Speech at the Graduation Ceremony of Students at Nowshahr Naval University

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

First, I sincerely congratulate the graduates who received their officer ranks today, as well as those who completed their training and received their insignia; for entering this rank is a great honor. I also congratulate the officials and those involved in this Naval Sciences University complex and the commanders of the Navy of the Islamic Republic of Iran for their planning and successes.

I attended this ceremony to once again emphasize the importance of the Navy and this great responsibility — which is to guard the sea and the maritime rights of the Iranian nation — and to show respect to these warriors. Thanks be to God, we have long maritime borders and the means to defend these borders, and to this day, we have defended these borders with pride. Those who are involved in the affairs of this region are witnesses to this fact. We have also offered dear martyrs — both at the beginning of the imposed war and in this recent period when America practically entered the battlefield in the Persian Gulf. Today, thanks be to God, righteous youth are ready to shoulder this great duty. You, the warriors of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, have a major responsibility in this matter. Therefore, you must become stronger and more efficient day by day. This is the main point.

As long as the call for justice exists and is voiced powerfully by the Iranian nation as the main message of the revolution, we must know that the enemies of justice are lurking. As long as there is protest against the transgressions and aggressions of ruling powers on an international level, we must know that the powers benefiting from the current global situation are discontent and waiting to strike.

This revolution has frowned upon all evils in global interactions and relations between nations and has said 'no' to all oppressive and aggressive powers. This revolution and the Islamic Republic system have protested and will continue to protest against the injustices prevalent in the world today and the system that embodies these injustices. That is why, in every corner of the world, when people who are aware of this revolution hear the name of the revolution, its great leader, and the selfless guardians of the revolution — our great nation — they meet with respect and admiration. We have witnessed this and we know it. This is because the Islamic Revolution of Iran and this sacred divine system have defended the rights of the oppressed. We must be strong so that hope remains in the hearts of nations.

You brothers, you commanders of the Navy, you young people who are just entering this path, must know that the honorable responsibility and duty you bear is one of the most critical and highest of these duties. The brothers of the Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are also alongside you.

The main responsibility for safeguarding the sea lies with the Navy of the Army of the Islamic Republic and the Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Each has a part of the mission and they complement each other. The Navy of the Guard Corps undertakes tasks and parts of the mission that, if it did not exist, we would have to create a section to fulfill those missions. Today, thanks be to God, that section exists and is at our disposal. The Navy of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, with diverse and heavy equipment, undertakes the central tasks and must enhance its combat capability by gathering all resources and preserving what exists, as well as through continuous effort.

The fundamental value of an army is that it moves in the path of the nation and great national goals. Our nation rose for the sovereignty of Islam and sacrificed for Islam. All these honorable and dear martyrs across the country, who were from the people and were not members of the armed forces, and only came to the fronts as Basijis, accompanied by their families, fathers, and mothers, gave themselves to all that sacrifice for the love of Islam and ultimately became martyrs. Many more were those who put themselves or their children at risk and, thanks be to God, returned to their homes safely after the war or during it. They too entered this field for the love of Islam.

The axis is Islam. We must move for Islam. Today, Iran is the central hub of Islam. Iran is Islamic Iran. Muslims around the world, of every nationality and ethnicity, today look to Iran. Nationalists repel each other; but in our Iran and in this pure and sacred land, what is it that attracts other nations to itself? It is faith, Islam, and the struggle for great Islamic goals, the greatest of which is the fight against oppression and tyranny and the effort for freedom and justice; nothing else. Nations are attracted to these things.

The soldier of this land must be committed to Islam and believe in it from the depths of his heart and soul. The Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran is like this. You dear young people, in this academic complex and in this scientific and military center, must be careful to build and strengthen yourselves spiritually and religiously alongside your scientific and combat capabilities. You must be a model and example of a pure, sincere, faithful, well-intentioned, well-behaved Muslim with knowledge and sincerity, and in this college, all professors, commanders, trainers, and students are obliged to pay attention to this matter. One who does not believe in the religious mission of the country, the nation, and his combat organization from the depths of his heart will not be able to fulfill the nation's expectations of himself.

We see that, thanks be to God, today our army is a religious army. Of course, it is not that there are no less devout or indifferent people in it; but despite what the enemies wanted regarding the proud army of Iran, we see today that this army is an Islamic army and must become more Islamic day by day.

I hope you will be divinely approved. Today's ceremony was also good and indicative of the depth of work on this college. I am also pleased to meet you and will be waiting to see, God willing, better and more progress and signs of combat power and spiritual and divine faith in you.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings