religious centre, a hospital and the homes of the oppressed, even though here too it would be appropriate; rather I use it reference to the indifference of the Muslim governments, and wish it only indifference they displayed!

The phrase in reference to the support extended to Israel and Saddam, two illegitimate children of America, by many of the (Muslim) governments. I and Muslims everywhere must utter "Surely we belong to God and to Him shall we return" in reference to the spiritual and material help the governments of Islamic countries give America - the head of the criminals - Israel and the Aflaqite Ba'ath Party of Iraq which is the executer of America's and international Zionism's evil plans. Every self-respecting Muslim must utter this phrase in reference to the suggestion - put forward on the false accusation that Iran is receiving arms - that the command for jihad be issued against a country (Iran) is opposing Israel, and also with regard to the efforts to get officially recognized Israel that attacked the Islamic country of Lebanon martyring thousands of innocent Muslims in the south of that land. Israel, the aggressor and criminal, must be endorsed, America, the head of the aggreSs0rs~ must get material help from the resources of the oppressed and needy Islamic countries and, through the efforts of the mass media in the Islamic regions, obtain spiritual and political help, while Palestine and Syria must stand alone! I beseech God the Most High to awaken these governments that are neglectful of the interests of Islamic countries and heedless of the commands of the Noble Qur'an, from the sleep of indifference, and crush the enemies of Islam and the Muslims. Peace is with you and God's mercy and blessings.

Imam's message on the occasion of the Attack on southern Lebanon by the regime Occupying Quds, 7 June 1982 (17 Khurdad 1361 AHS). Sahifeh Noor, Vol. 16, pp. 186-187.

Although the Iranian nation and government have seen much improper opposition from many governments of the region, they do not wish to disregard Islamic brotherhood and turn to force. The regional governments devote all their efforts to opposing the government and people of Iran instead of joining hands together with them to free the region from the clutches of the big powers, who look on them as being dependent on them; instead of standing against these people who take their copious wealth, in particular their oil, free of charge; and instead of cleansing the region of the stain of Israel's existence.

Part of Imam's message on the occasion Of the hajj pilgrimage and the auspicious Feast of Sacrifice ('Id al-Qurban), dated 29 August 1984 (7 Shahrivar 1363 AHS). Sahifeh Noor, Vol. 19,p .47.

GROUNDLESS ACCUSATIONS (The rumour that the Islamic
Republic of Iran has relations with Israel) Ties between Iran and Israel: an absurd and childish accusation

We do not expect anything else from the likes of Sadat and Saddam who are the agents of powerful countries, of America, and who are building, or allowing to be built, bases for the infidels, the oppressors and America or allowing them to be built in Islamic lands. We do not expect anything else from them since they do not believe in Islam. They are servants, servants of America, who will do whatever it bids. They launched this attack on an Islamic country, without any reason, on the of the big powers, America in particular. We do not expect ling else of them. Of course they are obliged to oppose us through rent means, and we are sitting here, listening, and will neutralize their opposition. Accuse us of getting arms from Israel; they accuse a country that has opposed to this accursed band of Zionists from the beginning; they; e us who even before this revolution at the time of the now defunct, Pahlavi regime continually voiced our opposition to that corrupt rigame. We do not even consider Israel as being part of mankind, let have relations with it. For more than twenty years now one of the s which has been at the top of my agenda in my speeches and written declarations, wherever I may have been, has been Israel and its tyranny, many of the heads of Islamic countries have not been prepared to even one step in opposition to Israel. Take Saddam for example, which has brought all this trouble about. It is said that in order to try to save face the shame he brought on himself by attacking Islamic Iran and encountering defeat, and in order to cover up his crime, he made Israel) the (nuclear) centre so that it would appear that Israel opposed am, opposed the Ba'athist government of Iraq. After this they had excuse, an absurd excuse, and they began to publicize that Israel opposes Saddam but has ties with Iran. This is an absurd, childish statement by dint of which they hope to make the Islamic states consider us a supporter of Israel, whereas the truth of the matter is that from the time we first embarked on this movement one of our most pressing concerns was the elimination of Israel. They cannot prove such a false claim. Therefore, these brothers who have come here from abroad should investigate this matter and discover whether we are fighting with Israeli-made weapons or with the weapon of faith.

Imam's remarks dated 24 August 1981 (2 Shahrivar 1360 AHS). Sahifeh Noor, Vol. 15, pp. 108-109.

