We support nation of Afghanistan; Governments come, go: Supreme Leader

The following is an excerpt of the statements Ayatollah Khamenei stated in this speech:

We support the nation of Afghanistan. Governments come and go. What remains is the Afghan nation. The nature of our relations with governments depends on the nature of their relations with us. May God bring the best situation for the nation of Afghanistan.

Afghanistan is our brother country, with the same language, religion and culture. The source of Afghanistan’s crises is the US. During 20 years of occupation, they committed all sorts of atrocities— bombing weddings and mourning ceremonies, imprisonment and 10 times more drug production.

The current US government is no different from the previous one. They demand the same things that Trump demanded. 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.

Diplomacy should not be impacted by the nuclear issue. In the nuclear issue, the U.S. acted extremely shamelessly. They withdrew from the JCPOA but talked as if Iran had withdrawn from it. They ridiculed the negotiations. The Europeans acted like the U.S., too.

Diplomatic dynamism should be intensified and economic aspects of diplomacy fortified in the new Administration. Foreign trade with neighboring countries and other nations should also be bolstered. Except for a couple of countries, friendly ties are possible with most countries.

A manifestation of being a people’s government is going among the people to hear their problems directly, without intermediaries. Going to Khuzestan yesterday was a very good, admirable move by Mr. Raisi. This is a manifestation of being a people’s government.

​Similar to previous Administrations, I say to the new Administration too that time passes by very fast. These 4 years will finish quickly. Use every moment of it. Don’t let this time, which belongs to the people and to Islam, be wasted.