TEHRAN -- Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi said on Monday that the Judiciary would strongly deal with economic corruption and those involved, no matter what their position, adding that the government and the Anti-Financial Corruption Headquarters should provide the grounds for fighting against these problems.

Speaking at a gathering of Judiciary officials, Shahroudi congratulated the people on the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Ghadir. He said that the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, has provided officials with useful directives and that relevant officials should make use of these directives to fight against economic corruption. He added that supervisory organizations and preventive measures should be strengthened in order to systematize the methods of fighting economic corruption.

Shahroudi said that the fact that economic crimes are being properly dealt with, the serious determination of the heads of the government branches, and government officials' cooperation has frightened those involved in economic corruption and profiteers. He added that government officials should use this opportunity to strengthen the supervisory organs.

Shahroudi quoted the Leader as saying that corruption in the country's system is a problem whose source should be identified and dealt with.

He referred to the recent remarks of U.S. President George W. Bush and said that human rights organizations should fulfill their duties and challenge the human rights violations of the Bush administration, because if they fail to do so the existence of the United Nations would be put into question.

He added that the United States has long been waiting for a chance to control the economic and oil resources of Iran and the Middle East and will use all means at its disposal to achieve its goal.