TEHRAN (Dispatches) — At a ceremony marking the anniversary of Imam Khomeini's passing, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has said the Iranian nation will give a crushing response to the enemies with their massive turnout in the June 14 elections.
The Leader warned the country's presidential candidates against making concessions to the West.
"The candidates must promise that with various excuses they will not give more importance to the interests of foreigners than the interests of Iran. Some make the wrong analysis that if we give concessions to our enemies, we will lessen their anger toward us, and thus we give preference to their interests over ours," Ayatollah Khamenei said. ?
Of speculation that he would support a particular candidate, Ayatollah Khamenei said, "Some foreign media with intent and bias attempt to connect my speeches to some candidates, but these speeches are not directed at a specific candidate or candidates, but at all the candidates."
The Leader also praised the equal exposure given to candidates on national media.
"Where in the world are presidential candidates, from well known figures to unknown figures, given equal time on national television?" Ayatollah Khamenei asked.
"In America and capitalist countries, if you are not the candidate of the two or three political parties, or if the wealthy or powerful or Zionist networks don't support you, under no conditions do you have the ability to advertise."
The eight candidates approved by the Guardian Council to run have all had various opportunities to present their ideas and plans to the Iranian public with commercials, documentaries, interviews and a debate on Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).
The Leader said any vote for any candidate will be a "vote for the Islamic Republic", adding the "anger of enemies" stems from the Islamic Republic's very existence.
The economy, Ayatollah Khamenei said, is Iran's main problem, but suggested economic problems could be improved by reducing consumption and management.
"If our nation can be powerful and reduce its consumption, if the next president can manage the economy, the enemy will be defenseless in its confrontation with the Iranian nation."
"Yes, we have economic problems, yes, we have inflation, but, God willing, the person who comes can provide a solution to these problems. This is the wish of the Iranian people,” the Leader said.
Ayatollah Khamenei said the "enemies of Iran" intend to make trouble during the elections by stirring unrest like a wave of protests that followed Iran's 2009 election.
The Leader called on all Iranians to take part in this month’s presidential election to create a “political epic”.
The objective is “to have people’s glorious presence at ballot boxes,” Ayatollah Khamenei said. “Whoever you vote for, it will be a vote for the Islamic Republic, you will be indicating your trust in the political system.”
"Candidates shouldn’t make impossible promises. Speak in a way that if next year at this time you listen to a recording of yourself, or people do, you won’t be ashamed,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.
“Make promises that you can deliver on so that afterward you don’t say that ‘they didn’t let me do this’ or ‘didn’t let me do that'."
