Statements of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces at the Graduation Ceremony at Imam Ali (AS) Officer University

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

First of all, I sincerely congratulate all those who have graduated today - both in the bachelor's and associate degree programs - and also to all the dear youths who received their epaulettes today. You have entered a prestigious arena; you have embarked on a path where everything is blessed and filled with goodness and beauty; for it is the path of striving, effort, and service in the way of God. On the path of God, everything is beautiful. Hearts that are attentive to God accept hardships and pains, as well as joys and happiness. In this path - which is the path of striving, effort, and attention to God - matter and meaning are for God; this world and the Hereafter are in the direction of divine pleasure. The end of life, however it may be, is under divine grace and favor, and if this inevitable end of life is martyrdom in the way of God, it is the pinnacle of honor. This is the path you have ahead of you. Great blessings, honors, and dignities are not only in the short span of life but throughout the history of mankind and beyond, in the realm of divine knowledge - which is infinite - and cannot be compared to anything else. God willing, may you be successful.

I have always viewed this university as a reservoir of hope; for in this university, noble, faithful, and honorable youths are trained who can have lasting and significant impacts on our armed forces in the future; just as throughout the years of the blessed life of the Islamic system, our armed forces - the Army, the Revolutionary Guard, and other armed forces - have taken the most glorious positions in the most prestigious fields and accomplished great tasks. Undoubtedly, in a system like the Islamic Republic of Iran and among a nation like the brave and faithful Iranian people, being a member of the armed forces is a great success and honor. The Islamic Republic of Iran does not wish to use its armed forces for aggression and invasion against any nation or any person. Throughout history, and even now, you can see what objectives armed organizations are used for in the world! The Islamic Republic of Iran employs its armed forces, who live with utmost piety, dignity, and righteousness, far removed from the extravagances, corruptions, and debasements of many armed forces, in the defense of national independence, the lofty goals of the Iranian nation, national dignity, and religious and faith identity. Our armed forces are proud to have responded to the needs of this country when required. They fought valiantly and courageously, putting their lives on the line to prove that they are active, capable, and sincere arms for the Iranian nation. This is a great honor and dignity.

Today, the issue for the Iranian nation and the Islamic Republic system remains the same. We have no intention of aggression against any country or any nation; however, unstable countries and unstable regimes are present at our eastern and western borders. The Iranian nation must be vigilant. The armed forces must be on alert. We are not the initiators; however, we must be awake. A great nation, with great goals defined for itself, needs to strive and work in a secure and calm environment. If enemies from outside these borders seek to disrupt this secure and calm environment, the entire nation will rise against them, with the armed forces at the forefront.

Today, in the southern waters of our country - in the Persian Gulf - foreign forces, with their presence, create the grounds for tension. Contrary to American claims, their presence not only does not bring any security to this region but is a precursor and cause of insecurity. The Persian Gulf is a sea surrounded by several countries with historical and rooted nations, and most importantly, it has the long and extended borders of dear and Islamic Iran. The Persian Gulf must be managed by the countries to which it belongs and in whose embrace it lies. The presence of foreign forces is provocative. The Iranian nation is facing such challenges. The Iranian nation is not inclined to engage in war, bloodshed, aggression, or transgression; however, in the face of the treacherous motives of the enemies, it has shown that it acts bravely, decisively, strongly, resiliently, and with awareness and insight regarding its historical duty. The armed forces, with this perspective, with this feeling, with complete wisdom, and with full awareness, must find their true place among this great nation and see themselves.

The officer university, named after the blessed Amir al-Mu'minin Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him); that unique man in the history of mankind, is, thanks be to God, an exemplary university. You dear youths are exemplary. Lessons, discipline, religion, ethics, and similar qualities are characteristics of this university. Enrich these as much as you can, and thanks be to God, it has been improving day by day. My expectation from you dear youths is that you continuously support the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran like an inexhaustible source. Fresh forces, new blood, faith, discipline, awareness, and wisdom must be issued from this university to the vast body of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, making the army more vibrant and flourishing day by day. It is not the case that when you leave the officer university, the responsibilities you have defined for yourself in this university come to an end. These responsibilities have just begun in practical fields. Thanks be to God, we have many enduring figures from this tested army in the memory of this nation. Our hearts will not forget the memory of these dear ones - the great martyrs of the army. We will not forget the memory of 'Martyr Sayyad Shirazi' and the loyal Amir 'Zahir Nejad' who, from the first day of the revolution until the moment of his passing, endeavored in every field he could. The nation does not forget. These are your predecessors; they are your forerunners. My dear ones! Be the best successors for these predecessors. The armed forces - the army and the Revolutionary Guard - must be present in all fields, brotherly and hand in hand, with a common goal that exists for all armed forces. Both you and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps should strengthen your organizations. Strengthening means internal strengthening, spiritual strengthening, and strengthening the spirit of faith and the spirit of wisdom. If these two elements exist in an organization, that organization will be a useful, saving, and healing entity in all situations; whether in war, peace, construction, in the classroom, in operational units, in exercises, in headquarters, or in research laboratories. With the spirit of faith and the spirit of wisdom - which adorn you dear youths and must be present - you can attract divine attention and mercy.

I thank the esteemed commander of the university and the organizers of this course and previous courses, as well as the esteemed commander of the ground forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and finally, the esteemed commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran's army. I hope that you take better and greater steps toward these lofty ideals and be included in the pure prayers of the Almighty Imam Mahdi (may our souls be sacrificed for him).

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