Statements at the Ceremony of Awarding the Medal of Victory to Commanders of the IRGC and Army in the Victorious Operation Beit al-Moqaddas

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

At the outset, I sincerely congratulate the dear brothers who have received the first medal of honor and the medal of selfless presence in the war in the Islamic Republic. I also congratulate the armed forces for finally establishing this desirable tradition of specific and defined appreciation for those who have shown selflessness, and with these medals, have made it everlasting.

This medal, firstly, is a sign of the Islamic Republic's gratitude and appreciation for you dear ones who have demonstrated a great and valuable service in the imposed war. Secondly, it is a lasting memento so that in the future everyone knows what selflessness the holders of these medals showed and what human greatness they displayed during a very dangerous and difficult chapter of the life and history of the Islamic Republic. This medal is a symbolic act, otherwise, the value of your work is greater than this, and we hope that the entire nation, country, and officials will appreciate you and your efforts, God willing, and always acknowledge you.

Another point is that although we have given medals to several dozen brothers and officially and formally appreciated them, those who deserve these medals are not just today's gathering. As the brothers mentioned, there have been other major operations on the front, and great bravery has been shown in those operations, and there are unknown, unpretentious, humble, and secluded faces—whether from the army, the IRGC, or the Basij forces—who deserve and are worthy of these medals and should be respected and appreciated. God willing, this work should be done in the future, and one of the programs that the General Staff will pursue—whether directly or through other agencies—should be to identify and recognize those who have shown selflessness over these years, whether they are currently serving or not, and to honor and appreciate them; because good deeds never perish.

The night you stayed awake until morning, the continuous hours you sat in your headquarters and devised these plans, the courageous presence you showed on the battlefield, the spiritual strength you demonstrated that allowed your forces to advance and suppress the enemy's forces, even the bullet you fired or ordered to be fired, all and each of these were not incidents that happened one day and then ended. No, the essence of that incident exists now and is preserved in two other places, and if you want to say three other places, the third place should not be given much importance compared to those two, because sometimes it exists and sometimes it does not.

But the two main places that exist, first, are in the divine scale and record of accounts, where "not a small or large deed escapes but it is recorded": no small or large deed has been done by you except that it is written in that divine record and exists and will not end, and on the Day of Judgment, it will be manifested as something sweet, desirable, pleasant, and comforting. Therefore, the work you did at a certain hour and moment remains there.

The second place where your work remains is in your current situation. Do you not say that the Islamic Republic is a stable and powerful system and a collection and product in which your work of that day exists inherently and through it, and if that work did not exist, today this collection would not exist; so your effort is established in our current situation and if this situation remains until the Day of Judgment, that effort will also remain. Like the seed you plant in the ground that becomes an apple tree. The fruits that come from this apple tree, that seed exists in all of them in some way. If that seed did not exist, none of these fruits would exist either.

If you see a stable system and timely and orderly movement and observe that the future is bright and hopeful, if you see that we have gained global prestige, if you see that we have a country moving towards development, prosperity, independence, and increasing sovereignty, it is the condensed and accumulated result of those thousands of actions you performed over time, and the product or collection of it has become this. If any of them did not exist, these results would not exist either. If your effort that night, when you worked until morning to establish the forces in the trenches, or to cross the water, or to outflank the enemy, or to establish in ambush positions, or to create readiness and plans, if those efforts did not exist, today this result would not exist. Therefore, your effort is established in our current situation and will exist until the Day of Judgment.

The third place is the memory of nations and the memory of history, which sometimes exists and sometimes does not, and as we said, it is not as important as those two; but it is not without importance either. Our history and future, and the reports of reporters and the memory of reminders, will always preserve your works and efforts. Therefore, those works exist.

There have been and are many individuals from the IRGC and the army, some of whom were martyred and some, thanks be to God, are alive and standing and have made many efforts, and God willing, they should be identified and their names specified, and God willing, with the awarding of medals, they should be specifically and tangibly appreciated and manifested. Of course, the lists are preserved and the reports are specified, it is not very difficult; but this was the start of the work and God willing, in the continuation of the work, the rights of all those who are entitled in this field should be preserved and observed.

