The prevailing assumption among mainstream analysts in the U.S. and Europe is that the jihad against the West will end once Muslim grievances are redressed, so a combination of concessions and foreign aid will take care of the problem. But here Khatami says, “As long as the enemy exists, jihad will exist too.” This gives the lie to the mainstream analysis. Khatami doesn’t say, “As long as the enemy has a foreign policy to which we object, jihad will exist.” Nor does he say, “As long as the enemy oppresses us, jihad will exist.” He says “As long as the enemy exists, jihad will exist” — i.e., no matter what the enemy does.
“Tehran Friday Sermon: The Iranian President Should Punch Obama in the Mouth when He Talks Nonsense,”MEMRI, April 25, 2014:
During a Friday sermon
delivered in Tehran, Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami criticized the U.S., saying that
its "despotic administration" openly conspired against Iran. "If
the American president talks nonsense, our president should punch him in the
mouth," he said. The crowds responded to the sermon with chants of
"Death to America!"
Following are excerpts
from the sermon, which was delivered on April 25, 2014, and broadcast on Iran’s
Channel 1:
Ahmad Khatami: The arrogant pharaohs throughout history have
always considered themselves superior to everybody everywhere. The actions of
the despotic U.S. administration constitute a clear example of this.
Look what they are doing
in Ukraine. What is going on there? Who the hell are you to interfere in the
affairs of another people? Their vice president went to Ukraine, and a few
hours after he left, people were killed there. What is behind these
declarations? A cloud of war hangs over that region. This is what is called an
"aggressive nature."
Afghanistan, Iraq, and
Iran are hundreds of miles away from America. From across the world, they
intervene in Afghanistan and Iraq, and conspire against Islamic Iran. That is
one thing.
Secondly, the Iranian
regime – to use their own words – is a complete democracy of the people. The
people went to the ballot, and with a turnout of over 98 percent, voted for the
regime, in accordance with all the democratic criteria. Nevertheless, from day
one and to this very day, the [Americans] have not ceased to openly conspire
against Islamic Iran.
Take for example, the
secret spy den [the U.S. embassy] – the Muslim students knew that as long as
that spy den remained open, the revolution could not be consolidated. They took
over the den, caught the spies, and help America by the throat for 444 days.
Well done!
Imam [Khomeini] managed
this affair and called it the "Second Revolution." If countries that
waged a revolution, like Egypt, had learned from our experience, they wouldn't
have been in the situation they find themselves in today.
Third, the top U.S.
officials without exception – from Carter to Obama – all wanted to topple the
Islamic regime. It's not that they did not want to, but they failed to do so.
They keep pouring their venom.
Crowd member: Death to America!
Crowd: Death to America!
Death to America!
Death to America!
[…]
Ahmad Khatami: When our top negotiators enter the room, they
should know that when they face the Americans, they face a hostile enemy that
cannot be trusted at all. Thank God, our top negotiators have acknowledged this
a few times in the past. Just as you confront them during the negotiations, you
must confront them on the level of political declarations… If the American
president talks nonsense, our president should punch him in the mouth.
[…]
Some people ask us until
when we will continue to shout: "Death to America!" They might as
well ask until when we will say our prayers and fast. As long as the enemy
exists, Jihad will exist too.
