Statements at Imam Khomeini Maritime Sciences University in Noshahr

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

I congratulate you, dear graduates and enthusiastic, motivated officers of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as those who are beginning their studies at military universities today. Your path is a glorious one; it is a path that every free human being, upon observing it and being aware of it, praises in their heart; it is the path of defending the lofty ideals of Islam, which is an absolute, necessary, and vital need for humanity. You have entered this path, particularly in its sensitive and perilous section. The armed forces are the spearhead of the Islamic and divine system and the divine and Islamic civilization in confronting the enemies, adversaries, and haters. Our dear youth traverse this field with motivation, love and interest, awareness, and insight, attaining worldly honor and divine rewards in the hereafter. My dear ones! It is a radiant and blessed path; appreciate this path; in whatever section of the armed forces and the army of the Islamic Republic of Iran you are engaged in activity and service, consider it a good deed for which God the Exalted will reward you and will cause your faces to shine in this world and the hereafter.

I also find it necessary to congratulate the esteemed officials of the army of the Islamic Republic and the officials of this university for the efforts they have made and endured in training you young people, and I wish them well. Today, the programs in this field were accompanied by beauty and innovation. God willing, may you succeed and be able to advance the country and the dear nation that supports you with every step you take. Today, the love for progress, the desire for movement, innovation, and creativity is surging in our country. In various sectors - in scientific, technical, innovative, political, and social matters - everyone is thinking of creating innovative paths, and for you - dear students and young officers in the army of the Islamic Republic and throughout the armed forces - this field is open. You are young and endowed with the blessing of youthful vitality, you are engaged in scientific efforts, and you have the honor of being present in the armed forces - which, as stated by Amir al-Mu'minin, are the fortresses of the subjects, the strongholds of the country and the nation - and you are engaged in fulfilling your duties.

As time passes, the importance and value of efforts in building the Islamic Republic and strengthening it become more apparent. The enemies of Islam and the Islamic Ummah, today, in their confrontation with this great, turbulent, and roaring movement, feel that they are lagging behind; thus, they resort to insane actions. The recent incident of insulting the radiant face of the Seal of the Prophets (peace be upon him) is one of the lessons of our history and will remain a lesson. The leaders of the arrogant systems, while they do not condemn this movement and do not fulfill their duty regarding this great crime, try to absolve themselves from this heavy penalty; they claim that we are not involved in this crime. We do not insist on proving the crime for certain individuals or officials, but the behavior and methods of the arrogant leaders, the politicians of America, and some European countries have caused the finger of accusation to be pointed at them by nations. They must absolve themselves. They must prove that they are not complicit in this great crime. Proving this cannot be done merely by words; they must practically demonstrate it, they must prevent these aggressions; of course, they will not. The reason for this is clear; there is motivation within the arrogant systems to insult Islam and the sanctities of Islam. What drives them to commit this insane act and such actions is the great movement of Islamic awakening. Then they make excuses that we cannot prevent these great sins - which are committed by individuals - in the name of respecting freedom! Who believes this in the world? Who believes that in countries where there are specific red lines to ensure that their arrogant principles are not disrupted - which they strictly adhere to and prevent any transgressions with force and violence - they are committed to freedom of expression regarding insults to the sanctities of Islam?

Today, in many Western countries, no one dares to question the ambiguous event of the Holocaust. As we have been informed, in America, if individuals wish to write and publish something against homosexuality based on psychological and sociological principles, they will be prevented from doing so! How are they committed to freedom of expression? Where the wicked policies of the Zionists are involved, which must corrupt the morals of nations and the youth, there is no meaning to freedom of expression, and no one dares or has the right to publish anything against this wicked and vile policy - or regarding an issue like the Holocaust - but for insulting Islamic sanctities and, in their delusion, to belittle these sanctities in the eyes of the youth of Islamic countries, why not! No one believes any of this. No one believes that the American regime, which has supported someone like Hosni Mubarak for thirty years, has supported someone like Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in Iran with all those crimes for thirty-five years, is a supporter of democracy; no one believes that their attack on Iraq and the attack on Saddam Hussein was for the sake of fighting dictatorship. They themselves nurture dictators. The dictators of our Islamic region have, throughout various times, been able to oppress their people and commit injustices and discrimination with their backing. How do they claim to seek democracy? No one believes them.

Today, in the world, public opinion of nations is against American and Zionist policies. Yes, governments do not speak out due to considerations, but the hearts of nations are full. When an opportunity arises, a case comes up - like this case - you see the people's movement directed towards the centers affiliated with America; towards political centers, towards American social centers in various countries. They are detested.

The confrontation of the arrogant powers of our time with Islam and the rising of this radiant sun is a confrontation that will undoubtedly end with the victory of Islam. The Islamic Republic has a great responsibility in this regard, and you dear youth who have gathered in this field and throughout the armed forces bear a sensitive part of this responsibility. We hope that God the Exalted grants you all success; and may the dear martyrs who have sacrificed their lives in this path over the past thirty-two or three years always have their faces radiant and their souls united with their saints; and may our dear Imam, who opened this path for all of us, be united with his saints.

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