The Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Khamenei met today with a group of personnel and commanders of the Iranian Army's Air Force. In this meeting, Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the great progress which the Iranian nation has made during the past thirty years and said that such progress is the result of faith, preserving national self-confidence, and scientific as well as practical efforts on the part of the Iranian nation.
Ayatollah Khamenei further added: "The strong and enthusiastic presence of the Iranian nation in the demonstrations marking the victory of the Islamic Revolution is a symbolic representation of the Iranian nation's resistance and determination to pursue the goals of the Islamic Revolution. And this year's demonstrations will by Allah's favor turn into another scene of great national presence."
In this meeting which was held on the occasion of the historic meeting of the Air Force personnel with Imam Khomeini (r.a.) on February 8, 1979, the commander in chief of the Iranian Armed Forces described the meeting as a historic event which was rooted in sincerity, solid determination, and a true understanding of the developments of the time.
He further added: "The personnel of the Iranian Army's Air Force proved their loyalty to the nation on February 8, 1979 and this event represented the true nature of the Iranian Army's Air Force."
Ayatollah Khamenei said that it is vital to achieve a true understanding of regional developments and reiterated that the Islamic Revolution brought about great transformations.
His Eminence further referred to the transformations caused in the Iranian society, the Islamic Ummah, and the world's political equations as three major transformations which were rooted in the victory of the Islamic Revolution and added: "The Islamic Revolution turned the Iranian nation into a free, determined, honorable, and influential nation."
Ayatollah Khamenei further referred to the decisive role of the Islamic Republic in the region and said that this is a fact which is acknowledged by the enemies of the Islamic Republic as well.
He also said that the current situation of the Islamic Republic is not comparable to that of the pre-Revolution era.
His Eminence further added: "Some of the superpowers do not yet accept these great changes. However, none of the world's powers can dominate or stand against a nation which realizes the importance of determination and which acts and decides in a determined manner."
Elsewhere in his speech, Ayatollah Khamenei described the challenges lying ahead for the Islamic Republic in its battle against the world's superpowers and said: "During the past thirty years, the world's superpowers have hatched various plots to re-establish their harsh rule over the Iranian nation, but the nation has foiled their plots by showing great resistance and determination. And the Iranian nation will never yield to the domination of the world's superpowers."
His Eminence further reiterated: "Amidst all the sanctions which were imposed for consecutive years on the Iranian nation, the first Iranian satellite was launched into space. And the Iranian nation managed to develop the technology to enrich uranium - possessed only by a few powerful countries - despite all the hardships which were imposed by the enemies."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution also said that these sanctions and threats are no longer useful, because the Iranian nation has found the right path and will continue to follow the path of progress by relying on its solid determination and deep faith.
Elsewhere in his speech, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution paid tribute to Imam Khomeini (r.a.) and the martyrs of the Iranian Army and Air Force as well as the martyrs of the other armed units.
His Eminence further described the Air Force as a determined and innovative unit which has made great progress and reiterated that the Air Force has always been among the most prominent units of the Islamic Republic's Army in different circumstances, particularly during the Sacred Defense Era.