Apparently, some government polling has shown that line didn’t sell, because now the president is on a different tack—the importance of development so that Iran will eventually rank high in the world.
“If a nation has the best ideas, culture, behavior and civilization, but is not developed, no one listens to that country in today’s world,” he told a crowd in Kerman province. “No one takes that country into consideration in international affairs. You can see our scientific development, which is reported and reckoned with in the world. Our modern technologies are seen as breaking news in the world. When we send up a satellite, it becomes the main topic in world news.”
He then spoke of the importance of ranking Iran high in the world. “Countries of the world are ranked in the steel sector, agriculture, car manufacturing, household appliances, science, technology and innovations. These are some of the criteria for ranking countries.
“They also rank countries based on their popularity and social classes. They ask whether there is poverty and backwardness and whether there are undeveloped regions. These are also criteria to rank nations. These are also the criteria for nations’ influence in international relations.
“And if we want to have an influence in the international arena—and we must have it—if we want to protect ourselves, we should leave our mark. Others draw plans and impose their plans on us. We should develop Iran. How can we build Iran? Firstly, we should rely on God. Secondly, we should unite and build Iran with joint effort—we are a family. And third, we must get to work and develop Iran,“ Ahmadi-nejad said.
“Nobody should think that the arrogant powers do not exist or are asleep. We should remain vigilant until such arrogance is uprooted in the world. We should join our efforts to develop Iran. They are afraid of Iran’s development. Why? Because when they look through history and our background, they see our potential. They are well aware that in case of any opportunity, Iran will score a triumph in every sphere in the world. If there is an opportunity, Iran will turn into a role model for other countries.”
That last sentence was a notable change, given that Ahmadi-nejad has long said that the Islamic Republic is already a role model for the world.