Statements of the Supreme Leader in Meeting with Army Personnel and Commanders

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

Welcome, my dear ones. I hope, God willing, that Army Day will be a blessed, fruitful, and future-building day for the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran. These commemorative days and weeks—such as Army Day, Teacher's Day, Worker's Day, and the Day of the Revolutionary Guards—are for self-reflection. It is necessary for every group to occasionally look at itself. An external view, not an internal one. An internal view is self-conceit, but an external view is a critical and penetrating eye.

We thank God that the army has, over the years, progressed day by day, thanks be to God. Today's army is not comparable to the army of previous years. Today, the army has advanced significantly. However, self-reflection, review, and introspection are always necessary. The same applies to individuals. It is sometimes necessary for an individual to step outside themselves. This is harder than stepping outside a group. Every individual must free themselves from the prison of ego, conceit, and pride, and look at themselves from the outside. We all need this transformation. Human nature is mixed with deficiencies. When can we eliminate these deficiencies? When we see them, recognize them, and accept that we have deficiencies. If we consider ourselves absolute, we become arrogant. We imagine we have no deficiencies. So when will we think of remedying ourselves? When we see and recognize our deficiencies.

You see, the spiritual teachers of humanity, the prophets, and the Imams (peace be upon them), always wielded a hammer to strike the elephant of ego that is our soul. The soul, which is the degrading aspect of our existence, instills and suggests desires to us and draws us towards them. Our weaknesses and deficiencies stem from there. We must have self-reflection to see these weaknesses.

Consider how Imam Sajjad (peace be upon him), that luminous center, that mine of spirituality and perfection, the adornment of all the worshippers of the world, confronts himself in the prayers of Sahifa Sajjadiya and places himself before the Lord of the worlds, pleading! In the middle of the night and after the night prayer—not the ordinary night prayer, but the night prayer of Sayyid Sajjad, that noble Imam—he turns to the Lord of the worlds and says: 'And this is the position of one who has been deceived by his soul, who is angry with it and pleased with You.' Meaning, 'O Lord! I am ashamed before You because of my soul, because of my weaknesses and deficiencies. I am angry with my soul and pleased with You.' Imam Sajjad (peace be upon him) says this to the Lord of the worlds: 'So he meets You with a humble soul and a submissive neck.' This is self-review, where a person ascends the sky of perfection step by step and becomes complete. If noble individuals emerge and if spiritualities and beauties manifest and show themselves, it is all due to self-review and seeing one's own defects and flaws. Unlike a person who closes their eyes to all these weaknesses, considers themselves free, becomes arrogant towards themselves and God, becomes arrogant about the small flame of luminosity that exists in them and ultimately in every human being, and is content with it. Some people are content with the slightest good within themselves. Such a person cannot traverse the path of perfection.

Groups are the same. You must look at what is necessary. This nation, from the day it became aware of its deficiencies, from the day it became aware of its weaknesses and gained self-confidence, began to progress, advance, and develop. You must imagine that the army of an independent, pioneering nation with the highest human and humanitarian ideals and aspirations should be like this. Set this as your goal and move in this direction.

The fundamental issue in this revolution and this country is the issue of 'independence.' With independence, all blessings and benefits reach a country. Just as all weaknesses stem from a country's 'dependence' on the outside, which is the source and result. Because dependence is the first step in disregarding the existing resources and divine gifts for a nation. Becoming dependent on a center of power—at any level—and following it, ignoring beliefs, ignoring indigenous culture, disregarding the aspirations of the people, and even disregarding national interests are the results of dependence. The worst governments are those that impose dependence on their nation. Nations do not want to be dependent. Look at the people of a village! If they can, they do not want to be dependent on the village center or, for example, the city center. Dependence is against human nature. But governments impose it on their people and crush the nation in the process. Yesterday in one way, today in another.

Today in the world, dependence is created through propaganda. Because nations have opened their eyes and ears and understand, and the agents of dependence cannot forcibly create dependence, they do it through propaganda. Look at the case of Lebanon—a great human tragedy that cannot be denied—not a proper voice was raised from the Arab countries, let alone the Islamic countries and some other countries. While the tragedy of Lebanon is a great human tragedy. The ugliest form of aggression that can be imagined is the aggression that the malicious, hard-hearted, and anti-human Zionists are committing against the land and people of Lebanon today.

Today, the position of Hezbollah and the people of Lebanon is a 'defensive' position. They are defending themselves. Today, Hezbollah is defending the people of Lebanon and their rights. They are throwing themselves into the fire and water to defend the rights of the Lebanese people and the independence of Lebanon. The usurping government of Palestine has not been content with the usurpation of Palestine and has taken part of southern Lebanon as well. The people of Lebanon are defending themselves against the occupiers and telling them, 'Get out of our land.' The norm worldwide is to praise fighters who tell the occupier, 'Get out of our land.' Today, in the world, which liberation movement tells the foreigner, 'Get out of my land,' and is not praised by both friend and foe?! This is the first time that the world of global arrogance, led by the malicious and vile America, not only does not support a liberation and freedom-seeking movement that tells the usurper, 'Get out of my land,' but also condemns it!

In the recent conflicts in Lebanon, the issue is fundamentally even higher than this. The Zionists killed a child in Lebanon. The Lebanese fighters launched a limited attack on Israel in retaliation for the blood of that child. But Israel launched this extensive and comprehensive attack. Even in this comprehensive attack, several children have been killed again. Now, most of the casualties in Lebanon—as we have been informed—are children. Child-killing Zionists! See how clear and evident the tragedy is! How great the sin is! How clear the truth is! Then the President and the ruling apparatus of America, instead of asking their vile protégé, the Israelis and the head of the Israeli government, to show restraint and kill less and invade less, and finally rebuke them, politically attack Hezbollah and the people of Lebanon, saying, 'Why don't you stop?'! See how inverted and corrupt their political norms and culture are?! See how bad they are?! See what kind of people humanity is caught in the hands of today?! Then understand what the Islamic Republic says, what the Imam said, and what the revolution says. They think and act so invertedly, unjustly, and anti-human, yet they puff out their chests and hold their heads high without any shame. It is truly astonishing! If the slightest ripple occurs within the occupied territories of Palestine, the President of America immediately emerges from the 'Black House' and makes a statement to coordinate with their vile protégés and Israeli lapdogs.

In the recent incident, dozens of people were killed in their homes and in self-defense by oppression and force. Not only are they not supported, but they are also attacked. This is what the leaders of Islam have foretold, that one day in the world, the known will become unknown, and the unknown will become known. Today is that day. See how they make the unknown known and the known unknown in the world! Today, in the face of this corruption and depravity, who should stand up? Then governments hand over their nations to the powers with their hands tied. They also believe it and say, 'We are the leaders of the world!' This claim is uglier than all their previous actions. That a group of arrogant, power-hungry people who have not even smelled the most basic principles of human ethics claim to be the leaders of billions of people is, in my opinion, a greater insult to humanity than all previous insults.

The Americans have come to believe that they are the leaders of humanity! Now, in the streets of New York and Washington and other places, an ordinary person cannot walk the streets at night without a weapon! Their security is at this level. Today, in that spiritually afflicted country, children in homes do not have sexual security from their stepfathers! Their morality is at this level. Today, wife abuse and beating women to death are nowhere in the world as much as in America. Today, crimes against children—whether in the form of killing or in the form of sexual crimes and atrocities—are nowhere as much as in America. Twelve, thirteen-year-old children in the streets of America carry weapons, smoke cigarettes, and drink alcohol! Yet they claim they want to lead the world! Isn't this shameful?!

Such issues make one aware of the importance of a nation's independence. Then a ruler comes and hands over the fate of the country and its people to such executioners! There are so many human excellences within a nation! How many scholars, scientists, cultural figures, self-sacrificing elements, and brilliant humanities exist within a nation; sacrifices and talents! Handing over all this collection to such executioners, what concept does it have other than becoming subject to their policy?! Subject to their policy that says, 'You must take this position on the Middle East issue,' and they say, 'Yes!' 'You must do this on the Bosnia issue,' and they say, 'Yes!' Is this correct?