The plan for creating dissension among the Islamic sects is one of the crimes planned by the power-wielders and their ungodly agents, among them the court-affiliated preachers who are more contemptible than the oppressive kings, who benefit from dissension among the Muslims. Every day they fan the flames of dissension and arouse emotions. In the hope of destroying the very foundations of unity among Muslims, they use every opportunity they get to promote their plan for creating differences. Just recently, calumnious accusations were made over the propaganda loudspeakers that Iran has relations with Israel and buys weapons from it. This was done in the hope of driving a wedge between the Arabs and Iranians, of creating animosity among the Muslims, and of opening the way for the superpowers and increasing their influence to the full. For which informed individual is there who does not know that Iran has been in the past and still is the staunch enemy of Israel, and that one of the reasons for our dispute with the deposed Shah was his friendly relation with Israel? Who does not know that for more than twenty years now in my speeches and declarations I have placed Israel in the same category as America for its oppression, and after America, have condemned it for its aggression and plundering? Who does not know that throughout the Islamic revolution and in the fervent million-strong demonstrations, the Muslim people of Iran proclaimed Israel their enemy, one in the same category as America, and that they turned the oil off to them both and reviled both.

It is not surprising that this ominous tune is emanating from the throats of America, the mother of the illegitimate child Israel, and Saddam, the younger brother of Begin, and that their propaganda loudspeakers, America's in particular, are trying to disseminate it extensively. For the two have received from the real Islam, others have not red, and the anxiety the prospect of unity between the Arab and n Muslim brothers cause them, others do not experience. America is worried about its interests in the region and Saddam is worried about his fall and eternal disgrace. 4uslims, and in particular our Arab brothers, should realize that the is not simply Israel and Iran; the main issue for the world plunderers East and West is Islam. For it is Islam that can bring together the ms of the world under the honorable banner of tauhid (divine, that can sever the hands of the criminals from the Islamic countries and curtail their domination of the deprived and weak of the world, and an present the world with a valuable, progressive and divine school of thought. The Arabs of the world should realize that the blow dealt them by Saddam and Sadat is so severe that only through their unity wills e able to recover from it. Today Sadat, with the widespread arrest of our Muslim brothers in Egypt, has completed his service to Israel. His union with America and Israel has 1 loss of face for the Arab nation. His union with an Israel which in ~n to the crimes it perpetrates in the region has recently turned it's to another great crime: excavating at the al-Aqsa mosque, the first of the Muslims. And by weakening the foundations of this mosque, God forbid that the first qibla of the Muslims should be destroyed and should achieve its vile desire.

Imam's message dated 6 September 1981 (15 Shahrivar 1360 AHS). Sahifeh Noor Vol. 15, pp. 124-25.

Every day it is different, every day another novel scheme is carried into One day he (Saddam) comes to an agreement with Israel, which then bombs a place, an institution, in Iraq. He then puts the blame on Iran and accuses Iran of being Israel's accomplice. He accuses us who before the revolution opposed Israel and who from the beginning of the revolution to the present have always opposed Israel, have declared our opposition and have boycotted it and its allies in every respect. This Iran, he says, is not opposed to Israel; rather it is Israel's accomplice.

Imam's remarks dated 9 October 1981 (17 Mehr 1360 A. H. S). Sahifeh Noor, Vol. 15,p .183.

They make whatever accusations they like against an Islamic country, against Iran, whose people from the time this movement first emerged, and even before that, opposed Israel. Indeed one of the differences the Iranian people had with the now defunct Muhammad Reza was over him helping Israel. Now Iran is accused of buying arms from Israel by the self-serving propaganda trumpeted over the loudspeakers of America and its dependants.

Imam's remarks dated 16 December 1981 (25 Azar 1360 AHS). Sahifeh Noor, Vol. 15,p .264.

What has happened to the Muslims, what has happened to the Muslim leaders that have made them sacrifice all their dignity and self-esteem for the sake of America? What has happened to them that has made them offer up to America the great wealth of Islam, which belongs to the barefooted and weak nations, while in response to this offering, America supports Israel and declares that it will not sell it out for them? What has happened to the Muslims? Why should the Muslims be this way? Why should the Muslims' propaganda machines work against a group of Muslims who only want to free themselves from the grip of foreigners and international thieves? Why do they take sides against Iran? What has Iran done to deserve this? What has happened to make some of the court-affiliated clergymen accuse Iran of heresy? The Qur'an clearly stipulates that if someone claims to be a Muslim, he must be recognized as such and not be rejected. What do these people know about Islam? We shout out That we are Muslims, that we want to implement the laws of the venerable 'an and the commands of the Most Noble Prophet in this country, and over twenty years now we have been announcing our Opposition to el and America, yet still these writers in their magazines and newspapers and these broadcasters on the radio accuse us of having idly relations with Israel. Are we the friends of Israel or are those I sit by and watch while Israel does what it does to the Muslims? What Israel done to Lebanon and what is it doing to Syria? It has annexed Golan Heights and it aspires to do much more than this, yet still you want to recognize it. Do we have friendly relations with Israel n for more than twenty years we have been calling on you to come together and throw this cancerous tumour out from amongst the Muslims' midst, to take Beit ul-Moqaddas from it and deliver the Islamic countries I this cancerous tumour? Or do you? You who are using all kinds of tricks and deceit to officially recognize Israel and who are supporting a country which is against Islam and whose tyranny is clear to the whole world? You have the audacity to stand against God, you seek to give His enemy the staunch enemy of the Muslims the upper hand, you want to officially recognize it and give it peace. But even if you do officially recognize Israel, it will not recognize you. You are just sitting back waiting until Israel, God forbid, rules over you all.

