Statements to the Commanders and Forces of the Navy's Forward Base in Bandar Abbas

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

I express my gratitude to the Almighty God for granting me the opportunity to renew my commitment and to sincerely convey my appreciation to you dear commanders, staff, and young individuals, as I stand here today in this field.

Rest assured that today one of the most effective actions is what you are engaged in within the naval forces of the Army and the IRGC, compensating for the long-standing setbacks that the tyrannical governments did not allow and did not provide the grounds for the advancement of navigation and maritime presence for our beloved Iran. Your multiplied efforts today must compensate for those long-term setbacks.

As we all know, the sea represents a great opportunity for a country to advance and safeguard national interests. The benefits of the sea for a country and a nation are strategic; they are significant and grand. Those who dominated the sea and navigation over the centuries—almost for four centuries—were able to expand their international power to distant lands. Nations were oppressed, territories were seized, and the resources of nations were squandered; however, those governments and countries that dominated the sea were able to create material prestige and great powers for themselves through these oppressive means. The nations of our region, whether in the Persian Gulf or the Sea of Oman, had for many years—perhaps for decades—become accustomed to hearing the powerful and tyrannical voices of those who boarded warships and came from afar to this region, remaining silent and subdued before them.

Once upon a time in this very Persian Gulf, in this very sensitive maritime region, a British warship would come, and the English commander of the ship would issue commands from within that ship, and people felt obliged to execute those orders. This situation persisted for many years in this region.

Today, everything has changed. The long and continuous coast belonging to our beloved Iran is now under the control of an independent government and a proud and awakened nation; a nation that relies on the Almighty God; recognizes its strength and takes pride in it, imposing its will over the domineering will of any political or military power and forcing those who wish to dominate nations through coercion to retreat.

Today, the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, despite the undesirable and harmful presence of warships from various countries—European and American—in this region, is a free, independent, and self-reliant area, thanks to the presence of the Islamic Republic and the proud Iran and the powerful nation of our dear country.

The era has passed when some would come to secure the fate of this region with their military presence. There may still be among the rulers and statesmen of this region those who wish to align their wavelengths with foreign transmitters; however, nations have awakened today. Today, nations are alert. Today, nations know that the military and armed presence of foreigners in any region—not just in our region—is a source of insecurity for that region. Here too, the presence of foreigners is a source of insecurity. The security of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman is ensured by the presence of the countries of the region and their cooperation, and nothing else. The benefits of the sea belong to all; the resources of this blessed sea belong to these nations. How can we utilize these blessings for the benefit of national interests and benefit the country? By having power. This power can be secured by you armed forces who are accustomed to the meaning of jihad and the concept of self-sacrifice.

From the very beginning of the formation of the Islamic Republic system, we have never encouraged any country or power to confrontation and war, nor will we, and as far as we can, we will prevent any calculated or accidental confrontation—this is reserved. We are a peace-seeking nation; however, those who wish to secure their progress through military presence, through military coercion, through usual bullying, must feel a powerful nation in front of them; and the manifestation of the nation's power at sea is you naval forces who are stationed along this long coast.

Every day and night of yours, every working period of yours, every operational, support, or training responsibility of yours is a virtue; an action in the path of the interests of the Iranian nation and the glory of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Almighty God considers this struggle—this struggle that many do not recognize; in fact, the silent struggle—as worthy and decrees for you reward and merit in the divine records. Whatever you can do, in this sacred effort, sincerely and devotedly and with all your strength and power, strive and continue, and know that this country, this system, and this nation owe you young individuals who embody and demonstrate its power.

This region has great tasks with the presence of armed forces; both in the Sea of Oman and along the shores of the Persian Gulf. Government agencies and various officials of the country are obliged to cooperate with the armed forces to ensure that these tasks are carried out in the best possible manner.

I am pleased to be present today among you dear ones, young people, officials, and commanders of the armed forces in this region. I thank God, and as this dear young man said in the beautiful text he read, my intention is to express my appreciation, and I want to tell you that your reward, your efforts are preserved before the Almighty God, and you yourselves, your families, and your loved ones will certainly be under the grace and favor of God, and God willing, will be remembered in the prayers of the Awaited Savior (may our souls be sacrificed for him).

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