For a nation, there is no greater humiliation than dependence. There is no heavier crime against a nation by its officials than making that nation dependent. In contrast, for the officials of a nation, there is no greater service and duty than preserving its independence. Of course, independence has levels, the first of which is political independence. Political independence is the easiest. That is, a government is established that is not dependent on the powers. The Islamic Revolution is like this. The government of Iran during the cursed, disgraceful, corrupt regime that was stuck up to its neck in the quagmire of dependence was born dependent. Mohammad Reza, whose father had dependence, moved and breathed in an environment of dependence from birth and could not imagine otherwise. They had driven this nation towards dependence. When the Islamic Revolution came, it removed them from this nation. They were truly removed, like removing impurity from the body and garment, which is necessary for prayer! The Islamic Revolution removed the body of this nation, and they left. The Islamic Revolution brought to power a government that is independent. It does not listen to America. It does not listen to anyone else and fears no one.

Today, by the grace of God, the government of the Islamic Republic is like this. The President of Iran, the country's officials, and the members of parliament are like this. The President of Iran, in front of the inquisitive eyes of the world, takes positions on the issues of Palestine, Lebanon, and Bosnia that make the enemies grind their teeth and gnash their chains in anger and rage! This is political independence with firm political positions. But above political independence is economic independence, which the country's officials, members of parliament, and those involved in economic matters must pay attention to, to cut their dependence in all sectors in terms of money, economic mechanisms, and economic activities. One of the sectors is you, dear army personnel, who must cut your dependence.

We now have tools that are foreign-made. They also thought that because these tools are their products, they are dependent on them! After the revolution and during the imposed war, they were pleased with this. You cut the relationship of this offspring from that pair, and the dependence ended, it went. That is, you became independent. Yes; once the tools available in the Islamic Republic were like a fetus feeding from that pair. But today it is not so, and the country is independent. You did this. This was done by conscientious and interested officials and faithful and Hezbollah elements. Remember: 'Hezbollah'!

Some try not to devalue the word Hezbollah. Hezbollah has saved this country. Hezbollah did those things in the imposed war. Hezbollah preserved the army. If it were not for the Hezbollahis in the army, the army would have experienced one of its worst experiences in the coup at Shahid Nojeh Airbase. The Hezbollah of the army made a coup designed by four dishonorable and dependent military personnel a source of pride and honor for the army. The Hezbollahis of the army have a right to the army's existence. Honor Hezbollah.

In the war, that Hezbollah commander moved in such a way. In command, too, Hezbollah commanders—yesterday and today—have always tried and strived. In construction, too, it is the same. In any case, the army has a part of cutting economic dependence within itself, and that is technical and scientific dependence. Here it is not just economic dependence; it is also technical dependence; scientific and technical and so-called technological dependence. These dependencies must be cut. Of course, they are being cut, but cut them more. You must build! You must boil and make boil within the army! This is why I emphasize renovation, improvement, maintenance, repair, and innovation in the army. You also have the capacity. The Air Force has a lot of capacity. The Navy has a lot of capacity. The Ground Force has a lot of capacity. You have a lot of capacity for scientific, technical work, innovation, and creativity in various sectors. Never say that because we did not buy something, we do not have it. We did not buy a certain tool, better! We did not import certain new tools, better! If we had imported them, you would not have sweated for working in the form of renovation. If the gates are closed to us in some places, appreciate it. If the gates were open, the spirit of negligence and laziness would not let a person reach anywhere. A great motivation is needed to drive a person to strive in work. Those who constantly innovate do so because their scientific process has driven them to this movement, and then the work has become smooth for them. Moreover, they have money and world colonialism behind them. Today, Westerners have dominated the world through science. There is motivation for them. Countries that have been kept scientifically backward must create motivation within themselves for progress and movement. One of the factors creating motivation is that the paths are closed. We thank God that the paths are not completely open and are closed in some places.

But above this is 'cultural independence': the culture of independence, belief in independence, and faith. The important thing is to confront any kind of dependence. When a nation reaches this point, it has no problem.

And these days, the issues of 'elections' are also being discussed. I have repeatedly spoken about elections and said what needs to be said. All my emphasis on the issue of elections and choosing the best is because this country did not easily gain its independence. Let no one go to parliament whose receiver is waiting for the strong transmitter of America and the West! Let no one enter parliament who has set their antennas in that direction; whatever comes from there, they receive and broadcast and reflect in another language inside! All my concern is this.

Of course, this nation is awake. Some should not think that if someone could use goodwill or negligence among the crowd and throw themselves into parliament, they would gain immunity. Never is this the case. This aware and vigilant nation, which has given blood and suffered, if they see a dependent element has entered parliament, they will reach out and throw them out of parliament. This is why we emphasize religiosity so much.

My dear ones! Dependence results from religious indifference. Not that everyone who is not religious is dependent; no. After all, there are various motivations. But someone who is religious has an additional barrier to becoming dependent. This is very important. I have heard that some around the first stage of elections said, 'So-and-so—perhaps they did not even mention our name—or some others emphasize religiosity so much, what importance does it have? Specialists should enter parliament. Doctors and engineers should go to parliament and run the country!' This is a mistake. Not that specialists are not needed for parliament. Yes; specialists are needed for parliament. But we do not lack specialists today. My point is: O people of Iran! Among these engineers and doctors, among these specialists and experts, find the religious ones and choose them! Do not settle for mere claims. The person you want to choose must be religious. Once they are religious, then one feels reassured.

I observed in some election advertisements, in some places, that a certain election candidate did not even bother to publish a photo for advertisements that at least observed religious appearances! Well; such cases alert one to danger. That some think the time for these talks is over and today people are not after religion and clerics and beards and such, is a mistake. Today, too, people's trust is in religious individuals, religious representatives, and religious scholars. People trust and have confidence in them. It is also appropriate for them to have confidence in them. Because religion prevents dependence. When there is no religiosity, dependence becomes easy. Is it not dangerous for someone who raises slogans in their election advertisements that not only lack religious and revolutionary color and scent but are against religious, national, and revolutionary issues, to go to parliament?

Of course, we are very confident in the vigilance of our people. I am completely confident in the vigilance of our people. Our people are vigilant; but it does not mean that a cunning person will not be able to muddy the waters with various tricks and advertisements and fish in troubled waters. Despite the vigilance of the people, it is still possible for someone to muddy the waters with a kind of trickery and with a kind of advertisement and fish in troubled waters. Foreigners also fuel these issues and falsely divide the people of Iran. The divisions that foreigners make of the people are often contrary to reality and false. Some are 'right,' some are 'left,' some are 'traditional,' some are 'modern'... all these are irrelevant and nonsensical words that foreigners instill. Of course, some simple people inside do not mind saying we are part of such and such a group! They think it is an honor. No sir! Be part of the Iranian nation. Be part of the revolutionary masses. Be part of this religious-believing nation. The names of left and right and old and new and the like are myths. They have no reality. Because none of these groups they mention have presented any coherent thought. Group categorization is possible with the presentation of coherent thought. In the current conditions, what coherent thought do the existing groups have to claim that this has that difference with that! That this is modern, this is I don't know left, this is right! These are meaningless words. These are irrelevant words that foreigners and foreign propaganda present. Yes; there is an anti-revolutionary and anti-religious current. There is a claimed and dependent liberalism in our country. Not that it does not exist. There are those who, during the dominance of the corrupt and oppressive past regime, danced to the tune of that regime, cooperated with it, extended a hand of obedience and servitude to it, endured that situation, and did not speak up. (Now they were writers, poets, artists, journalists... whatever they were!) Then when the Islamic Republic came to power and reasonable freedom was given to everyone and people could freely express their thoughts and speak and write, they became lions for the Islamic Republic! Now, too, in dependent newspapers whose money comes from across the border and whose overall line is probably given from across the border, they accuse the Islamic Republic and fuel some minor differences in taste and engage in empty sloganizing. These exist. One must strongly avoid these. But the text of the nation is good. The text of the nation is religious. We hope that Almighty God will favor, and here too, people will be guided—as they have been guided so far—and realize what their duty is.

God willing, an independent, efficient, faithful, religious parliament will be formed, in which the nation can be assured that this parliament will follow the path of independence, the path of God, and the path of the revolution in the best way, and all the difficulties of the path of life will be smoothed; which, by God's will, will become smoother day by day. May God help the officials and those involved in these great tasks to advance the goals in the best way.

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