Statements at the Inauguration and Awarding Ceremony of Cadets of the Islamic Republic Army

University of Martyr Sattari

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

The program of the field was a very beautiful and meaningful program. I must congratulate all of you dear youth; both the graduates who today are honored to receive their ranks and officially join the proud army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the student youth who, by receiving their epaulettes, have begun their path towards readiness and the values of the officer corps of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic. We hope that the Almighty God grants all of you His mercy, grace, and guidance, and that He determines your lives and your outcomes in a manner that is pleasing to Him.

The glorious memories of the army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and specifically the Air Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran - which is hosting this ceremony today - cannot be erased from the history of this country. Yes, martyrs and self-sacrificers have ascended and departed; however, their path, which is the path of glorious struggle for the ideals of Islam and the Quran and the protection of our dear homeland Iran, continues. The spirit of our pilots during the imposed war was among the phenomena that were unparalleled or very rare in the armed forces of the countries of the world. The officers of the Air Force - both the brave and swift pilots and the technical officers - each played a role in their own right and were able to bring the immense experience of the eight-year Sacred Defense to those glorious results. The memory of a pilot like martyr Babaei and a highly capable technical officer like martyr Sattari will never be forgotten by the Iranian nation.

The army of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, during a difficult period of hard tests, were able to present such a personality and identity that undoubtedly, in our past, one cannot see a similar one or can rarely observe it; our dear youth should appreciate this. You, my dear children, should know that we are proud of our brave armed forces; you should also feel proud to be part of these sacred, brave, self-sacrificing, and renowned forces.

Without threatening anyone, we consider the strength and authority of the armed forces to be the most important factor in maintaining the external security of the Iranian nation and the Islamic Republic. We do not threaten anyone, but we deem it necessary for the Iranian nation and our dear country to feel secure under the strong shield of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic - whether the army, the Basij, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or the police forces. Therefore, we consider it the duty of all officials to strive for the power of the armed forces; to include the strengthening of these forces in their programs. We hear the repeated and disgusting threats of the enemies of the Iranian nation; our response to any kind of malice against the Iranian nation will be a serious and hard response; all those who have become accustomed to threatening the Iranian nation with their words should be informed and know this. The Iranian nation is a nation that has shown its steadfastness in defending its ideals and interests in such a way that its desire for health, peace, and coexistence with Muslim brothers and all of humanity is parallel to its determination.

Let me also say this: We support the diplomatic efforts of the government. Alongside the comprehensive readiness of the Iranian nation - whether in terms of economy, internal security, the strengthening of the internal structure of the Islamic system, national unity, and military readiness - we give importance to the efforts and movements of diplomacy, both in the recent trip and beyond, and we support what our government does and the diplomatic efforts and movements they are making in this regard. Of course, some of what happened during the New York trip was, in our opinion, inappropriate; however, we are optimistic about the diplomatic delegation of our dear nation and our serving government; of course, we are pessimistic about the Americans; we have no trust in them. We consider the government of the United States of America to be an unreliable government; a self-superior government, an illogical and treacherous government, a government firmly in the grip of the power of the international Zionist network - which, due to the demands and illegitimate interests of the international Zionist network, they are forced to show leniency towards the usurping and fraudulent regime occupying Palestine; they call it American interests, while the national interests of America completely contradict what they are doing today in support of that fraudulent regime; the United States government extorts tribute from all over the world and pays tribute to the fraudulent Zionist regime; we are witnessing these truths - we have no trust in the American government, we trust our officials, we are optimistic, and we ask them to take steps carefully, considering all aspects, and to firmly uphold national interests without forgetting them for a moment.

What is important for the Islamic Republic system is the internal strength of the Islamic Republic system, the internal strength of the Iranian nation; the very thing that has been able to preserve this country from the first day until today; national unity, attention to the lofty ideals of the Islamic Republic system, attention to national dignity. The Iranian nation is a dear nation; the revolution restored the dignity of the nation to them. The time has passed when an American sergeant dared to slap an Iranian colonel in the soil of Iran; the day when our dear country's officials had to consider the demands of greedy and excessive enemies has passed. The Islamic Republic has honored the Iranian nation; this dignity remains, and day by day this dignity has increased, and from now on, it is both the duty of all officials and the duty of the entire Iranian nation to preserve this dignity and defend it. A nation, with its original identity, with its dignity, remains proud and can achieve progress.

The role of the armed forces in this regard is to keep themselves prepared, to maintain their spirit of defense for the ideals and for the nation that has trusted and relied on them. The army, the Guard, the Basij, the police, and all those connected to the armed forces should consider it their duty to be a strong barrier against the plots and malice of the enemies against the Iranian nation; this requires that you create readiness. You are young, full of energy, and possess a pure heart; you can prepare yourselves for the future of your country, get ready, build, and the Almighty God will support you. I pray to the Almighty God for the elevation of the souls of the dear martyrs and the elevation of the ranks of Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) and I wish for your success, dear youth, during your service and throughout your lives.

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