Foreign Policy

(Wise Sayings of Imam Khomeini)

o While maintaining independence, we shall have friendly relations with all

     countries.

o We are on friendly terms with all nations, and if governments behave

     respectfully, we shall reciprocate in kind.

o The foreign policy of Iran is based on mutual respect with all governments

     without discriminating among them.

o We shall behave with respect toward all governments provided they do not

     interfere in our internal affairs and treat us with mutual respect.

o We should have relations with foreign countries which do not mean to

      swallow us. Relations with those who seek to subordinate us through

      relations are not required and these must be dealt with caution.

o We are on the side of the oppressed. We support the oppressed regardless

     of the pole they are in.

o We have the duty of saving the oppressed and the deprived people.

o It is an Islamic duty incumbent on all Muslims to help anyone who is

     oppressed.

o We have a duty to support the oppressed and be inimical to the oppressors.

o We are opposed to any deal that damages the interests of the Muslims.

o When we serve the nation, the nation will support us and then the

     foreigners' greed ceases.

o   We are not opposed to nations; we oppose oppressive governments

whether they oppress us or our Muslim brothers.

o   We are not prepared to let a government use economic exchanges as levers

for political influence and imposition of its imperialist designs.

o   World conditions no longer admit a few to be "masters" and all others to

be "slaves".

o   Just as we do not accept oppression in our relations with other countries.

we do not oppress others either.

o   Relationship between a nation that has risen up to free itself from the

clutches of international pilferers and a world-devourer is always in the

interest of the pilferer and disadvantageous to the oppressed.

o   We oppose any country, whether Eastern or Western, that wants to

oppress others.

o   Today the only non-aligned country is Iran. You cannot find another

country that is "non-aligned" in the real sense.

o   Destroy anyone in any position who may want to compromise with the

East or the West; dive him away as ruthlessly as you can.

o   Defending Islam and the Hizbullah [Party of Allah] is an unimpeachable

principle of the policy of the Islamic Republic.

o   We cannot separate our own account from that of other Muslims. o Care for the affairs of Muslims is the most necessary duty.

o Tending to the affairs of Muslims is a very important religious duty.

o We hope that the Muslim nations will overcome colonialism in the near

      future; we shall not spare any assistance when due.

o Our state is an independent sovereign state, and we are on friendly terms

      with those states that do not interfere in our domestic affairs.