Radio and Television Message [Saddam's attack on Iran on America's instigation]

At this time when the schools must reopen- I hope that our youths and children go to their schools and begin their studies while being dedicated to Islam and the Islamic Republic- it should be pointed out to the groups that do not want the schools to reopen, that now when Iran is in this situation with Iraq officially declaring war against us, if what they say is true about their being with the nation and loyal to the people, they ought to cooperate with the government in this matter. If we see that they are creating disturbances in the schools, their [subversive] nature, of which we are somewhat aware, will be further revealed to the people of Iran. At this juncture when Iran is at war with America and this American puppet has launched an attack on Iran, if they cause disturbances or spread rumors to obstruct the reopening of the schools, it will become clear that they are American agents and in league with the wicked Saddam Husayn. Our nation should consider these matters with full awareness and in an imperturbable manner.

Certain points ought to be mentioned. One is that the Iranians should not think that the government and the army of Iran are helpless in responding to the Iraqi aggression. I will, at the proper time, order the people to fight and prove to Saddam Husayn and the likes of him that these slaves of America are nothing to talk about. We always make it a point that our response to their attacks should be such that the Iraqi people are not harmed. But in case Iraq oversteps its limits and repeats its aggression, we are resolved and determined to mobilize the people and order them to fight. It will then become clear to the Iraqi people that we have nothing against them and that it is this Saddam Husayn who has attacked us on America's instigation. Our response to his attack will have nothing at all to do with the people of Iraq who are our brothers.

Today, I heard the wretched voice of this man. That is, I heard the address he made. It seems that he has become a Muslim recently because he has resorted to invoking Hadrat Amir, `Ali ibn Aboutalib, Imam Husayn (s), etc. and thereby deceive the people, unaware of the fact that the people of Iraq know him for what he is. They came to know this communist government from the very beginning of its coming to power when the late Aqa Hakim «1» had boycotted and excommunicated it. The people have also come to know the nature of this government because of the acts that it has committed; it executed the great `ulama' of Iraq. Now he [Saddam] is seeking the help of the Iraqi people while he has been repressing them. At this time that he came into power, I sounded a not of warning that he was crazy and out of his mind. He is acting madly and will eventually destroy himself.

I would like to say a few things to the Iranians and also the Iraqi people and Army. What I wish to tell the Iranians is that they should not be under the impression that the Iranian army is incapable of stopping them. It is not so. Iran's army, the armed forces and our dear pasdars are capable of it, but they will not take any serious action unless the matter itself turns serious. The day it does turn serious, I will order all of them to act seriously and put Iraq in its place.

The people of Iran should not think that a war has started. And now we should lose our composure. There is nothing of the sort. They came, dropped a bomb and fled. The government of Iran is busy in preparing to respond to them, and it will do so. Their navy has been totally destroyed and their army will also meet the same fate. Do not think that it is something big. Iran was also somewhat involved in these wars that took place. I remember both of them [that is, the two World Wars]. It is no problem at all. If our enemies spread rumors, if the various factions, the [subversive] groups and splinter groups that are present in Iran now wish to avail themselves of the opportunity and spread rumors and, phoning various places, say that this and that has happened or a coup d'etat has taken place, you should know that nothing of the sort has happened. It is only that a thief came, threw a stone and ran away to where he came from. By the will of God, he will not have the power to repeat his act. I advise the people to consider certain points. They must keep calm and pay no heed to the rumor that something has occurred. Nothing has occurred, really. This rumor should not be heeded as, otherwise, it could lead to the outbreak of disturbances.

Another point is that it is possible for these characters, who are against Islam and have been opposing the Islamic Republic from the outset, to spread rumors that the Iranian army and gendarmerie are themselves doing all this mischief, and so compel you to confront them. No; it is not so. Iran's army and gendarmerie are loyal to us. They are engaged in fighting Iraq. Do not believe them if they [the mischief-makers] come and tell you such things and incite you to attack the garrisons. Such a thing is not permissible. Islam considers it to be one of the big sins as it is against the pleasure of God. By no means should you pay attention to these characters. If you find any of them inciting the people, catch hold of him and hand him over to the committees. Such people should be handed over to the committees so that they are punished. This is what I wish to tell the people: Keep calm and do not fear anything. There is absolutely no cause for concern. There is nothing to fear. Maintain your composure, stop these rumor-mongers and pay no heed whatsoever to the rumors. I am in contact [with the authorities] and get all the news. The President «2» and the Prime Minister «3» had come here earlier today and gave me a report. I will mobilize the people whenever I need to do so. May the day not come, God willing, for such a thing to happen.

