Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Meeting with Air Force Personnel

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful Every year, the 19th of Bahman is one of the sweetest days of the Fajr decade for me; because it is a day full of meaning and has a profound and inspiring memory. The content and significance of the 19th of Bahman is not merely that a group pledged allegiance to our great Imam (may his soul be sanctified) on a difficult day - although this is an important issue in itself - it goes beyond that. On that day, this movement was indicative of the spread and penetration of awareness in all depths of our society regarding what they were doing and the path they had taken. Contrary to the biased analyses of those who try to portray the great movement of the revolution as one lacking understanding and awareness, the revolution's movement was a conscious movement by the people. One of the living documents of this is the incident of the 19th of Bahman.

Contrary to the biased analyses of those who try to portray the great movement of the revolution as one lacking understanding and awareness, the revolution's movement was a conscious movement by the people. A group of motivated and faithful personnel from the army, particularly the air force - which the tyrannical regime paid special attention to and considered it fully under its control more than other forces - entered the battlefield in the most sensitive points of it, wearing military uniforms and with identification cards that some held high that day; they understood what they were doing; they were aware of the danger, and they recognized the importance and greatness of this action. In practice, they demonstrated the conscious nature of the Iranian people's movement; that the free people of this nation from all walks of life are not willing to see the noose of the power of foreign arrogant powers and their indifference to the will and identity of the Iranian nation around their necks; even if the arrogance of the enemies is realized through their internal agents. Therefore, this memory is very important, lasting, and has a message. The pride of the Iranian nation lies in the fact that it did not lose and abandon this conscious movement in the face of the overwhelming storms of opposition; it preserved it.

This is the first great revolution in the history of revolutions in the world over the past centuries that has been able to maintain its direct line and orientation for such a long time... The first revolution that started with the people, continued with the people, did not change its words, did not change its path, and did not diminish or increase its goals is the Islamic Revolution of Iran. I tell you, this is the first great revolution in the history of revolutions in the world over the past centuries that has been able to maintain its direct line and orientation for such a long time; this has no precedent. At the end of the 18th century, only fifteen years had passed since the French Revolution when this revolution against despotism turned into a very severe despotism in France itself! The French nation had risen against despotism in a revolution known as the "Great French Revolution"; their issue was the struggle against monarchy and the royal regime; but just fifteen years later, a much more despotic, widespread, and powerful monarchy than the Bourbon dynasty - which they had overthrown - came to power, and a complete despotism was established. After that, for half a century or more, France was in a state of constant turmoil; this one took from that, that one clashed with this; opposing dynasties and kings came to power and caused this nation to suffer from fear, anxiety, and perpetual loss. This revolution is known in the world as the Great French Revolution.

The Soviet Revolution deviated much sooner than fifteen years. The revolution that had come to power with the help of the masses turned into a Stalinist dictatorship that lasted for many years and was then inherited by Stalin's successors. The people in that great country had even the least control over a significant part of their personal lives; let alone in social, political, governmental, and national matters. The fate of revolutions in the world is like this. The minor revolutions that have occurred in the world also had similar fates; anyone who is knowledgeable about history and looks will see many wonders.

The first revolution that started with the people, continued with the people, did not change its words, did not change its path, and did not diminish or increase its goals is the Islamic Revolution of Iran. This revolution began in the name of God and for the people and for justice, independence, and freedom, and it has continued on this path. The slogans are still the same, and with God's grace, these slogans will continue to be so.

One of the most important components of the identity of this revolution was the independence and identity of the Iranian nation; something that had been completely trampled during the fifty years of Pahlavi rule and about fifty years before that during the Qajar dynasty. A country of this size, a nation of this talent, wealth of this abundance, was entirely at the mercy of foreign policies; one day under the competition of Russia and England, another day independently under England, and ultimately under a stronger thief than these; namely, America. The Iranian nation - both its intellectuals who suffered from that situation with knowledge and awareness, and the general populace who were tortured and oppressed by the effects of that situation - had one of their greatest goals to recover this captive identity; to regain their independence and not to be subject to the policies of this country or that country. Today, the most significant enmities against this revolution stem from this.

Terrorism was initiated by them. Those who today are known as the most notorious terrorists in the world are directly and indirectly products of the American intelligence agency. This is not something that is hidden from the eyes of political experts in the world; everyone knows this. Look at the realm of political developments in the world and listen to the statements of the spokespeople of arrogant policies in the world; see what their main point of attention is. Of course, they chant slogans of human rights and slogans of fighting terrorism - regarding Iran, in addition to these, they also raise concerns about the construction of nuclear bombs and access to nuclear energy for war - but the truth of the matter is different from these. They are not opposed to despotism. They are today supporting countries whose governments have not even opened a window to the choice and freedom of the people; they are aligned with them and have no opposition to despotism. How many coup governments has the United States nourished, supported, and maintained; therefore, they do not give importance to this issue. Terrorism was initiated by them. Those who today are known as the most notorious terrorists in the world are directly and indirectly products of the American intelligence agency. This is not something that is hidden from the eyes of political experts in the world; everyone knows this. One day they thought that the presence of these individuals on our eastern border would weaken the Islamic Republic; thus, they spent money, provided training, and supplied weapons. Two or three years ago, the same Sharon the butcher, the same wolf in human clothing, on the day he came to power, explicitly said, "I will assassinate this number of Palestinians" - he even used the word "assassinate"! - the Americans supported him; they did not say that terrorism is bad; especially if it is state-sponsored. Therefore, they are not opposed to terrorism. They have assassinated their opponents, and they continue to do so. Their issue is something else.