Imam's remarks dated 10 (21 Bahman 1360 AHS). Vol. 16,p .38.

An aeroplane passes over one place and comes down some place else and the circulate a rumour that Israel was helping out and the documents exist (proving this). Which documents? This of a country, which has opposed for twenty odd years, which, proclaims it a usurper and calls e Muslims to unite together to drive it out of Muslim lands? Israel and the immoral America both are laughing at the Muslims' folly. Once these Muslims have let Israel alone and some of them are seeking to strike up friendly relations with it in accordance with America's command. They have concentrated all their efforts on propagandizing against Iran. They don't stop for a moment to ask them what is really going on. All of this Kow- towing to America, all of this kow-towing and fear, you give your resources to America, you have relations with it, apologies to it and dance attendance on it.

Imam's remarks dated 15 March 1982 (24 Esfand 1360 AHS). Sahifeh Noor, Vol. 16,p .77.

Pursuant to their evil and futile ambitions, these miserable people who have run away from Iran or were already abroad (at the time of the revolution) are sitting there, conversing and fabricating and spreading lies. One of their big lies, which is aired perhaps every night on the radio - just last night it was mentioned two or three times - is that Iran is buying instruments of war from Israel. They are accusing people who for twenty years have been at war with Israel, who have lambasted Israel. They are accusing an Iran, which, according to its religious laws, cannot have any kind of relationship with Israel and will not have. A few times last night it was repeated that Iran is buying arms from Israel. These people are no different from Saddam.

Imam's remarks dated 9 March 1982 (18 Esfand 1360 AHS). Sahifeh Noor, Vol. 16,p .69.

We have opposed Israel from the very first day, and these people who have paid attention to worldly affairs - to what goes on in the world - know this. For more than twenty years now in my speeches I have always spoken about Israel and said it should not become an independent state, that this oppressor should be removed from the face of the earth. I warned of the danger it poses but hitherto these very countries that say 'we are Muslims, we are Islamic,' have regarded us as Israel's accomplice! To it has been said of us that we are America's accomplices! This is f us who from the beginning have recognized America as a tyrant oppressor, who, when we saw that due to the treason of the former government our country was in America's grip, voiced opposition to this, the people rose up shouting 'death to America,' they took matters into their ands, seized that nest of spies⁽⁴⁴⁾, dismissed the people there and sent them packing. It is like saying we are working with America to carry on a with America! Is this anything other than a sign of the moral decadence of the heads of these countries? Many of these countries are slipping morally, that is why they pushed Saddam into attacking this Islamic country.

Imam's remarks dated 3 Farvardin 1361 AHS). Vol. 16,p .106.

I hereby notify you of a danger which faces you too, and it is that I would t it past Saddam, this Saddam whose rule is fast expiring, to at some time kill a number of you and lay the blame on Iran in order to force you ⁽⁴⁵⁾ There is much fear that this will happen. Do not underestimate this criminal and presume that he will not do anything. This al can perpetrate many crimes. In my opinion, this crime is imminent. Just as he bombs a place then says Iran has done it, just as he accuses us of obtaining weapons from Israel while it is he himself who is y, friend and brother of Israel, so too will he perpetrate this crime. Now also the superpowers and their broadcasters have taken up this ridiculous scheme (accusing Iran of buying arms from Israel). One says it was done with America's knowledge, America claims it said not to go so far while the Congress asks why it was done at all. For sure, they will all take up this issue, in order to make the people think that Israel has sent arms to Iran. All of them have upheld this claim, including Israel itself, who knows that in the eyes of the Muslims if it touches the ocean with its finger, the ocean will become unclean, consequently by claiming to have helped Iran it can give Iran a bad name. It knows that claiming to have an agreement with Iran will give Iran a bad name. Israel itself has perceived this.

Imam' s remarks dated 1 June 1982 (11Khurdad 1361 AHS). Vol. 16,p .170.

