Speech at the Morning Military Ceremony of the Second Naval Region Base of the Navy in Bushehr

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

I thank the Almighty God for all His boundless blessings and favors, including the special favors He bestowed upon the armed forces. Certainly, the collective and selfless efforts of the dear children of this Islamic homeland during the difficult days and years of the imposed war paved the way for these boundless divine favors.

I feel that in this region, the armed forces are engaged in their service with a spirit befitting this area. This region is sensitive and, from a historical perspective, full of lessons and teachings. Like some other areas of the Persian Gulf, this region was once a place of power display by occupiers and power-seekers who had no regard for the dignity, independence, and values of nations. History has witnessed that in this very Bushehr, British forces landed to pressure the then government of Iran and took control of this blessed and strategically sensitive coast. Unfortunately, this trend, in various forms—and although not directly in all circumstances—has persisted in these areas over the years.

Today, you are the coastal forces and guardians of the security of these coasts, serving independently and relying on your own land forces and the support of your nation, not relying on any other power. Even in the recent past, before the victory of the revolution, this independence was unprecedented. Appreciate this independence, this self-reliance of a proud human being, which is felt in each of you thanks to the Islamic Revolution and Islamic dignity. Today, our armed forces, wherever they are and within any organization they serve, feel that they do not rely on any foreign power and choose no support for themselves other than their inherent forces, national power, and the foundation of all these, namely their faith-based belief; this is an honor.

The forces that today have an usurping presence in some parts of the Persian Gulf are phenomena that will sooner or later vanish for our nation and armed forces. The Persian Gulf belongs to the nations residing around it. The security of the Persian Gulf is a duty on the shoulders of the nations living around this important global region; and the long coast of the Islamic Republic of Iran undoubtedly has a very important role in maintaining the security of this region, and we will fulfill this role by God's grace; this is our historical duty and geographical and regional responsibility.

You, the armed forces, with the preparations that, by God's grace, you have been continuously enhancing, can be the display of the power of the Iranian nation. Just as you are supported by the nation, the nation also looks at you, its children, as defenders of its sanctity and dignity.

The readiness of the armed forces is of utmost importance. In this region, our naval forces—who, thanks be to God, are cooperating and performing their duties with very good and desirable cohesion compared to the past—should increase this coordination, cooperation, and unity day by day. Be two organizations with one spirit and one goal; that is, one spirit in two forms. The forms should not mix with each other; but the spirit should get closer day by day. Cooperation and mutual understanding should be at the highest level, and God willing, there should be harmony in the path of service; this is a very important opportunity for the two naval forces.

I strongly emphasize maintenance and repair; today, this is a very important duty for you; it is an opportunity for the reconstruction of tools, equipment, and facilities. Pursue this work with seriousness and innovation, and find and traverse shortcuts as expected from determined, resolute, and revolutionary individuals like you. All armed forces throughout the country should consider the reconstruction of tools and equipment, as well as maintenance and repair, as an unforgettable and very necessary lesson. You have talent; these talents should manifest in the armed forces, including in this section, which is an important and sensitive point.

Thanks be to God, with the position that the Islamic Republic holds in the world, we are today able to procure our resources from most parts of the world. In this regard, the previous problems do not exist in that form, and in some sections, there are no problems at all; but despite this, the greater reliance should be on ourselves, on our own innovation, on our own wealth, on the power of our skillful hands and active and innovative minds. Consider this a general directive in all sections and plan based on it. Alongside this, the maintenance and reconstruction of human resources and the extraction of sources of talent in them in all sections is the pinnacle of all tasks.

Dear brothers! The combatant elements of the armed forces! According to historical experiences, what is most a source of pride for nations is their defensive power and constructive power; in the criteria of appreciation and valuation of nations, what is placed at the top of the page are these two capabilities. Never in history is a country praised, for example, for the extent of its trade or the luxuries of its life or excessive consumption and such things; except by superficial tongues and shallow minds; but nations that have been able to defend themselves in critical times are praised by history, and deep-thinking strata look at them with admiration. History also praises nations that have been able to, after devastating blows and extensive destruction, restore themselves to their former state—or even better—through construction and innovation.

You, the armed forces and the entire Iranian nation, have passed a good test in one stage; in the second stage—namely the reconstruction stage—there must also be the same display of power at all levels of the country and wherever a proud and worthy person from the Iranian people is present. During the Sacred Defense, the entire nation cooperated with each other, and the armed forces—the army and the vast ocean of the popular Basij—created such greatness in various fields that caught the world's attention. Today, like in past years and even more, we observe signs of this global attention and admiration.

In the second section, the armed forces must also participate in construction. Firstly, in internal construction in a jihadist manner, in a Basiji manner, in a revolutionary manner, without waiting for all the details that are necessary and effective for ordinary people to be provided, tirelessly, passionately, with a surge of innovation and talent, without saying we lack this or that, even with empty hands. Construction, where it relies on the love, enthusiasm, innovation, and creativity of people, is possible despite all the lacks and deficiencies. Thanks be to God, we are not even suffering from lack. We want to surge. We want talents to manifest. Secondly, outside the armed forces, the army and the IRGC can also play their part in the general reconstruction of the country; just as today both organizations—and especially the IRGC—have undertaken and participated in major projects of the country's general construction.

Our dear nation must feel that the armed forces can be pioneers and forerunners not only during the war but also during the reconstruction period. Of course, the primary issue in the armed forces is maintaining combat readiness and accumulating more training, discipline, various capabilities, and renewal within the organization of the armed forces, and secondly at the national level.

Never forget God. Keep your heart connected and attached to the unseen source of power—that is, the abundant source of existence, namely the Almighty God. By relying on and being encouraged by this inexhaustible source of power, humanity becomes an invulnerable and undefeatable being. You—especially the youth—with your pure hearts and bright spirits, by connecting with God, create this invulnerability and undefeatability within yourselves; the Almighty God will also open the source of His grace to you. God willing, you will be successful and be under the attention of the Imam of the Age (may our souls be sacrificed for him) and always be counted among the soldiers of truth and virtue.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings