He advised the new officials to focus their efforts on carrying out a revolutionary, rational reconstruction in all managerial areas. In presenting a definition of “revolutionary,” Imam Khamenei said, “Being revolutionary should always be accompanied by rationality. This has been the correct approach adopted by the Islamic Republic from the first day and has continued up until today. A revolutionary movement should be accompanied by wise, reasonable actions.”

Praising Hujjat al-Islam wal-Muslimeen Raisi for his trip to Khuzestan, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution described this action as a manifestation of the administration being a government of the people. He stated, “One manifestation of being a government of the people is going among the people and listening to them directly without intermediaries. This action by Mr. Raisi yesterday–going to Khuzestan, being among and with the people, and listening and talking to the people there–was a very good, praiseworthy action.”

The former President of the Islamic Republic during the time of Imam Khomeini stated that the country has not yet met expectations in terms of justice. He said, “The Islamic government and the Islamic Republic are based on the administration of justice. In my opinion, every resolution that you adopt and every bill that you ratify should have a section on justice. You must be careful that your resolutions do not damage justice or violate the rights of the underprivileged classes of society.” 

Elsewhere in his statements, Imam Khamenei stated that the foreign diplomacy of the country should be more active, in particular the economic diplomacy of the country. He went on to say, “Foreign trade should be strengthened both with our neighbors and with other countries. Apart from one or two countries, it is possible to establish good, constructive relations with most countries in the world.”

Furthermore, he stated that the diplomacy of the country should not be overshadowed by the nuclear issue. He stressed that the Americans have passed all limits in impudence and brazenness regarding the nuclear negotiations. He added, “It was they who withdrew from the JCPOA, but they speak as if it was Iran who withdrew from it. In reality, it was they who mocked the negotiations. The Europeans acted in the same way.”

Imam Khamenei reiterated that the current US administration is no different from the previous Administration and that the new Administration makes the same demands that the Trump Administration did.

Touching on the issue of Afghanistan and the role US foreign policy has had in creating the situation in Afghanistan, he remarked, “Behind the scenes of US foreign policy there lies a predatory wolf that sometimes changes into a cunning fox. Today’s situation in Afghanistan is an example of this.”

Explaining the current situation in Afghanistan, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution stated, “Afghanistan is our brother country, with the same language, religion and culture. The source of all the crises in Afghanistan is the US. The US committed all sorts of atrocities during their 20-year occupation of that country. These ranged from bombing wedding and mourning ceremonies, to imprisoning individuals, and included increasing the production of addictive drugs by tens of times. They did not take a single step for the development of Afghanistan.”

Explaining the position of the Islamic Republic on Afghanistan, Imam Khamenei said, “We support the Afghan nation. Governments come and go. It is the Afghan nation that will remain. The nature of our relations with other governments depends on the nature of their relations with us. May God bring the best situation for the nation of Afghanistan.”