Statements at the Joint Military Ceremony of Armed Forces Units in Fars Province

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

Today's meeting with you esteemed commanders and dear youth - whether from the Army, the Revolutionary Guard, the Basij, or the Law Enforcement Forces, including the Basij of the nomads who are all present - is very nostalgic for me. The memories of the military units of the Army and the Revolutionary Guard in Fars Province and Shiraz during the difficult times of the Sacred Defense are something that will never be forgotten.

In that early period of the imposed war in the first year - which was a time of hardship for the armed forces - the news of sending the 37th Armored Division and the 55th Airborne Division to Ahvaz brought joy to the hearts of the defense officials there. During my visit to Khorramshahr in those very hard and difficult days, I saw young men ready for sacrifice and martyrdom; I asked: Where did you come from? They said: From Shiraz. Gradually, the formation of the Fajr Division and the Al-Mahdi Division made that day one of the strong points of the battlefield from the collection of Fars Province and Shiraz. The support units, training units, infantry center, armored center, and the sections related to electronic industries and the support of the Ministry of Defense each left a memory, a name, and a mark from themselves in this adventurous period of the Sacred Defense and afterwards.

Today, for me, in this field and in meeting with you dear youth who are ready and prepared to announce that you will bravely follow the path of the pioneers of this way, is very nostalgic.

You young people should first pay attention to this point that according to Imam Sajjad (peace be upon him), the armed forces are the fortress of national security. This fortress, if it maintains its strength - both in terms of equipment and morale - will ensure that the nation feels secure and at peace. Without security, there will be no enjoyment in the lives of human societies, even advanced ones. Security is the source of psychological peace, and if the armed forces know their duty and role bravely, selflessly, and intelligently, and place themselves where their true position is, they can provide this security and this need. The existence of armed forces and the demand to strengthen the armed forces in any country does not in itself mean warmongering.

Today, we have proven with the power of the Iranian nation in global arenas that the Iranian nation and Islamic Iran pose no threat to neighboring countries and others. We were attacked, we defended powerfully, but the thought of aggression, the thought of attack, the thought of occupation has never crossed the minds of the Iranian nation and the officials of the country; however, the armed forces must be strong. The world is a world of aggression; it is a world condemned by the system of domination. The motivation for domination among the arrogant powers of the world, in the arrogant regimes, warns all nations to build their internal structures and create and strengthen the necessary preparations for this construction. Small excuses for superpowers pave the way for larger aggressions wherever they can and dare.

Today, Iraq and Afghanistan are before our eyes. With what excuse did they enter Iraq? With what excuse did they enter Afghanistan? They were delivering messages of security and freedom to the people of Iraq. Today, for five years, the Iraqi nation has been experiencing the most insecure period of its recent life. This is the nature of superpowers. Afghanistan is similarly affected. Wherever the arrogant powers think they can take an aggressive step with their material calculations, they will not hesitate. Of course, they have recognized Iran. The Iranian nation, the Islamic Republic, the armed forces, the entire people, and the sacred system have shown themselves to the aggressors and the powerful over these thirty years. They have shown that the Iranian nation, this great and ancient nation, this deeply faithful nation, this intelligent nation, is not a morsel that any superpower can easily swallow. Today, the world has understood this. Today, there is no army in the world that can predict what has happened to the people of Iraq over the past five years for the people of Iran. The Iranian nation is strong.

You official organizations of the armed forces of the country have a tremendous backing called the Iranian nation; millions of youth, millions of resolute wills, millions of warm and faithful hearts from various strata - nomads, urban, rural, from different regions of the country, various professions - are all partners in this direction and similar to each other. Their determination and will are strong. This is the strongest support for a nation. Be prepared; be strong.

We do not consider these threatening words and harsh tones of the loudspeakers of global arrogance as anything; we do not give them importance; this is psychological warfare. We know well that this audacity and this insolence do not exist in the enemies of the Iranian nation to enter a field from which their exit is not possible; we know this, but you must be strong, you must be prepared.

The armed forces - whether the Army, the Revolutionary Guard, the Basij, or the Law Enforcement Forces - must strengthen themselves day by day; innovation means this. Innovation is not only in the construction of weapons and equipment; although innovation in the construction and creation of new weaponry methods is one of the important innovations, innovation in training, innovation in organization and structure, innovation in support methods, innovation in military directives, all of these are necessary. Take bold steps, take firm steps, move towards clear goals with strength and power, and strengthen yourselves. Make this fortress and this stronghold more reassuring for the great Iranian nation.

The world of global politics is a world of pietylessness. Pietylessness has caused the arrogant powers of the world not to even be faithful to their friends. Did you see what they did to the accursed Saddam? As long as they needed him, they strengthened him. These Americans, during the imposed war against us, helped and supported Saddam Hussein in every way they could. From aerial intelligence and espionage assistance to military support, to boosting morale, to forcing their affiliates to provide financial support, in every way; because they needed him, they hoped he could inflict a blow on the powerful and proud face of the Iranian nation. When they became hopeless, his expiration date was over, and they removed him in the way you saw; they pursued their interests in another way; this is a lesson for those who have good expectations and hopes for these impious and unrestrained superpowers.

The Iranian nation has recognized the superpowers, and today it still recognizes them. The positions of the Iranian nation and the officials of the Islamic Republic against the criminal America are based on this deep understanding. Today, who does not know that the current presidency of America is one of the most insecure periods in recent human history? The Bush era, a dark and bleak era, a time of increasing insecurity in the world, a time of the rise of terrorism across the globe. This black and invalid stamp in history will remain in his name. Of course, he will leave in a few months, transferring the problems to his successor, but this file will always remain open in history; it will never be closed. These are lessons for our intelligent youth. Know yourselves, recognize the greatness of the thought that laid the foundations of this revolution and this sacred system. The slogan "Neither East nor West" is a slogan of rejection and negation of global arrogance and the arrogant, a slogan of the independence of the Iranian nation, a slogan of trust in these faithful youth in every corner of the country, are our living and eternal slogans; each has arisen from a heart full of wisdom that, through connection with the unseen world, through connection with God, through servitude to God, that great man, that wise elder, that brave sage taught them to us, the Iranian nation.

My dear ones! You young people are the owners of the armed forces; the armed forces belong to you. The country also belongs to the youth of this country. Whatever you can, armed forces youth! Equip yourselves more with knowledge, with action, with piety and righteousness and purity. Know that God is with you, and God willing, the prayers of His Holiness the Mahdi (may our souls be sacrificed for him) will support you.

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