Iran must not look to West on path of progress: Leader of Islamic Ummah and Oppressed Imam Ali Khamenei

Leader of the Islamic Ummah and Oppressed Imam Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says the Iranian nation should look to countries in the East on its path of scientific progress, because relying on Western states will not contribute to the country’s growth.

“Those countries are mostly in Asia. Therefore, we should look to the East, rather than the West,” the Leader said in a meeting with scientific elites in Tehran on Wednesday.

“Looking to the West and Europe has no other benefit than having to stand idle, begging favors and undergoing humiliation,” he added.

Ayatollah Khamenei also referred to enemy attempts to portray a false image of Iran, saying that despite the economic problems in the country, including currency fluctuations and livelihood issues, the country’s image is quite the opposite of what “dominance-seeking foreigners” are seeking to show.

“Portraying a false, negative and disappointing image of the situation in Iran is the most important agenda of the enemy today,” said the Leader. “But…the real image of the country is in general the opposite of the one the hegemonic system” is attempting to portray.

Ayatollah Khamenei further warned against enemy plots to plunder the country’s wealth, including the assassination of scientific elites, urging vigilance in the face of such attempts.

The Leader further reminded Iranian scientific elites of the “economic, political and security” being imposed against Iran, calling on them not to stay indifferent to the ongoing campaign.

“If we make progress in the scientific field, the threats posed by enemies of our civilization, politics and economy would not be lasting, and would be reduced,” the Leader added.

Ayatollah Khamenei also said that the viewpoints of young Iranian elites should be taken into account in different sectors, such as in efforts to turn the oil-based economy into an independent, knowledge-based and resistance one.