What was discussed was related to the past; but what pertains to the future is that the brothers of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic must become strong and increase their defensive power. This is a two-word statement; but behind this statement, there are thousands of efforts. If we do not strive, those two will not be realized, and if they are not realized, our nation, country, revolution, and the Islamic Republic system will be threatened. As I have understood, I must act according to my understanding, and this is my religious duty, and in the armed forces, everyone is obliged to act according to this course.

We must maintain and strengthen the army and the IRGC as two organizations and two armed arms and two organizations that Imam insisted until his last days that these two organizations remain and become strong, and each should manage their own organization in the best possible way, and the General Staff will plan and policy according to the specific and defined duties that exist and were formed based on them.

The overall planning and general policy-making of the armed forces are positive, and they have brilliance as well as deficiencies and weaknesses. Both deficiencies must be addressed and weaknesses turned into strengths, and the brilliance of each of these two organizations should become a lesson and training and model for the other. Each has advantages that are desirable and worth learning and following, and whoever does not have them should learn and follow. Each also has weaknesses and shortcomings that must be addressed.

The notion that we want to weaken the IRGC in favor of the army or weaken the army in favor of the IRGC will not and does not exist decisively. Of course, in the past, as far as I am aware of the policies and measures of Imam (may his soul be sanctified) and the work that was done based on his measures by the officials and his honorable successor, such a thing did not exist. Of course, rumors and suspicions and the spirit of whispering and constant worry and anxiety about what will happen and what intention this work was done with and such things have always existed; but now they do not, and now we are discussing today.

Certainly, the army and the IRGC are two organizations that are not parallel. In principle, the mission of the army is different from the mission of the IRGC, and they are two kinds of missions. Both are armed and military forces, and anyone who says the IRGC is a law enforcement force, contrary to what our view has been and what we are pursuing, has spoken nonsense. Likewise, anyone who says that the IRGC is a special force in the sense of belittling and diminishing has spoken nonsense. No, the IRGC is also a combat and military organization and has a specific mission. We will officially communicate these missions to each organization.

Both organizations must sit down and determine the precise boundaries and limits of these missions according to the given plan, and each organization must align itself accordingly. Therefore, the army and the IRGC will remain as two organizations; but they must, as much as possible, become similar in the aspects that are necessary. Of course, since the missions are separate, they have specific requirements that each mission will follow its own requirements, and naturally, each mission may have specific requirements in the method of organization or other things; but in some cases, this is not the case.

It is not necessary for them to become similar in their missions; but in those things that two combat organizations must become similar, they should become closer and more similar to each other day by day, and more aware of each other's situation, and more affectionate towards each other, and more interested in each other's fate. The truth is also this. That is, if the army pays attention, it will see that the presence of the IRGC alongside it will help it. The IRGC, too, if it pays attention correctly, will see that the presence of the Islamic Republic's army alongside it will come to its aid. These two organizations are two arms, and two arms are better than one.

This expression of two arms is exactly the expression that Imam (may his soul be sanctified) said to me. It was about this very issue of the IRGC and the army that he raised his two blessed arms and said: "Both are two arms of the Islamic Republic and must be." The truth is also this. I, too, without any doubt in this view, have always believed that these two organizations exist and both are necessary and complement each other. The policy is that both organizations look at their issues and their organization's issues and the issues of the other organization with this view; not that they evaluate with a speculative view.

The army should not think that because the IRGC brothers are good brothers and the war is over, from now on only its organization is relevant. I am not saying that you army brothers think this way. I have witnessed your cooperation and interest, and I have been in the war front and outside the war; but one should not be unaware that in some corners, some people promote this thought and the enemy also helps them. On the other hand, the IRGC should not think that because it has carried out so many successful and victorious operations, it lacks nothing and there is no need for the army to be alongside it. No, the army is an asset and a reserve for this nation. No one destroys their own reserve.

Both of these—as Imam (may his soul be sanctified) said, and I cannot find a better expression than this—are two arms, and no sane person will cut or weaken one of their two arms. These two arms will not move or coordinate except for the benefit of the person. If you want this hand not to coordinate with that hand, you cannot. Naturally, these two hands move and coordinate with each other; unless, God forbid, one is paralyzed or you have practiced and forcibly want to impose such a thing on one of your hands.

