Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution at the Joint Ceremony of Military Universities

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

I congratulate the dear youth who today received their epaulettes and took the first step towards entering the proud army of the Islamic Republic, as well as the professors, trainers, and managers of this university and the senior commanders of the Islamic Republic of Iran's army.

Being part of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic is an honor; this is not just a slogan, but a reality that anyone who understands the current state of humanity and the Islamic Republic of Iran and the greatness of this nation's ideals acknowledges. The army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Basij, and the police force are the soldiers of lofty human ideals in our country. Our armed forces prepare and equip themselves to defend; not only to defend the homeland - which is a great honor in itself - but to defend human ideals; to defend the dignity and honor of humanity.

Today, the terrifying and loathsome demon of domination threatens nations. This threat is not only directed at the Iranian nation and the Islamic Republic; it is directed at the entire world; it is directed at the very essence of humanity. You see today how the center of global arrogance - namely the United States - treats human values and human beings: the violation of human dignity and honor, taking human lives, and destroying the national identity of people has become a normal and routine affair for them, to the extent that they do not even feel the ugliness of it. What should nations do in the face of such a statue of malice and wickedness? Should nations surrender and hand over their destiny, identity, and future to aggressors who are not deterred by any moral, religious, or honorable barrier?

You see what the agents of global arrogance are doing in Palestine. You have seen what the armed mercenaries of America and Britain have done and are doing in Iraq and Afghanistan. Previously, in various parts of the world, wherever they could, they have imposed the heavy burden of their existence and their wickedness. What should nations do? Nations have no choice but to become strong, to have self-confidence, to rely on God, and to trust in their own inherent strength; nations must empower themselves. This empowerment is not only military; nations must continuously strengthen their will, economy, knowledge, and various advancements; but strengthening the defense of a nation's identity and borders is one of the most important tasks, which our armed forces have taken upon themselves today.

You are the symbol of the strength and power of the Iranian nation. This is a great honor. This power cannot be achieved solely through military training; military training, along with strengthening determination and faith, is essential. The heart must be strong in order to utilize a strong body and strong weapons.

Dear youth! Strengthen yourselves and cultivate resolute determination within yourselves; you bear heavy responsibilities. An army may not face a war even once over many years; however, its readiness and powerful presence alongside its nation is a source of national confidence; it is a source of peace of mind. Prepare yourselves to create trust in the hearts of your nation - which is both trust in themselves and in their army. Military training, military discipline, high Islamic ethics, and increasing faith in your hearts - which are pure and radiant - are your main duties. You are pure; your young hearts are radiant; appreciate this radiance; recognize your inherent talents and manifest these talents. Make the army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which has achieved great honors until today by the grace of God, even more glorious. Consider all armed forces as one large family. Each force should act with its brothers and relatives in other forces; and each organization - the army, the IRGC, the Basij, and the police - should treat their brothers in other organizations as parts of one body; trust each other, benefit from one another, utilize each other's experiences, and day by day make yourselves stronger and more prepared; and know that divine assistance belongs to those people who prepare themselves to receive this help. With faith, with tireless and unflagging work, with reliance and supplication to the Lord, prepare yourselves to receive divine mercy and assistance.

God willing, this first step for you young people will be the prelude to subsequent great and successful steps, and you will be the reserves of Islam within the army organization.

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