On August 3, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei confirmed Hassan Rouhani as President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, kicking off his second term. Rouhani won 57 percent of the vote, compared with 38 percent for his closest rival, in the May 19 election. The supreme leader called on him to advocate for the poor, strengthen national unity, administer justice, and highlight the values and principles of the Islamic revolution. Rouhani said his administration’s main priority would be to increase production and employment. Another inauguration ceremony has been scheduled for August 5. The following are excerpted remarks by Rouhani with the full text of Khamenei’s decree.
President Hassan Rouhani
The main priority of the 12th Administration is increasing production and employment and I reach out to all those who think about Iran’s glory and bright future.
If today, Iran is an independent country in the Islamic World and has kept its religious and Islamic identity, it is mainly because Imam Reza’s (AS) shrine in this land. Imam Reza (AS) taught us how we can make the right decision in the era of war on power.
Thank God for being born in the era of Islamic revolution and witnessing a revolution that was the result of Imam [Khomeini] and people’s braveries.
During the last four decades we have learned a lot of lessons and we will take them on the way we have ahead of us; we have learned that the Islamic Republic of Iran is an integrated combination of republicanism and Islamism and none of these two must be ignored.
We have learned that the Iranian society has lifestyle diversity. Our women, men, young people, villagers and townspeople do not live the same way and they do not have the same understanding of culture and art.
Today, we know that the regional, global and national developments related to women and the youth will be very effective in the future of the country and we acknowledge that to build a future that features freedom, security, peace and progress required relying more on their endless capabilities.
After four decades, all those who have been engaged in the politics have developed the idea that the only way to build a fair and just society is moderation.
The administration’s efforts are aimed at leading people towards their rights. Rooting out poverty and eradicating corruption are people’s rights.
Economic growth, Iran’s pride in international circles, accessing regional and global markets, free atmosphere, easy access to information, equality before the law, having a secure future, discussion and voicing opinions, are all people’s rights.
Safeguarding people’s right will not be possible without moderation, distancing from extremes, acknowledging the rule of law, and the culture of obeying the law.
In the Islamic Republic, the yardstick is people’s votes and people voice their ideas about the current policies of the country and the way of managing the country.
People carried out their duty brilliantly and now the burden of responsibility is on our shoulders.
We heard people’s voice once again and we came again for promotion of Islam, Iran’s pride, government’s authority, and serving all Iranians.
Freedom, independence, democracy, security and social justice are among the great achievements of the Islamic revolution.
The other advantage of religious democracy is that we have all accepted that we have different political, economic, and cultural opinions in our 80-million society and we have accepted that ultimately, it is people’s votes that choose their desired path.
Without a doubt, the great achievements of our religious democracy is indebted to the late Imam and the Supreme Leader’s guidance, who prepared the groundwork for growth and progress with their fatherly behavior.
The 11th Administration has taken important steps in this regard through bringing back economic stability and decreasing inflation and increasing public services including insurance for all and healthcare reform plan.
One of the aims of the 12th Administration is completely rooting out absolute poverty from the Iranian society.
Creating employment and producing wealth require extensive investment and accessing the market and advanced technologies.
We cannot have sustainable, fair national development without a clear and trustable plan, as well as constructive, effective interaction with the world, which has been stressed in the outlook document.
Leaving the hardest sanctions behind with a combination of diplomacy power and defensive power have been the first step in such as path.
Although the Islamic Republic of Iran has paid the price of the country’s independence and will continue to do so, it will never accept any isolation imposed by its enemies.
—Aug. 3, 2017, in a speech
“The Iranian nation will respond respect with respect and humiliation with appropriate response [regarding the nuclear deal].”
“The new administration’s policy will continue to be extensive, balanced interaction with the world.”
“The 12th Administration’s pivotal program is based on freedom, security, peace and progress.”
“On behalf of the Iranian people and authorities, I explicitly announce that the Islamic Republic of Iran will not start violating the JCPOA but will not remain quiet against the U.S. continuing to wriggle out of its commitments either.”
“We have no business with novice politicians, but announce the older ones that the experience of JCPOA can be used as a model for relations and international law.”
“We are a peace-seeking administration in domestic and foreign policies; we prefer peace over war and reform over preservation.”
“Today is not the era of the mother of bombs; let us unveil the mother of negotiations. We stretch our hand of friendship to our neighboring countries.”
“Foreign powers intensified instability, chaos in region by selling billions of dollars of weapons”.
—Aug. 5, 2017, at the swearing-in ceremony in Parliament
“People’s votes paved the way for the 12thAdministration’s work and today, I am happy to tell our great nation that we could fulfil most of our promises that we gave in the beginning of the 11th Administration.”
“Before the 11th Administration, we were sanctioned by the Security Council and the United Nations but today, we are under no sanctions by the Security Council; of course, there are some sanctions and we must confront them.”
“Today, our relations with countries throughout the world are better and the groundwork is ready for growth and people’s economic activities.”
“During the past four years, we witnessed insurance for all, decrease in treatment costs and self-sufficiency in various sectors such as agriculture, oil and gas.”
“We hope to be able to execute and operationalize the promises we made to people, especially those concerning living conditions and economic growth.”
“I hope we witness absolute poverty completely eradicated at the end of 12th Administration.”
“The 12th Administration will work with other countries to establish more stability in the region.”
—Aug. 5, 2017, at a press conference after the swearing-in ceremony
August 3 Decree of Supreme Leader Khamenei
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
I thank Allah the Exalted for making the great people of Iran proud during yet another notable political and social test, and for turning their auspicious presence –in one of the most fundamental national movements– into a lofty step towards protecting the dignity and security of the country and the magnificence of the holy Islamic Republic.
The enthusiastic elections, the long line of voters throughout the country, the high turnout of participants in electing the President, and also the overwhelming votes that the President-elect won, are all clear signs of the Islamic government's success in strengthening and establishing the Islamic Republic and the people-based characteristic of this revolutionary government. It is one of the most important and fundamental capabilities of our dear Islamic country –one of its countless capabilities– which makes the achievement of lofty revolutionary ideals possible, a harbinger of a bright future for the country and for the nation.
With the guidance and blessings of God, in the shade of the Great Imam of the Age's (may our souls be sacrificed for his sake) attention and benevolence; and by following the people of Iran's lead, I hereby endorse their votes, appointing the honorable scholar, Hujjatul-Islam Dr. Hassan Rouhani, as the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. I consider this occasion as a good sign, because it coincides with the days leading to the birth anniversary of Hazrat Abi al-Hassan ar-Ridha (thousands of greetings and compliments be upon him).
I pray for his success; furthermore, I strongly recommend that he use this sensitive position as a tool for gaining divine satisfaction and as a provision for the time he meets with God. He should focus his efforts on administering justice, advocating for the underprivileged classes, enforcing the rules of original Islam, strengthening national unity and dignity, attending to the massive capabilities and capacities of the country, and being outspoken in highlighting the values and principles of the Islamic Revolution. He should be confident that the valorous and courageous people of Iran will not leave the servants of the country alone, in times of difficulty or while confronting the aggression and greed of arrogance.
I once more deem it necessary to stress the importance of implementing the economy of resistance, paying special attention to the issue of employment and domestic production. I would like to reiterate that the vote of the people and their "endorsement" depends upon preserving and observing one's commitment towards the straight path of Islam and the Revolution.
Finally, I would like to commemorate our dear late Imam, I send my greetings to his immaculate soul and to the souls of martyrs on this path.
Greetings be upon God's righteous servants.