For this country, there is a threat. I am not saying there will be a war—it may or may not exist—but the threat is certain. When does this threat become operational? When you are weak and divided, and God forbid, you are not present on the scene and do not have efficiency, training, equipment, human resources, and discipline; otherwise, the enemy will remain at the stage of planning, and we hope it will remain and never gain the ability to inflict harm on the Islamic Republic. Of course, let me say clearly that as long as you are there and work well together and are ready to serve and gird the loins of effort and are skilled and vigilant on the scene, no harm will be inflicted, and the enemy will not gain this power.

I will attend to the armed forces. The existence of the Joint Staff of the Army and the Central Staff of the IRGC and the General Staff of the Armed Forces does not mean my absence and lack of attention. Where necessary, I will attend to all matters, and this right is reserved for me to enter the lowest ranks and question and inquire and intervene. Of course, the hierarchical order as prescribed is preserved; but the hierarchical order does not prevent the commander's right to attend to matters within the scope of command—in any way deemed appropriate—and I will use this right for God and to equip the armed forces and to strengthen our armed forces in this era in a proper manner.

These arms must become powerful, and these fists must be clenched. We do not threaten anyone, we have not threatened from the beginning, and the world knows this. They should not say that the Islamic Republic of Iran has threatened us and is preparing itself. Yes, God willing, we will prepare ourselves more and more every day, and we must do so, and it is the duty of the people to support. We do not threaten; rather, we will stand against the threats of enemies who have proven to adhere to no principle of humanity.

God willing, I will have other meetings with you IRGC and army brothers on work occasions and will make the necessary recommendations; but today, when a good gathering has been created here, I would like to recommend some points to you:

Firstly, as I said before, these two organizations should work sincerely with each other. If there is no sincerity, the other side will quickly understand. We should not say yes, it is so; but in reality, there is no sincerity. We must know that God Almighty has arranged it so that insincerity is quickly understood. People without reality and sincerity think they are clever, not knowing that there are many people who sit together and accuse others of insincerity and lack of sincerity and say so-and-so is an insincere person and has no sincerity; while he thinks no one has understood his lack of sincerity. He insisted on appearing sincere; but eventually, the truth was revealed, and in the gathering of individuals, this meaning will become even clearer. If a group does not have sincerity towards its neighboring group, it will quickly become apparent, and contradictions and conflicts and frictions will appear in practice.

The two organizations must have sincerity and brotherhood towards each other and help each other and place the goal above organizational goals. Now, if one of the divisions—whether an army division or an IRGC division—is told to give ten or twenty tanks or some equipment and kitchen and... to the other division so that it belongs to them, you will see that they use all means to not give those items; while it is supposed that division will also fight. Sometimes that division does not have equipment and needs it, and the other has excess; but will not give. Of course, this is also the case in non-military organizations and is not something specific to you. Therefore, you see that in some cases, unfortunately, organizational goals and even smaller than organizational goals are placed above the main goals. This spirit must be fought against. Who should fight? Naturally, we must first do this ourselves and truly deal generously with the other so that more brotherhood is established between the army and the IRGC.

Another point is to take border defense missions very seriously. I have told you before and now I repeat: both the IRGC and the army should strengthen these border lines. Truly, no excuse for justifying the lack of strength and lack of assurance and disconnection of our border lines is acceptable. Both the IRGC and the army, in the area they are tasked with protecting, must be present with utmost precision and care and prevent any laxity and negligence and carelessness and laxity from the lower-level individuals and officers.

The next point is that the basis of the system and military forces is order and discipline. If you have order, both your human resources and weapons and facilities will be useful to you; but if you do not have order, even if you have human resources and weapons and equipment and facilities and money, they will not be useful to you. What distinguishes a large mass of people from a military division and unit is primarily its order. Therefore, the hallmark of a military unit is order. As much as possible, increase your order and discipline in the correct manner. Some may think that only the IRGC is addressed. No, both the IRGC and the army are addressed. Unfortunately, sometimes in some parts and units of the army, signs of disorder are observed that should not be repeated.

