Statements at the Joint Ceremony of the Armed Forces of Kurdistan Province

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

I express my gratitude to the Almighty God for allowing me to meet with the brave and prepared armed forces in this field - as a sample - and in this valiant region, the land of jihad.

Kurdistan is an exceptional land in terms of sacrifice and martyrdom in our contemporary history. The enemies, following their insidious policies against the Islamic Republic of Iran, have particularly focused on this point; they have brought their forces here in every form and manner. The Islamic Republic, relying on the faith and the valor of its faithful men, has demonstrated a significant test in this arena with complete brilliance. In this province, the armed forces from the army, the Revolutionary Guard, the Basij, and the police have accomplished great and brilliant tasks. The proud people of Kurdistan, in the form of Muslim Kurdish Peshmerga and while mobilizing forces, have shown such faith and enthusiasm in the battlefields that undoubtedly it will be counted as one of the great legacies of the epic of the Iranian nation. Together with the armed forces, the people of this region have elevated their camaraderie and cooperation, and the armed forces - the youth gathered from all corners of this country - have shown that in the Islamic system, they are the defenders of the people and their security. This is the main point.

If armed forces in various societies throughout history were formed to defend the powerful and the authorities, in the Islamic system, the armed forces are in the service of the people's security and have the mission of providing peace to the public life. The philosophy of the armed forces is that people feel secure under the shadow of these forces. This duty has, thanks be to God, clearly manifested itself in the armed forces of the Islamic Republic since the victory of the Islamic Revolution. What the armed forces have shown in this region, in this province, in the west of the country, and in other similar areas is the true and real manifestation of the philosophy of the armed forces.

Today, it is the same. I firmly say to all of you dear brothers, the brave youth present in this field; whether the valiant Basijis who are natives of this region, whether the army forces, whether the Revolutionary Guard, or the police, I say this with certainty: the Islamic system wants the armed forces to be in the service of the people's security. Every effort you make for scientific advancement, for improvement in military training, for enhancing combat capability, for ensuring rapid and immediate presence, is a good deed, a God-pleasing action; you can intend it for the sake of closeness to God. And this is a great privilege for our devoted youth, our armed forces, our commanders.

My dear ones! The presence of the armed forces in the early years of the revolution was able to eliminate the enemy's plots that sought to create sedition, fratricide, and insecurity in this part of the country. Today, thanks be to God, this region is protected from the enemies' harm; the presence of the armed forces is a wise, aware, and powerful presence. But I emphasize this to you: we must not be oblivious to the enemy's cunning; neither in this region nor in any part of the country. The Islamic system, which has grappled with global arrogance and oppression, must always be prepared for the enemies' plots, blows, and aggressions; it must remain vigilant. This is a Quranic command: "And prepare against them whatever you are able of power and of tethered horses." This preparedness is a national public duty, but it particularly pertains to the armed forces. We know, we see, we have accurate information that the enemies of the Islamic Republic and the enemies of the Iranian nation are even near the borders of the Islamic Republic, inclined to plot and create grounds for insecurity. You must be vigilant.

Today, unfortunately, the roots of terrorism and inhumane violent operations in many parts of this region are in the hands of the security services of the arrogant powers. The occupiers of Iraq are the primary suspects in many terrorist operations that target innocent people's lives. Those who speak of combating terrorism manage and direct the most blind and darkest terrorist methods. The Islamic Republic, which is one of the main targets of this treacherous plot, must be vigilant and is vigilant. Our nation is aware; our armed forces, the officials of the Islamic Republic feel the weight of this great responsibility; they are prepared and must remain prepared.

The enemies of the Islamic Republic should have learned from experience that the Islamic Republic does not engage in aggression or initiate conflict. In these thirty years, no neighbor and no nation or government has been threatened by the Islamic Republic, but this great nation and this powerful system never hesitates in responding to the threats of others. This preparedness exists not only in the armed forces but also among the people - with the vibrant spirit they possess - thanks be to God. You dear ones must increase this preparedness day by day.

Know that a nation can defend its dignity, its honor, and its existence in the true sense of the word only when it is independent and self-reliant, relying on its own strength and will, and always maintains its preparedness with trust in the Almighty God. Day by day, the Iranian nation will, by divine grace, increase this preparedness, and certainly, the enemies of the Islamic Republic will not gain any advantage from their threats, their plots, their malice, and their ill-will.

O God! Place these faithful youth, these valiant brothers, these pure and devoted individuals under Your support and grace and make them recipients of Your favor and mercy.

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