Statements at the Introduction Ceremony of Admiral Ali Shamkhani, Commander of the Navy of the Islamic Republic of Iran

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

Thanks be to God for granting us the success to take an effective and significant step towards creating greater cohesion and connection between the two major combat organizations of the Islamic Republic of Iran. We have transferred one of the distinguished brothers and renowned commanders in the field of sacred jihad from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, establishing the relationship that the Iranian nation and, foremost, our dear departed Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified) desired between these two organizations in the best possible form. Of course, such an action is not unprecedented, although it is quite rare.

We also know of another brilliant figure who voluntarily transferred from the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, achieving high and distinguished ranks within this organization, rendering invaluable services, and ultimately attaining the honor of martyrdom in the path of God. I am referring to 'Martyr Kalhdooz,' the army officer whom the Guard Corps embraced, and it is evident what effects and blessings the presence of such an informed army officer had in the high ranks of the Guard Corps at that time.

Here, I would like to remind a few points:

The first point is that if we appointed our dear brother Admiral Shamkhani as the commander of the Navy, it does not imply any lack of affection or dissatisfaction with our diligent and devoted brother, Admiral Malekzadegan. During his tenure as the commander of the Navy, he was an outstanding and exemplary commander, better and more sincerely and faithfully engaged in jihad than all his predecessors, and was a source of many blessings for the Navy. He has been and will always be one of the capable and reputable officers and commanders of the Army of the Islamic Republic, God willing. I had sent Mr. Malekzadegan from my office to the Navy. He was a member of our military working group, consulted by me during the early presidency. Today, after several years of sincere service in the Navy, we are returning him to our advisory group.

The second point is that our dear brother Mr. Shamkhani is an efficient, capable, and trustworthy military figure, trusted by the system's officials and the country's dedicated and committed military personnel. I hope he can be a source of blessings and services in the position of commander of the Navy of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, whose positive impact will be evident not only in our military forces but also in the realm of the country's foreign policy issues.

As we know, today, the southern border region and the long and extended maritime coasts of our dear country in that region are the most sensitive of all border areas, holding utmost importance for the country's destiny in terms of international sensitivity, strategic position, and economic and political aspects. Our efficient, lively, active, and field-leading Navy, God willing, will be able to have positive impacts on the country's overall policies.

Fortunately, this force, as mentioned in his decree, is rich and well-stocked in terms of both equipment and human resources, with efficient individuals, knowledgeable specialists, and ready personnel serving in the Navy of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

His first duty is to appoint elements from within or outside the Navy, wherever needed, who will be the elite of the Navy of the Army of the Islamic Republic, to effective and high ranks within this force and prepare them for work.

The second duty is to strive to make the element of commitment, faith, religiosity, and unconditional and wholehearted interest in the country's destiny, revolution, and the Islamic Republic system among the prominent and outstanding qualities of our Navy; because it can be said that today and possibly in the coming years, the committed Navy is tasked with guarding the most sensitive vulnerable points or those subject to speculation and threat.

Of course, it is evident that anyone present and working in the Navy of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran will be an army member and part of the Navy. It should not and will not be that non-army personnel have presence and responsibility in the Navy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. In any case, elite elements must be assigned to fundamental and important tasks within that force, and the field for the growth and advancement of talented individuals must be kept open so that we can always have complete confidence in that region and borders, God willing.

I must again thank Admiral Malekzadegan for his efforts. I have witnessed how much he worked and strived in the Navy. The force he received is very different from the one he hands over today. This trend of progress and development of the force must continue.

We must, God willing, solve the problem of lack of coordination and multiplicity of responsibility in the maritime border region and within this force in a proper manner. Fortunately, the Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is not parallel to the Navy of the Army of the Islamic Republic; rather, it is considered complementary. The Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps possesses things that we would have had to create in the Navy of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran if we did not have them. Therefore, coordinating them and placing these two forces side by side is a possible and easy task, the method of which we will, God willing, communicate to the officials in a clear and explicit manner at the appropriate time. Various methods are proposed, and certainly, among them, the best will be chosen, and that will be implemented so that the sensitive region does not suffer from multiple orientations and command.

Perhaps recommending this point to our dear brother Mr. Shamkhani is unnecessary, that in the Navy of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, what should be given the most attention are the young people who join this force. Nowshahr, which is an equipped and efficient training center, is a very important center. We must increase the faith of the faithful young people who join our military institutions day by day and advance them in the manner that the revolution favors, and this is a very important matter.

I strongly recommend to the dear army brothers, the Joint Staff of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, our dear brother Admiral Shahbazi, the General Staff of the Armed Forces, and also the personnel of the Navy, for all-round cooperation and support. What is being done, although from my perspective is a completely natural and prominent matter, may cause some minds to become ambiguous and doubtful, which must be dispelled in the best and clearest way, presenting the issue as it is, clearly, correctly, and completely.

We hope that, God willing, this force, with the use and assistance of divine help and confirmations, can be as expected in the sensitive region and become stronger day by day. I hope God grants abundant success to all of you dear brothers.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings