Statements at the Ceremony of Awarding Epaulettes to Graduates of Military Command and Science Courses

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

First, I extend my congratulations to all of you dear ones, whether graduates of the Command and Staff College or graduates of this course of the Military Science College, and to you dear ones who received epaulettes today, as well as to the teachers, professors, and managers of these scientific and military centers and the officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army.

In truth, this place is the origin of the army and the starting point for the great and efficient body that is responsible for defending this country, nation, and revolution, and for safeguarding the borders. This foundation must be strong. In the ceremonies of this college, we have repeatedly stated that here, all the elements we expect in a true and worthy soldier of Islam and the Islamic system must be carefully considered. The Islamic Republic of Iran Army is a dignified, honorable, and modest army. Perhaps among the armies we know in the world, there are very few with these characteristics, and perhaps none.

The enemies imposed eight years of official war and, before that, nearly two years of real and practical war on our nation. From the first day, the army was in the field, and I witnessed closely the efforts, struggles, dedication, and efficiency of many elements of this efficient body. The army must be organized and built in accordance with the goals of a nation. Our goals are lofty and worthy. We have always looked at nations, countries, and governments with a view of companionship, friendship, and mutual affection, and in a suitable manner.

In a world where global arrogance and the world's bullies prioritize their economic, political, and strategic interests over the national aspirations of nations; in a world where a regime maintains fleets, bases, and military elements thousands of kilometers away from its borders to protect its interests; in a world where superpowers, to maintain the security they claim, are willing to disrupt the national security of all countries and borders, and unfortunately, many nations, governments, and countries have tolerated this situation and accepted this abnormal, inhumane, and irrational condition; in a world where the relationship of domination prevails, and nations and governments are divided into dominators and dominated — except for very few exceptions — in such a world and with this wrong equation, our Islamic system and brave nation and revolution have risen and say: I reject domination and dominators, and I will not submit to domination, and I will awaken nations with my sincere cry as much as I can.

What do you think those highwaymen powers of the world will feel towards such a nation? Naturally, these feelings will not be friendly but hostile and aggressive. The Iranian nation rose with these goals and clear, humane, and rational policies and created this system. That is, with these ideas, under the leadership of that great and noble leader and that truly great human being, it rose and uprooted a dependent, corrupt regime like a rotten tooth and discarded it, and in its place, established this Islamic system based on national independence and freedom and the preference of national aspirations over the aspirations of foreigners and the greed of aggressors. Naturally, the dominating powers and plundering thieves of the world will be hostile to this nation and system.

When we announce the rejection of the system of domination and dominators and the dominated in the world, nations become excited. I have repeatedly attended international gatherings. When I presented this idea, I saw that even the heads of governments became excited; however, their hands and minds are tied, and some have short aspirations; but they like to see a nation that bravely defends such an idea in the middle of the field and stands firm and fears no one. That nation with this ideal is our nation, whose defense force must be organized and strengthened in accordance with this lofty and worthy ideal.

You young people who received epaulettes and ranks today and graduated, you are laying the firm and solid foundation of such an armed force. Fortunately, the Islamic Republic of Iran Army has very good experiences that should be used in classes and textbooks. This Command and Staff College is a center that, if well managed and researched, it is appropriate that all major national plans, in terms of their relation to the country's defense situation, be considered there. If we want to build roads, bridges, dams, ports, and international airports, it must be examined what situation this work is in from a defense perspective. It is appropriate that experts and military elites in the scientific apparatus of the Command and Staff College examine such projects. It must be at this level scientifically.

In the Islamic Republic of Iran Army, alongside knowledge, we give importance to religion and piety. I especially tell you young people: A nation that has moved based on Islam, religion, and the Quran, its army must be religious. You are young, pure, and sincere. Try as much as you can to strengthen the spirit and purity of religion and piety in your work and actions and take it with you into the units or departments and offices to which you will be assigned.

Thanks be to God, today our army is generally a religious army and has changed a lot from the past; but it must still move more towards the spirit of religiosity and purity and sincerity. The role of a strong army for a country is vital. Countries have always been governed by politicians; but in the most difficult conditions, commanders have saved them. If dozens of good politicians are working in a country, building and advancing and giving prestige, but they do not have great and brave commanders, in sensitive conditions, the country will be destroyed.

It cannot be said that with good politics, we will do something so that no one attacks us; no, this belongs to the world of peace where if you are good, no one will attack you. In the world of domination, even if you are very good, there are devils who will threaten you. Therefore, alongside good politicians, there must be good commanders. Of course, the politician should attend to his work, and the commander should attend to his work and not interfere in each other's work. Otherwise, corruption will arise; as we see in some countries where they have interfered in each other's work, corruption has arisen.

Another point I must remind is that the army and the Revolutionary Guards are two blood brothers, both children of the revolution and this land and country and nation. Let not the enemy be able to use ignorance to create discord between the two brothers. Thanks be to God, today the relationship between the army and the Revolutionary Guards is good, and I look at you with great hope. God willing, you will be like this and always act with this spirit.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings