Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution at the Joint Ceremony of the Armed Forces at Shahid Nojeh Airbase in Hamadan

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

I am very pleased to be present at this base and among the dear warriors residing in Hamadan province, and I send my heartfelt greetings to the souls of the esteemed martyrs of this base and the Air Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as to the other martyrs of the Army, the Revolutionary Guard, the Basij, and the Law Enforcement Force.

This base has provided invaluable services to the country and the Iranian nation during the Sacred Defense. In addition to Shahid Nojeh and Shahid Douran, other valuable martyrs from this base and from the armed forces in this very sensitive region have inscribed their names in the endless honors of the Islamic Revolution and the Islamic Republic. We take pride in these dear ones; we honor their names. For us, personalities like Shahid Babaei, Shahid Ardestani, Shahid Khodrani - who was also the commander of this base for a time - and other valuable and esteemed martyrs in the armed forces are certainly unforgettable; however, the armed forces will not stop themselves in those past times, nor should they; the predecessors who, with their faith, awareness, courage, and self-sacrifice, helped us tread this very glorious path, the path of the greatness of Islam and Iran, have left us unforgettable lessons as a legacy. Our duty is to benefit from these lessons. We must, considering our situation, the needs of the country, and the threats that exist against us and the interests of the country at any given time, recognize our duty and prepare ourselves, both spiritually and physically, to continue that glorious path that our dear martyrs opened for us at the cost of their lives.

There is no doubt that the best state of human life in the universe is living in peace, coexistence, and tranquility. How wonderful is that world where the arrogant and greedy powers do not exploit people, nations, and groups for their own interests; where they do not taint the world with blood, hatred, and anger; however, unfortunately, with the distancing of human societies from spirituality, faith, and growth, and the rebellion of egos and selfishness, humanity and the human world have been exposed to unrest, wars, and seditions at various times throughout history; today, unfortunately, it is the same.

You can see how many people have been sacrificed in various wars due to the greed of the arrogant powers in the past hundred years; in world wars, in regional wars, and in wars that were initiated solely because the owners of arms manufacturing factories needed wars to sell their goods! The arrogant powers and the predatory economic systems behind them do not allow the world to enjoy peace and stability, and the lives of people to be free from turmoil; under various names, with false and deceitful banners, they strike at human lives; they harm the peace and health of the human world. Today, it is the same; today you can see the most vile powers in the world, whose inhumane behavior and greedy tendencies are evident in all their actions on the global stage, how they appear under the banner of human rights and democracy and create uproar; they threaten regions and include our region, the Middle East, and the West Asian region in their threats.

What duty do nations have? Nations have the duty to prepare themselves for the protection and safeguarding of themselves and to defend their identity, dignity, and existence. The nation that neglects this path has been destroyed; the nation that cannot timely understand its need for defense, for standing firm, and for resistance has been trampled upon. Our nation has shown that it has not and will not fall into such negligence; our armed forces have demonstrated that they will not falter or hesitate for a moment in defending the interests of their nation and country.

My dear ones! The armed forces, under various names, are all one family; the Army, the Revolutionary Guard, the Basij, and the Law Enforcement Force are all complementary parts of a defending entity for the dignity and honor of this country.

In Hamadan, the third hunting base (Shahid Nojeh Base), the armored brigade of Qazvin Division, the Ansar al-Hussein Brigade of the Revolutionary Guards, the various units of the Basij Resistance Force, and the Law Enforcement Force are all parts of a unified entity; this is the case throughout the country as well. Strengthen this feeling within yourselves continuously that you are complementary to one another. The most important duty of this entity is to be vigilant and aware at all times. Keep yourselves ready; keep yourselves prepared both spiritually and physically. There may be no threats to the country for years; however, even for a slight possibility, the armed forces are obliged to always keep themselves ready for action.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is a herald of justice and freedom in the global arena; it is a herald of humanity and spirituality; it is a herald of brotherhood and equality; it is a herald of the dignity and honor of nations. The Islamic Republic is completely opposed to arrogance, to the arrogant, to the bullying powers, and to the interventionist powers; the dignity of the Islamic Republic among nations and its awe in the hearts of powers, as well as the enmity of the aggressive powers towards it, is due to this point; it is because it does not submit to the bullying of the bullies and aggressors; it relies on itself; it trusts in God; it does not submit at all to the bullying of greedy individuals and aggressive powers and rulers enslaved by their desires; this is what has made the Islamic Republic dear in the eyes of nations and has placed its awe in the hearts of these very powers, and of course, has also created their unending enmity.

I pray for the success of all of you dear ones and I advise all of you to work, strive, be prepared, and to unity of word.

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