Following are excerpts from a speech delivered by Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, Chairman of the Iranian Guardian Council, which aired on Channel 1, Iranian TV on October 3, 2008.
Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati: We are very happy that the American economy is in a state of confusion, and that they are finally facing the consequences of their evil deeds. God is punishing them. They are really in dire straits. This has spread to Europe, which also makes us happy. The more worried they become, the happier we are, just like when we are worried, they are happy. It’s mutual.
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The presence of America in Afghanistan and on the Pakistani borders is an issue that cannot be ignored. They cross all the lines and transgress all the boundaries. They are not committed to anything. They attack anywhere they like, and they kill whoever they like. They think the whole [world] belongs to them. But they should expect to receive a resounding slap in the face from Islam, the Muslims, and the Islamic Revolution.