Statements of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces in a Meeting with Personnel of the Islamic Republic Army on Army Day

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

Army Day is an annual occasion for the armed forces, indeed for the Iranian nation, and especially for the proud army of the Islamic Republic, a day of celebration and joy; however, this year, with the martyrdom of one of the best elements of the Islamic Republic Army of Iran - Martyr Ali Sayyad Shirazi - this joy has been mixed with the sorrow and regret of his loss. The world has such events, and sorrows and joys are always intertwined. A wise person is one who learns lessons from both sorrow and joy; finds the path to the future and moves towards it.

The army has traversed a good path. The point that General Shahbazi, the commander of the army, just mentioned is a correct one. The Islamic army was formed within the army of tyranny; however, not as a small and limited group. Yes; there were few fighters, but there were many believers. Those who were serious against the foundations of religion, faith, and values in that serious army were considered a minority. Some of that minority fled; some were arrested and punished; some disappeared and left. "As for the foam, it goes away as scum, but what benefits people remains on the earth"; what is beneficial, what is like the life-giving water, remains; but what is excess and like foam, disappears. Therefore, with the emergence of Islamic management throughout the country and the Islamic system and Islamic values, there was no problem in creating an Islamic army, and the Islamic army was formed by itself.

Of course, it is obvious that with every truth, there are enemies. Let me tell you, anyone who expects to travel on the paved road of life without any bumps and without any opposition or danger is a simple-minded person who will eventually stumble and fall. The road of life is a difficult one; it is a winding and tortuous road. With every step closer to the lofty human and divine goals, new problems and dangers arise; some larger than previous problems, some similar to previous ones or smaller than them. Therefore, the path of life is not a pain-free one; one should not expect ease.

What is necessary for a person is vigilance and care, not losing sight of the goal, not deviating from the path, and having a firm resolve to reach the goals. This vigilance I mentioned, this being careful, this not deviating, this self-monitoring to go and go correctly, is what is referred to in Islamic culture and the Quran as "taqwa" (piety). If you look at the Quran, you will see that all good deeds are contingent upon taqwa; both spiritual and moral good deeds, as well as material and social good deeds: "And if the people of the towns had believed and been God-conscious, We would have opened up to them blessings from the heavens and the earth." Taqwa makes life sweet, brings dignity, and causes the enemy to despair. This vigilance they speak of is this.

Today in our army, there are good people, sincere people, and those who work quietly for God; they face hardships, some deprivations, and problems; but in their living and working environment, they grapple with all these problems; with enthusiasm and spirit, whether in the center, in remote areas, or in some distant barracks in the deserts, they perform their duties well. We do not lack such individuals in the army; they exist in abundance, God willing. This martyr was such a person.

I have known this martyr since almost the first days of the victory of the revolution. He would come to us from Isfahan, report, and seek help; from that time, we became acquainted with him. He then went to Kurdistan and later was active during the imposed war; after the war, as is known. The fact that you see a nation, its great and small, its men and women, its young and old, today and yesterday, creating a massive gathering to show respect for the body of this martyr - which was among the rare funerals during the revolution - is due to this sincerity and purity. God Almighty directs hearts. We need this, and thanks be to God, we still have such individuals today.

Be vigilant against the enemy. The characteristic of the army is that it is vigilant against the enemy; because it always guards the borders. Thus, being vigilant against the enemy is a characteristic that is not unfamiliar to the army. Dear soldiers! Be vigilant against the enemy; not only the enemy that attacks from the borders but also the enemy that attacks the inner borders of our existence; it weakens our will, weakens our faith, weakens our firm resolve to work, and empties our actions of sincerity and purity. The real enemy is this. If we can grapple with this enemy and rub its nose in the dirt, then our hands will be full against that external enemy. The one who suffers defeat in the battlefield has already suffered defeat within himself. If we do not suffer defeat within ourselves, no enemy can defeat us externally.

If all the armies of the world can, under the shiny appearances of armies - which are necessary - cultivate a strong resolve, a firm faith in a goal, acceptable self-restraint, and trust in the future, these armies will become powerful and strong. If this faith that exists within is a firm faith in God - as it is with the believers, as it is with you - then nothing can defeat a person in any field; you must guard these borders. Of course, the enemy - as I said - is never unaware. In the best of situations, with global issues, with international relations, in the face of the sweetest diplomatic smiles, in the exchange of the warmest greetings and salutations that political leaders and heads of state give to each other, in each of them, one must be vigilant against the enemy; because the world of diplomacy and international relations and global issues is not a world of purity and honesty.

The enemy is the very element that seeks to deprive a nation and a country of its tools of power. What are the current tools of power and dignity of our nation? Faith, a firm divine resolve, working for God, feeling like a soldier of God's religion. These are what have honored our nation; these are what have created and continue to create strong individuals who can resist. The enemies want to take these characteristics away from the noble and exalted individuals of the country.

Of course, the enemy's actions are understandable. It is understandable that the enemy wants to deprive people of their faith, their piety, their spirit of religious honor, their firm resolve, and their hope. The enemy is after this; however, some who may not even be enemies, unknowingly, without understanding, and with negligence, do things whose result is the loss of people's faith, the despair of people, and the doubt and instability of spirit in people. In the face of these, protect yourselves, your families, your subordinates, and those connected to you. If a nation, an army, an armed organization can close the borders of this enmity within itself, nothing can overcome it. You must strive continuously and persistently in this path. Of course, I have been familiar with the depths and intricacies of the army since the beginning of the revolution; it is still the same. My testimony is that the army has improved day by day. Efficiency is also tied to this improvement, and you must focus on this point.

Of course, every building has its foundations. An army must have its training, discipline, research, armaments, construction, and organization - all the things it needs - in sufficient measure. Sometimes difficulties and shortages may arise; they are not permanent and eternal. We are a wealthy country; now, due to some circumstances, there may be times when the existing governments cannot; they may have problems, shortages. We must rely on that spirit of initiative, decision, and resolve to overcome shortages and hard times and bring ourselves to better times; this work, thanks be to God, has been done in important sections and chapters of our revolution; it will continue to be done after this.

We hope that, God willing, God Almighty will bless this Army Day for the Islamic Republic Army of Iran and the armed forces, and may the martyrdom of our recent dear martyr be a source of strengthening values and deepening faith, resolve, and the path of righteousness in each and every member of the armed forces, and may He grant you dear brothers success, support, and victory in the tasks you have undertaken.

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