Today, the Americans have opened their fists. A few days ago, American officials said that Iran does not accept American policies and is opposed to our policies; therefore, we cannot tolerate such a regime! So it became clear what the issue is. The issue is that today, from among a country whose policies have been completely submissive to American policies for many years, a nation has risen that has said "no" to all the greedy demands of America and other arrogant powers of the world and has, with strength, courage, steadfastness, and its clear slogans, made the Islamic world believe and accept this truth. Their expectation from Islamic Iran is obedience to American policies and submission to the demands of the arrogant powers of the world; that is, an international despotism.

In the Palestinian issue, the main culprit for the unresolved Middle Eastern issue is the Americans; no one else is to blame. They say Iran does not allow the Middle Eastern issue to be resolved! In reality, you do not allow it to be resolved. Ignoring a nation leads to this result. You want to erase the Palestinian nation, with its several thousand years of historical background, from the arena of regional and political equations; is that possible?

Those who talk about opposing and resisting despotism are themselves the most despotic people in the world. In the Palestinian issue, the main culprit for the unresolved Middle Eastern issue is the Americans; no one else is to blame. They say Iran does not allow the Middle Eastern issue to be resolved! In reality, you do not allow it to be resolved. Ignoring a nation leads to this result. You want to erase the Palestinian nation, with its several thousand years of historical background, from the arena of regional and political equations; is that possible? Therefore, you will fail and hit your head against the stone. You are supporting and strengthening the rabid dog that attacks children, the elderly, women, men, and both military and civilian Palestinians; it is clear that the Middle Eastern issue will not be resolved in this way. It is naive to think that one can trample a nation and expect them to show no movement in response to this pressure, despotism, and oppression; is that possible?

It has been several years since the Intifada began in Palestine. The young generation that has taken the Intifada into its hands is not a generation that money, worldly possessions, and status can divert. Can this struggle be silenced? Unless you recognize the Palestinian nation and act according to the solution we have announced for the Middle Eastern issue and the Palestinian issue; and that is that all Palestinians who belong to this land participate in a referendum to determine the fate of Palestine, and a government is formed based on this referendum that decides on the non-Palestinian immigrants who have come there.

Today, humanity has reached a point where it understands the meaning of international despotism and feels the weight of this black and damaging burden on its shoulders. The great Iranian nation and many nations of the Middle East and Muslim nations are among these. This American experiment is doomed to failure in advance. They want to homogenize the Middle East and make it their own; that is, in reality, they want to hand over the Middle East to the usurpers of Palestine; such a thing will not be possible. The more they advance, the more they will get stuck in the quagmire.

Today, the elections in Iraq - which they deceitfully try to portray as their victory - are, in the eyes of the vigilant of the world, a manifestation of the failure of American policies in the region. Today, the elections in Iraq - which they deceitfully try to portray as their victory - are, in the eyes of the vigilant of the world, a manifestation of the failure of American policies in the region. Those who won in these elections are among those who, if a referendum were held in any of the Muslim countries, would receive votes - that is, anti-American, supporters of national identity, and supporters of Islam.

The Iranian nation stands with complete courage. The 22nd of Bahman rally is a symbol of national power; it demonstrates the collective determination of the Iranian nation; it is a manifestation of that which intimidates every enemy, regardless of their military power and capabilities in propaganda and politics. Every year, with their movement on the 22nd of Bahman, the Iranian nation has stopped the enemy in its tracks and forced it to retreat; this year, too, with God's grace, it will be the same.

The Iranian nation stands with complete courage. The 22nd of Bahman rally is a symbol of national power; it demonstrates the collective determination of the Iranian nation; it is a manifestation of that which intimidates every enemy, regardless of their military power and capabilities in propaganda and politics. The Iranian nation will continue the path of the revolution - which is the path of freedom, the path of independence, and the path to achieving the lofty ideals of Islam. Until now, they have continued this path, and after this, with God's grace, they will continue. You in the air force and in the Islamic Republic army and in the families of the armed forces can be a manifestation of this steadfastness.

Thanks be to God, the air force has shown good tests so far. The air force had no opportunity to show itself before the victory of the revolution; the personnel of the force, the officers of the force, the non-commissioned officers of the force, various personnel of the force were lost in the crowd; only a few commanders were recognized for high-ranking officials. They were working together for each other.

Today, thanks to the Islamic Revolution, over these years, especially during the years of sacred defense, the air force has placed itself before the eyes of the Iranian nation with all its components. Today, the Iranian nation's judgment about the air force of the Islamic Republic is very praiseworthy. The immense activities you carried out during the war, whether in the flight sector, in the defense sector, in the support sector, in the administrative organization sector, or in the construction and production sector, the people do not forget. The air force did things that the people saw the effects of. Today, the people look at the air force with the same eyes.

Build yourselves more and advance. Like a living being whose all parts in different sectors and with different responsibilities have a unified spirit and movement, produce in all sectors; produce thought, produce products, produce innovation, produce faith; like a being in which the pulse beats in all parts of its body and life is palpable.

The future belongs to you. The Iranian nation has traversed difficult paths, passed through hard passes, and has traversed a very significant part of the path to reach the summit and will reach this summit; this is the certain destiny of a nation that strives and knows what it is doing; it knows where it is going, and it moves. You have a very important share in this regard.

I am happy that once again on this occasion I met with a group of the air force. Today's meeting was also a very good meeting. The song they performed was very good; it had both a noble and eloquent poem and was very well executed. God willing, may God grant you all success and support.

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