I also wish to say something to the Iraqi army. Who does the Iraqi army want to fight? Whom does it support; whom does it oppose? Is it supporting Saddam who is a communist and an infidel? Against whom? Against Islam? The Iraqi army must know that this person who has revealed his head and invokes `Ali ibn Aboutalib (s) and Husayn ibn `Ali (s) is their enemy. This man is their enemy. He is actually Islam's enemy. The Iraqi army should realize that this war is a war against Islam. It is in support of heresy' such a war is against the pleasure of God. The Blessed and Exalted Lord will never forgive that rise against Islam for the sake of supporting infidelity as according to religious ruling, Saddam Husayn is an infidel himself and also supports infidelity. He is Carter's supporter, and is committing aggression against Iran for the sake of supporting Carter and getting military assistance from him. Carter has compelled his servants, like Saddam Husayn, Sadat and their like, to attack Iran and inflict harm upon it. The people of Iraq and Egypt ought to realize that if, God forbid, they confront Iran; if the Iraqi army confronts Iran, it is tantamount to confronting Islam and harming it, and also harming the Prophet of Islam, in support of heresy and in support of Saddam and Carter.

The Iraqi people should know that this nucleus of mischief is behaving with them just like Muhammad Rida behaved with the Iranians. We outsed him and they, too, should derive him out of Iraq. They should rise against this kernel of evil who wants to destroy Islam and replace it, as he thinks, with `Arab nationalism though he really has no belief in it. And he has no such intention, either. He actually wants to open the doors of the Muslim countries to America. This crime of ours, a forgivable one in Saddam Husayn's view, is that we oppose America. And, therefore, he says whatever he likes about us. He says that we are Magi; we who are propagating the Qur'an and Islamic precepts in our country, we who are implementing Islamic principles in our country in the place of the ones that existed before, are being called Magi by this person. And they [the Iraqi regime] who are against Islam and the Muslims, consider themselves to be the supporters of `Ali ibn Aboutalib (s) and the companions of the Apostle of God. The Iraqis should realize that this man is dangerous to them. The danger he posses to Iraq is great. But he is not able to harm our people. He is a great danger to the Iraqis. The people of Iraq should try with all their might to destroy this corrupt person, as well as this group [Iraq's ruling party] which is acting against Islam and the good of Islam, and also against the Qur'ran.

The soldiers and officers of the Iraqi army should realize that the war against Iran is a war against Islam and the Qur'an. It is a war against the Prophet of God and is one of the unlawful acts that the Blessed and Exalted Lord will never forgive. They should do what the Iranian army did to the ex-Shah: they left him and joined the nation; the soldiers ran away from the garrisons and joined the people's ranks. They, too, should desert and employ their forces to topple this root of corruption. God will help them if they rise and overthrow this person, and install one from among themselves in his place. We will also help them in this; in one of their countrymen heading the Iraqi government. They should overthrow this man who is engaged in seditious acts against Islam and the good of Islam. They must join the nation.

The people of Iraq are not in favor of Saddam Husayn at all. They have not approved of him for even a single day. They are in favor of Islam. One who accepts Islam, who regards the Qur'an as His Book and faces the Ka`bah in prayer, cannot support an infidel who is living under the protection of infidels such as Carter and those like him. I wish to advise them- the Iraqi army- to rise and overthrow this person if they are able to do so, and to appoint somebody from among themselves in his place. In such a case, we are ready to help them. But if this is not possible for them, they should desert the army and refrain from fighting against Islam.

I would also like to tell the people of Iraq to rise with all your power against this man who has risen against Islam. His war against Iran is the war of the infidels against Muslims; the war of the army of heresy against Islam's army. They must oppose this man with all their might and wage war against him. If these acts [of aggression] being done by Saddam Husayn and his masters, God forbid, escalate, I will tell the people of Iran to do their duty. But I hope that it will not come to that, for if it does, there will be no more of Baghdad.

May God's peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you.