Statements at the Graduation Ceremony of Army Graduates

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

I congratulate the dear graduates and the faithful youth who have proudly completed their studies and will today enter the ranks of service in the armed forces of the Islamic Republic and the beloved army of the Islamic Republic. I also congratulate the dear youth who have received their epaulettes and will, God willing, successfully complete their training.

Truly and justly, today our armed forces and the army of the Islamic Republic of Iran are in a very favorable position. You are preferred over other armies for two reasons: first, your goal is a divine and human goal, and second, there is a strong heartfelt bond between you and the people. All societies and countries of the world need power to secure their safety, to tread the path of dignity, and to achieve material and spiritual comfort; a power that is fundamentally and importantly provided by the armed forces in any society or country. The main difference lies in the fact that the model of power in the material systems that currently dominate the world is different from the model of power in the Islamic system. In material systems, power relies on material foundations - on money, on weapons, on deceptive propaganda, and wherever necessary, hypocritically and deceitfully - but in the Islamic and spiritual model, this power primarily relies on spiritual factors and divine values; it relies on faith, on trust in God Almighty, and on sincere efforts towards lofty ideals. This does not mean that we should disregard weapons, nor that we should view order, equipment, and training as unimportant; all of these are necessary; however, the spirit of these - which are considered the body and framework - is the feeling of divine duty, the feeling of reliance on God Almighty. This is what makes an army, a collection of armed forces, a nation so resilient and steadfast that the material powers cannot bring it to its knees, and ultimate victory and success is with it.

This is not merely theoretical; it is not a statement of wishful thinking and lofty aspirations; this is our practical experience. You dear youth can closely study these truths in the recent history of your country. The victory of the Iranian nation in confronting the tyrannical regime is a complete example of the triumph of spiritual factors over material factors. The tyrannical regime, the dependent and corrupt regime, in this dear and oppressed homeland, relied on various tools of material power from international powers; however, it was defeated by an unarmed nation equipped with faith and self-confidence.

The second experience was that of the Iranian nation during the Sacred Defense. The East and West of that day supported the corrupt Ba'ath regime; America supported it, NATO supported it, the Soviet Union of that time supported it, and regional reactionaries supported it; they provided money, weapons, information, and human resources to bring the Islamic Republic and the Iranian nation to defeat; but the Iranian nation, amidst comprehensive sanctions, especially the sanctions on weapons and military equipment, in complete isolation, relying on its faith, the faith of its youth, and the courage and bravery of its armed forces, was able to defeat this enemy, which was backed by a mountain of weapons and equipment, and nullify the costs that were poured upon the tyrannical regime.

Today is no different. Today, the world of global arrogance has not yet found a way to confront Islamic Iran. Relying on material power, equipping their friends and allies with weapons - you can see how much modern weaponry is entering this region, and how much money the nations of this region are spending on these weapons, which goes into the pockets of the military-industrial complex of America and the West - is futile; "They will spend it, then it will be a source of regret for them." (1) They spend this money, but it does not help them and is of no use.

Islamic Iran, relying on faith, has been able to surpass others even in the realm of material tools. Of course, the Air Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its esteemed martyrs, such as Martyr Satari, Martyr Babaei, Martyr Khodrani, Martyr Douran, and others, were pioneers in this path. The first self-sufficiency jihad institution of the armed forces was established in the Air Force; flight crews in one way, technical crews in another; they created value. The Islamic Republic will never forget these services. In this field, the army rose up, the IRGC rose up, various officials of the armed forces rose up, universities helped, and the scientists of the country collaborated. Today, the Iranian nation, in addition to its faith and spirituality and its spiritual values, relies on the material tools produced by its own hands and through its own ingenuity; this is an honor.

We want our youth to feel that they can rely on themselves and on the help of God Almighty; they can be independent of the arrogant and oppressors of the world; they can create armed forces equipped with the products and innovations of Iranian minds. Look at everything with this perspective, study with this view, continue your research and inquiry in this direction, rely on yourselves; this is your experience, the experience of your country, the experience of your predecessors in the Islamic Republic and in all the armed forces. When you rely on yourselves, your forces, your talents will spring forth like an inexhaustible fountain from within and present its products to you, to your organization, and to your nation.

The report that the commander of this university provided is a good report. In various sections, what they report has been accomplished, which is good; but do not be satisfied with these. The path to perfection is an endless path; the further you go, the more you will taste the pleasure of perfection. This is true in spiritual perfections - in closeness to God, in attention to God, in love for God and spirituality, in traversing the divine realm - and it is also true in material matters; the more you advance, the more you will feel dignity, joy, and power. This path is yours, young people. The country belongs to you, the army belongs to you, the future belongs to you. Study well, research well, and gain good experiences.

God Almighty has promised you that if you support His religion, His path, and His divine goals, He will support you. God's support means the support of all existing forces in this nature; all will come to your aid; supernatural forces will also come to your aid; you will be supported, you will advance; just as you have advanced today.

Know that today your country is very different from ten years ago and has advanced significantly; it is much more advanced than twenty years ago; and it is far more advanced than at the beginning of the revolution - thirty years ago. This is due to the determination of our nation, the determination of our people, the determination of our youth, their reliance on God Almighty, and their efforts in this sacred path; continue this effort.

The universities of the armed forces are among the most hopeful centers and social and scientific hubs we have. This university is also named after "Martyr Satari"; a dear martyr, hardworking, active, innovative, faithful, and a fighter. During the Sacred Defense, before being appointed as the commander of the forces, he worked tirelessly and without recognition, and he also provided many services during his command. Likewise, our other dear martyrs, from the ground forces, from the naval forces, from the air forces, and from various sectors in the armed forces, have rendered great services. These universities should be valued. Programs should always be up-to-date, always looking to the future, and organized with a clear and bright vision. Esteemed professors should make every effort. Dear students should bring all their determination to the field. Senior commanders of the forces should visit the universities, engage in close dialogue with these dear youth; it will be beneficial for both them and these youth. We draw vitality from looking at you young people; you can also benefit from the experience and lessons of your predecessors.

O Lord! Bestow Your mercy, grace, and favor upon these dear youth through Muhammad and the family of Muhammad. O Lord! Make our armed forces, the IRGC, the army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the police force, and the vast popular mobilization all recipients of Your support and backing.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.