Do you think Israel will be content with this? Israel's intentions are to eliminate all these Muslims and America's intentions are to make sure Islam is not implemented. They all oppose the Islamic Republic because it bears the name 'Islamic' and because it wants to act upon Islam. They oppose it through their propaganda saying that we are pro-American or pro-Israeli! They say this of us who for twenty years now -fl in fact it must be more than that now - have been shouting out that the people's problems are caused by America and Israel. Yet we are pro-Israeli~ while those who are sitting there watching as Israel destroys their countries are not, no, they are all opposed to Israel If you are truly opposed to Israel then what have you done to show it? What actions have you taken?

Imam's remarks dated 22 August 1982 (31 Murdad 1361 AHS). Sahifeh Noor, Vol. 16,p .258.

In the past year the plotters, the newspapers and players of the media connected to America and Zionism have, with the utmost impudence accused Iran of bringing in weapons from Israel and of supporting this criminal regime. Now, however, at the Fez conference it has been revealed and is now clear who supports Israel: Saddam the criminal and most of the governments in the region. They support a criminal regime which after all the crimes it has committed and the services (it has received) from the small governments in the region has brazenly made a laughing stock of them, humiliating them enough to make any human being ~r than themselves ashamed, ashamed not because they are the heads of e governments but because of their connection to Islam and the fact the affairs of the Muslims are, unfortunately, in their hands.

Th result of these services to this criminal was the massacre of innocents in Beirut, a crime the depth of which we do not know. The magnitude of crime was such that according to news reports it provoked global Sage. Even the world's master criminals such as Reagan and Hosni Mubarak were forced to appear to condemn it. Its magnitude was such even those news agencies and newspapers, which usually side with Israel, condemned it describing it as the biggest criminal act since World r Two. It was such that even the world's criminal archetypes such as el, the Phalanges and their collaborators blamed each other for it.

The greatest misfortune for the Muslims is that the heads of the regional governments do not breathe a word (in protest), and more tragic and disgraceful than this is the unlimited and unconditional support given by some of the rulers in the region and the fact that once again in the Hijaz crimes of Israel and its grandfather America cannot be mentioned. With praise and thanks to the nourished of mankind we again receive divine help from Islam and the Islamic republic. God made this trick of presenting the Iranian government as a supporter of Israel -backfire on them and revealed their true colours before the nations. He revealed the true face of Saddam the Aflaqite who found an excuse to confront Israel and then wanted to use this to free himself from the warrior defenders of Iran and who, at the Fez conference, tried to provoke lions in a bid to gain support and official recognition for Israel and re its security. "And the unbelievers plotted and planned, and God lined; and the best of planners is God. " (Qur'an 3:54)

Imam's message dated 12 September 1982 (21 Shahrivar 1361 AHS). Sahifeh Noor, Vol. 17,p .33.

And more lamentable still is the Israeli affair that the imperialist propaganda loudspeakers have hitherto been spreading, accusing Iran of buying arms from Israel, of being an Israeli ally and even sometimes of being an ally of America. They accuse Iran of bringing these things in from Israel, Iran whose notable speakers have for about the past twenty years now in all their discourses given top priority to Israel and opposition to Israel, while Iraq, which supports Israel and is in turn supported by Israel, they claim is not an ally, no, indeed Iraq opposes Israel! The tragedy of it all is that the Muslims sit back with eyes, ears and hearts open yet blind to the realities. What must be done? Oh Friday Prayer leaders of Islamic lands, what must be done? Why have we reached this sorry state where America comes from the other side of the world, determines our countries' destinies and the destinies of the Islamic 'ulama - Albeit through other people - states quite clearly that it has interests in the region and interferes openly in the region's affairs while the Muslims simply sit back and look on? Oh Friday Prayer leaders of all Islamic countries! Make the people aware, make them ask why, this 'why' is applicable both to the West and the East.

Imam's remarks dated 2 January 1983 (12 Dey 1361 AHS). Sahifeh Noor, Vol. 17, pp. 141-142.

We will be steadfast to the end and will not establish relations with America other than if it turns over a new leaf and desists in its oppression, leaves Lebanon alone and goes back to the other side of the world whence it came, and does not stretch out its hands against the Persian Gulf. So long as America acts this way, South Africa employs such practices and Israel exists, we cannot accept them. Israel will not turn over a new leaf. Unfortunately you see how the devils persist in claiming that Iran has relations with Israel and America, even though since twenty years ago, at the time of the Shah, we have been shouting out and calling on the Muslims to comprehend the danger posed by Israel. We must remember we are a country that wants to be independent; we do not want others interfere in our affairs and so long as our relations with God the Blessed Exalted is strong, no one can harm us.

Imam's remarks dated 28 October 1984 (6 Aban 1363 AHS). Sahifeh Noor, Vol. 19,p .74.