TEHRAN – Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Saturday said the Iranian nation should rise to challenges on the road to independence and glory.

“It is natural that there are challenges for the Islamic system and for the Iranian nation which wants independence. In fact this indicates that the Islamic system is making progress,” Ayatollah Khamenei told Foreign Ministry officials and diplomats.
“The Islamic system has made unimaginable developments over the last thirty years in the face of major problems,” the Leader underlined.
The Supreme Leader called on people and officials to preserve national unity and adhere to the Islamic principles.
“Inside the country there is absolute unity which is noticeable in people’s relations with each other and with officials. Such unity is unprecedented in the world.”
The Islamic system’s adherence to the revolution’s principles is increasing every day, he stressed.
Ayatollah Khamenei expressed satisfaction over the country’s scientific progress, saying, “Some of Iran’s scientific achievements are limited to few special countries in the world.”
The Supreme Leader said, “Today the world calls Iran a regional power or superpower which shows that the Islamic system has made progress due to its adherence to the Islamic principles.”
He asserted, “The Foreign Ministry has the duty to manifest Iran’s glory in the world through brilliant and brave measures.”
Iran’s envoys to other countries should also have “true faith” in the Islamic principles, he added.
Addressing the Iranian diplomats, Ayatollah Khamenei said, “You are the representatives of a nation that stood up to all powers for eight years and achieved victory. You are also the representative of the Iranians’ bright future which is the 20-Year Outlook Plan, and you should move along the path defined in this plan.”
He also called on the Foreign Ministry to place improving relations with Islamic states atop its agenda