Today, one of our programs is to introduce the gentlemen who have recently been appointed, and since we have decided that our ceremonies should be filled with spirituality and truth and sincerity, if some formalities are not present in it, it does not harm it. Of course, I am not against military formalities; but I am one hundred percent against absolute formalities and the existence of formalities in my personal life and others. However, in official formalities that sometimes have a slogan and a meaning and concept in them, it is important. I am interested in such formalities; but if at some point, due to another reason, these formalities are not carried out, it is not a problem for me, and naturally, today due to our spatial situation, those elaborate formalities could not be carried out. Our situation is scholarly, and for now, we are doing this work in this situation. The identity and spirituality and meaning of the work are important; even if in appearance, it is not as we want, and for this reason, we do not have such formalities.

I told the General Command Headquarters, Dr. Firouzabadi—who is a veteran Basij brother and trusted by us—that the policy-making and overall guidance and harmonization and coordination of the two organizations is the responsibility of this headquarters, and the IRGC Headquarters and the Joint Army Headquarters will act for their work through the General Command Headquarters. Of course, wherever and whenever necessary, I will have meetings and consultations with the commanders of the army and the IRGC; but the current course of work will be such that the work is done through the General Command Headquarters. The General Staff will not interfere in the staff work of those two headquarters and organizations.

For the Joint Staff of the Islamic Republic Army, I appointed Brigadier General Shahbazi, who is also one of the very good and well-known brothers on the battlefield. I myself witnessed that he did a great service to the army and the armed forces in the early days of the revolution, and he and some others were always among our good collaborators, and today he is a well-known brother.

The three branches of the army must consider the Joint Staff as their mother and know that if the Joint Staff is weakened, the forces will be weakened. The forces should not think that if they bypass the Joint Staff, it is to their advantage; rather, it will be to their detriment. I told you this point as a method and guideline, and of course, you will experience this in practice and will see that if the three branches of the army do not take the Joint Staff seriously, their work will not progress and rather will fall behind. The Joint Staff has the status of a mother and center for the army and is in fact the General Command Headquarters of the army. Therefore, the issues of the commander's measures will be communicated to the forces and sections and departments and organizations through the Joint Staff.

For the IRGC Headquarters, our very good brother Mr. Zolghadr was chosen at the suggestion of the IRGC General Command, and I also had a good understanding of him, and I hope that God willing, the IRGC General Staff can take fundamental steps in organizing the IRGC. This headquarters must be supported by the General Command and likewise, the organizations and forces and various sections of the IRGC should pay attention to carrying out their work through the IRGC General Staff. Of course, the question exists as to how the Supreme Council of the IRGC—which is the legal council of this organization—will relate and position itself with the command and the General Staff? This issue is among the points that I will, God willing, provide a clear answer to the IRGC in the future so that the brothers' work is done well. In any case, we have high hopes for the IRGC General Staff that, God willing, it can, with planning and order and logical assessment and analysis of issues, lead the work more towards organization.

Our dear brother, Mr. Rahim Safavi, has also been introduced as the deputy commander-in-chief. In fact, this brother is both a martyr and a veteran, and only, thanks be to God, he is not missing or captive; alive and fully standing! He was in Kurdistan from the beginning of the war, where I myself witnessed the sincere sacrifices of this very good brother at stages. A prominent and sincere and good face that the IRGC General Command—Mr. Rezaei—introduced and suggested, and I also appointed, which is appropriate.

For the command of the IRGC Ground Forces, we considered our dear brother Mr. Mostafa Izadi, who is one of the very good brothers. I myself also knew him from before, from afar and near. From the time he was in Kurdistan and then entered the IRGC and command and made sincere efforts in the Kurdistan region and later for a while in the southern region, he is truly and fairly among the very valuable and beloved brothers who deserve to be in high responsibilities.

Our dear brother Mr. Mohtaj was also introduced as the deputy commander of the Ground Forces, and I also confirmed and appointed him. Although I did not have much cooperation with him; but I have good known records of Mr. Mohtaj. This group is dear brothers who were supposed to be introduced here today, and their duties and job descriptions are specified. I recommend to all dear brothers to help so that, God willing, these brothers can fulfill their important missions and duties.

It is necessary to generally honor the brothers who made many efforts during the war and had important and high responsibilities and whose names have not yet been raised to be honored. I hope that, God willing, all of them will be included in God's mercy and grace. We also honor the memory of our dear martyrs: commanders and warriors and Basijis and service forces—whether medical forces, construction jihad, or others—and we hope that God, God willing, will give patience and reward to their families and bestow His blessings upon them and gather their martyrs with the righteous martyrs of early Islam.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings