Statements at the Ceremony of Awarding the Medal of Fath to Military Commanders and Forces of the Army and IRGC

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

This ceremony has not only revived the memory of the historic victory of the Iranian nation and the great dawn of Islamic history, which is evident and prominent these days in the corners of society and in the minds and hearts of our nation, but also the memory of two great victories and two successful jihads — which in truth, each jihad is a collection of victories, struggles, and greatness — has been revived in our minds.

Although a considerable number of commanders and distinguished figures of Operations Karbala 5 and 7 were appreciated and thanked today, undoubtedly, it was not only you. Many of those who worked hard in these operations, who took their lives, efforts, and energies in their hands, ready to sacrifice for this revolution, nation, and country, were martyred, and many are still with us today, and we may never know some of those dear elements.

How many Basijis, soldiers, guards, and other forces were present on the front lines and made efforts and sacrifices in these two operations and during the other difficult and glorious days of the imposed war, and we do not even know their names; but their value is preserved and recorded with the noble scribes and saints and cherubim of the highest heavens.

The issue is that you, the brothers of the army, the IRGC, the Basij, and others who are in some way involved with the armed forces and defense, must pay attention to the fact that membership in the armed forces is an honor, and no honor for a nation is equivalent to such honors. If a nation like the Iranian nation has higher goals, the armed forces keep themselves ready to sacrifice for their nation and country, and there is no greater honor for them than this.

Anyone who is a member of the armed forces should feel proud, and all those who live within the framework of this nation and country should recognize and acknowledge this honor and value for the members of the armed forces. Of course, the honor is in sacrifice, and the possibility of sacrifice lies in physical and spiritual readiness, and the armed forces must keep themselves ready both spiritually and physically. If we are strong, we will be able to keep threats away from our country and nation. Those who have the satanic temptation of aggression, hostility, and warmongering, if they know that this nation is capable of defending itself and is ready for this defense, these temptations will be suppressed within them.

The day the enemy attacked us from our borders, they did not think our nation could defend itself. They considered the nation weak, which is why they attacked us. The world of global arrogance, which incited the Iraqi regime and Saddam Hussein to attack our borders, also considered our nation weak. If any aggressor feels that our nation and armed forces cannot defend themselves, then the danger will be serious and certain. The strength of this nation must be fully manifested in the armed forces. Of course, our nation is a very powerful nation with an inexhaustible power to defend itself — there is no doubt about this — this power and capability must find its full expression in the armed forces.

The army and the IRGC must be organized, spirited, knowledgeable in combat, equipped, and in all aspects that affect defense capability, to a level worthy of the capacity of this nation. The day the enemy attacked us in 1980, they understood one thing correctly. They saw the armed forces but did not see the nation. At that time, our armed forces were weak and incapable, and the enemy could not comprehend our national strength, which is natural because regimes and individuals who have no connection with nations and people cannot understand the power of this nation and the faith-driven power that comes from it.

Our nation demonstrated this power and strength through action. The massive mobilizations that our people undertook and the inexhaustible force that this nation generated until the last moment strengthened and solidified the armed forces and gave them true spirit and capability. Our armed forces are an organization composed of this very nation; therefore, the same force exists within them. The organization of our combat forces must reflect the power of the nation and demonstrate the power of the people. Today, we ask this of you. The officials of the army and the IRGC should know that this is their non-negotiable responsibility.

Today, the army and the IRGC must strengthen themselves as much as possible — infinitely. You can make yourselves infinitely strong. Do not say that we need logistical support and financial and monetary backing to become strong. No, it is natural that the officials of a country, first and foremost, dedicate all their resources to the military forces, and whatever is possible within the country's capacity, the armed forces will be supported, which was evident during the war. You saw that for several years, we provided almost all the country's resources to the armed forces as much as possible. It is still the same now and will continue to be so. No movement from you — who are the IRGC and the army — should be dependent on receiving the support you desire. The necessary and possible support will be provided; however, you must make your own efforts.

Today, the temptations regarding the army and the IRGC have ended. I do not say they have completely ended; but there is no longer any effective temptation because complete and decisive words have been spoken by the officials, and even the fine lines have been almost determined. We have assigned a committee and a board that sat down and discussed and exchanged views on the fine lines between the army and the IRGC, and we are almost and gradually approaching the final points.

From my perspective, the principles and generalities are almost clear; but regarding the details, I have told the gentlemen to sit down and discuss and examine the details and find solutions. In these areas, there is no ambiguity, and there should be no temptation. If anything is heard from those in the army and the IRGC — especially those in relatively high ranks of these two forces — it is certainly unacceptable and not permissible. If someone says I do not have job security, they should look for the problem within themselves. They should see what is within them that makes them feel insecure. If someone says I do not know the future of my organization, they should see what flaw is in their nature, and they should be identified; otherwise, the future is completely clear and bright.

