Statements of the Supreme Leader at the Speech Ceremony in the '21st Hamzeh Division' Square

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

It is a source of satisfaction for me to meet all of you dear ones and the chosen youth of the Iranian nation, who are serving in the sacred attire of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran. We must consider the '21st Hamzeh Division of Azerbaijan' under divine grace and pray that it remains so, as it has faced very difficult tests during the war, and today, in its new location, God willing, it will add to its past honors. Also, the brothers of the 'Ashura Division' present in this field, as well as the brothers of the 'Second Tactical Air Base of Tabriz' and the law enforcement forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

What brings hope and encouragement to each member of the armed forces today is that all this blessed effort is employed in defense of a truth that is both oppressed and radiant. You are defending the independence of a nation that has proven its capability for independence. You are defending the borders and the greatness of a country that, throughout history, whenever corrupt powers were not in charge and had the opportunity, it was able to fulfill a great human mission in the world. Today, the armed forces are proud and dignified because they serve Islamic policies. There was a time when our armed forces were forced to serve American policies. This was a form of humiliation for the nation and a double humiliation for the armed forces.

May God's curse be upon those who forced our armed forces to obey American experts and foreign master-like advisors within the barracks and centers and offices of the armed forces! Today, in the armed forces of the Islamic Republic, faith and competence are the two criteria for advancement and value, and in this regard, there is no difference among the organizations of the armed forces. The field is open. The goal is very high, lofty, and great. This is a true defense of the lofty Islamic and human ideals. Anyone who serves in such a line is truly a Mojahed in the path of God and humanity.

Today, military powers are used for bullying. If you look around the world, you will clearly see this. The arsenals of various countries are used to suppress the sentiments of nations and Muslim groups or those with human ideals. Today, unfortunately, the highest technological advancements in military fields and their ancillary services, such as intelligence, are employed for corrupt and vile purposes. Look at the Zionist regime's army attacking the homes of the oppressed people of Lebanon, their villages, huts, and mosques! This is while they have usurped the land of Lebanon, and this is separate from the issue of Palestine. This is separate from the usurpation of Palestine.

In today's human convention, if young people take action to expel foreign soldiers from their land, is this action worthy of reproach?! If that invading force declares that it will continue its aggression against the people from whom these young people have arisen, is this declaration acceptable?! See how the powerful, arrogant world today, which remains silent in the face of the shameless behavior of the Zionists, is complicit in the crimes and sins of the Zionist regime! A similar situation is happening today in Europe in the Balkans. A similar situation is happening today on the borders between Afghanistan and Tajikistan and many other places. In this desert of the dominance of tyrannical values and wrong standards, if young people like you serve the sacred divine and human ideals, defend truth and justice, and uphold freedom and human dignity, is this not the greatest honor? Be proud, O army of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the law enforcement forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran! Be proud, O self-sacrificing youth! Be proud, O people who, in the sacred attire of the Basij, have always had sincere and honest cooperation with the armed forces of the Islamic Republic and have always been problem solvers! This is the right path. This is the straight path. This is the path of God. Although the propaganda covers of the imperialist propaganda empire try to cover our sacred name and effort with a conspiracy of silence and isolation, we are renowned in the world with these signs mentioned. We are the Iranian nation! We are the defenders of our legitimate independence and freedom and the defenders of Islamic values and the sovereignty of the Quran, and this is our greatest honor.

This division, in its new location, with this new environment that is completely worthy of its greatness and importance, is an operational division with honor. This is Tabriz! This is Azerbaijan! This is the center of sacrifice! This is the home of the 'Ashura Division'! The best point of deployment for a division with its active history in the battlefield, like the '21st Hamzeh Seyyed al-Shohada Division,' is this magnificent and honorable point. The suffix 'Azerbaijan' for the name of the 21st Hamzeh Division is an honorable suffix. Appreciate this! The two divisions of the army and the IRGC should have maximum cooperation and affection with each other. Treat the self-sacrificing people of this region with humility. Consider yourselves servants of the dear ideals for which they have sacrificed with all their being and quickly compensate for the shortages and deficiencies with your persistent efforts.

I hope that the experiences that exist in this division, which are also a valuable reserve, will quickly come into play and that it can build itself correctly, complete itself, and be ready for the necessary services expected of it at the right time in this new location.

I hope that the dear brothers of the army, the IRGC, and the law enforcement forces present in this field will have maximum cooperation and affection with each other at the provincial level; that they will truly observe readiness, training, maintenance, and assistance to each other. We hope they will be under the grace and mercy of the Imam of the Age (may our souls be sacrificed for him).

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings