Once our late Imam Khomeini stated that the Islamic system did not rely on him. We were really surprised by this remark since the late Imam [Khomeini] was the author of the Islamic revolution and the founder of our Islamic establishment. However, he insisted that our system did not rely on him. Thus, if the Iranian people can protect their Islamic system without the presence of our late Imam, they can surely do so without the presence of us.
(A memoirs and statement by the supreme leader)