The existence of these two military organizations is necessary for the preservation of this country and revolution, and they must all cooperate within the specified limits. I feel responsible for all these details and characteristics. I cannot accept that someone sits there and, without any sense of responsibility, opens their mouth and says something about either of these two organizations. This is a trust that has been entrusted to me, and I must preserve it.

In the Islamic Republic system, the command of the armed forces is not something that someone has obtained through force and domination for another to say this is usurped; rather, it is something that has been given to a position with merit by the people and is a trust in their hands. I am the trustee of the people concerning the armed forces, the army, and the IRGC. You, the army and the IRGC, are two organizations that are the people's trust in my hands. I will preserve this trust and defend it. In this regard, no negligence from anyone is acceptable; let alone statements or remarks that cause weakness in a group.

Each of you gentlemen who have a responsibility, the domain under your command is a trust with you; a trust from God, the nation, and the Islamic Republic system. The major commanders and those whose positions are higher have a heavier trust and greater responsibility. Each of you — even if you are the commander of a company or a small section — a trust has been entrusted to you, and you do not have the right to just throw this trust away and leave it to fate and turn to other work and thoughts. No, if some commanders do not appear at the point where their mission is, or do not appear regularly, they have committed treason.

If you cannot be present at the place entrusted to you, specify and say so that your inability can be remedied. You must be constantly and carefully present in the place where you are and in the domain that is in your hands. If it is otherwise, the trust has been betrayed. Do not think that treason is something strange and extraordinary. Treason in trust does not have horns and tails. Any kind of negligence in guarding what is in your possession is treason, and treason in trust is not acceptable or permissible from anyone. Whether you are the commander of a headquarters or a major unit or the head of an important department or the head of a small section, it makes no difference. Whatever you are, the domain under your command that is in your possession is a trust in your hands, and you must preserve it with utmost power, precision, and diligence, without any slackness or negligence. If you do not do this, harm has been done to this country and nation.

During these past eight years, we should have learned many experiences. We should provide what we did not have and learn how to maintain what we had and did not keep well. We must learn to use well what we had and did not use well. We must prevent the losses that occurred because we did not understand the necessity of having certain things at the time of need.

The page of war and the page of eight years of experience have been opened before us. Look at this page and review it: "Then return your vision twice again": look again, see what is happening. What was happening on the battlefield? How could it have been, and why did it not happen that way? Let us return to ourselves and learn lessons. We must learn from what has passed and is behind us, and we can learn lessons.

Glorious and dear days and unforgettable nights passed during these eight years. Nights when — as some heads of state put it — our friends and enemies around the world did not sleep until morning. What nights passed for you warriors. Those who were martyred, those who were present in the regions, those who made sacrifices, know and should know that you spent hours and nights during which your enemies around the world did not sleep out of fear and anxiety, and your friends did not sleep out of joy and excitement. Strange things happened, and during these eight years, strange things were done along this line and border.

The enemy, in any case, is the enemy, and I cannot say from the unseen whether that enemy is awake or asleep, or whether they intend to wage war or not, or whether they will fight or not; but I say that the enemy is the enemy, and as long as they have not shown fairness and there is no visible regret for aggression and assault in them, they must be wary of them. The enemy is such; unless they show that they are not an enemy.

The Iraqi regime, by attacking our borders in one of the most difficult historical conditions of our lives, showed that it is an enemy of the Iranian nation, the Islamic Republic system, and the health and peace of the region. This was shown and proven, and there is no doubt about it. Today and throughout those eight years, which wise and informed person in the world has believed that Saddam Hussein's and his army's attack on the borders of the Islamic Republic was a reaction to something or a movement?! They have said and say such things; but which wise and informed person could possibly believe such a thing?! In any case, whether out of malice and wickedness and susceptibility to the enemies of Islam and being provoked by some cunning reactionaries in the region, they received a blow, and this blow is an unforgettable blow for themselves and others.

The Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) said: "Indeed, the brother of war is vigilant": be vigilant. This vigilance will be shown in your actions. This is what the Iranian nation wants from you, and I, as your commander, want from you. You must show this vigilance in your actions. There is no excuse for not being prepared. For pursuing this readiness, I have given the necessary orders to the General Command Headquarters and the Joint Staff of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army. The General Staff of the IRGC is also aware of what we have ordered the General Command Headquarters. All the armed forces and all active elements in these forces must each play their part in maintaining readiness and increasing power.

We hope that the Almighty God will help you, and God willing, grant us the success to always keep the memory of the dear warriors and their great courage alive. This is a definite duty upon us, and the awarding and presentation of this medal to you is also in this sense. This action is a tribute to the courage and sacrifice that was issued from you at that time, and this is a small thing compared to them. What is more important and greater is the divine gratitude and the endless spiritual reward.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings