On the occasion of Imam Hussein's (a.s.) birthday anniversary and Revolutionary Guard Day, Ayatollah Khamenei the Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Armed Forces met this morning with thousands of members and commanders of the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution (AGIR). Speaking at the meeting, he stressed: "All officials of the country should fulfill their heavy responsibilities in various arenas. They should be prepared to deal with all situations, just as they have been during the past 31 years."
His Eminence explained the spiritual structure of the AGIR and added: "Hearts yearning for jihad on the way of God, tongues that speak the truth, and vision that seeks truth and justice are the three main elements of the structure and identity of the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution."
The Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Armed Forces said that the AGIR originated from the heart of mosques, schools, and universities and from the homes and faithful hearts of the people. He further added: "Nobody created the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution. Rather, this organization was formed as a response to the requirements of time, and it responded to the needs of the country and the Revolution wherever it was needed."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that the AGIR has preserved its original structure and identity and has acted on the basis of the requirements of time. "During the early years of the Revolution, in its confrontation with anti-revolutionaries on the streets of Tehran, during the eight-year Sacred Defense Era, and in various other arenas, the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution preserved its original identity, but it changed its form on the basis of the requirements of time in order to be able to fulfill its responsibilities."
The Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Armed Forces stressed the need for preserving the original identity of the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution and described the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution as an "immaculate tree".
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that identifying today's realities and predicting tomorrow's conditions are the prerequisites for moving towards the goals. He further touched on the responsibilities of the commanders of the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution and added: "Preserving the spiritual structure of the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution in a perfect manner makes it possible to identify today's realities and to predict future developments. And this knowledge prepares the ground for appropriate plans and actions."
Ayatollah Khamenei compared the Islamic Revolution with the French Revolution and said that the French Revolution occurred in different inconsistent stages. "Unlike other political and social movements of the contemporary centuries, the Islamic Revolution is still moving on the path that was delineated by Islam and Imam Khomeini (r.a.). And this crucial reality is a sign that the Hand of God is with this Revolution."
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the comments made by American officials about the efforts to change Iran's behavior and reiterated: "The real meaning of these comments is that they are making efforts to change the path of the Islamic Revolution."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that the faithful hearts of the Iranian people are the manifestation of divine power and stressed: "The Iranian nation's love for Islam has made it possible for the Revolution to continue its original path. And this has built a great and impenetrable stronghold for the Islamic Revolution and the country. If this path is changed and Islam is lost, this stronghold will no longer exist and the bullies and aggressors will enter the country."
Ayatollah Khamenei described the advances made by the country as a reality and added: "According to global statistics, the rate of scientific progress and growth of the country is several times more than the average global rate of progress. Of course there is a long way to go before we reach where the advanced countries are, but we should not forget this glorious rate of progress."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution referred to political experience of the Iranian nation as another reality and added: "Our people, youth, and adolescents have gained good political experience out of the numerous events that have happened so far, and to a large extent they can fortunately understand the issues well. Even if they face a confusing situation, they quickly adjust their orientation after considering the realities. And this was completely clear during the fitna that happened in the year 1388."
Ayatollah Khamenei said that the true meaning of exporting the Revolution is exporting the ideology and the ideals of the Islamic Revolution.
He referred to the enthusiastic welcome extended to the officials of the Islamic Republic in different countries of the world and said that the hearts of the nations of the world are filled with the fragrance of Islam and the Islamic Revolution despite the efforts of the enemies. "And this is a reality which cannot be ignored," he noted.
Ayatollah Khamenei said that the anti-Revolution camp is still continuing its efforts against the Islamic Revolution and said that this is one of the realities of the Islamic Revolution.
His Eminence further touched on the non-stop yet unsuccessful efforts of the Zionist regime and the US to oppose the great movement of the Muslim Iranian nation, further adding: "The Islamic Revolution freed Iran - which enjoys a strategic position and numerous resources - from the clutches of the US and put an end to being humiliated by the global bullying powers. And it is due to this reason that they have continued their enmity and hatched plots against the Iranian nation during the past years."
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the US as a bullying power which is seeking to blackmail other nations of the world. "But the situation of the US is getting worse every day," he noted.
His Eminence further stated: "There are some people who give in to blackmail by this global bullying power in order to preserve their interests. There are some other people who are somewhat powerful but are reluctant to stand up to the US, and have turned into political and military henchmen of the US. But there are some people who stand up to such bullying. And the Islamic Republic is the front-runner of such confrontation thanks to the resistance of its people and officials."
Ayatollah Khamenei further touched on the increasing hatred of the nations of the world towards the US and referred to the claims made by the US after the disintegration of the Soviet Union and the Eastern Bloc.
He said: "At that time, the US government claimed to create a new world order under the leadership of the US. But today, the US officials are facing increasing protests and opposition in the world. And the amount of hatred towards the US is not reduced despite all the efforts made by the US."
The Leader of the Islamic referred to the failure of the US in Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, and Palestine and added: "Despite all their claims, the US and the Zionist regime have failed to overcome Hamas in the Gaza Strip. And this is a sign of an inevitable reality, namely the increasing weakness of the US."
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the recent UN resolution against Iran and the colorful remarks as well as sporadic military threats against the Islamic Republic, further adding: "They speak as though there is a great danger lying behind such threats. Of course, whether these threats are hollow or real, we should be ready to face all sorts of conditions in order to protect the Revolution, the dear Iranian nation, and our honorable country, Iran."
Ayatollah Khamenei further stated that the plans made by the US government are mostly political and added: "During the fitna which happened last year, Americans entered the scene immediately and supported the leaders of and those who were responsible for the fitna in an explicit and enthusiastic manner. But by Allah's favor, they were defeated thanks to the vigilance and resistance of the Iranian nation."
His Eminence further stated that it behooves all the officials active in cultural, political, economic, and social arenas to pay constant attention to domestic and international realities and reflect on the repercussions of the enemies' actions inside the country.
He further added: "Undoubtedly, the Iranian nation, the Islamic Republic and the Islamic Revolution will continue to win this battle because Allah has promised that ultimate victory belongs to those who are pious. And Allah's promise will undoubtedly be fulfilled."
Ayatollah Khamenei said that faith, piety, and good deeds will prepare the ground for achieving ultimate victory in the battle against the enemies of Islam and the Islamic Revolution and said: "These factors and elements have so far helped the Islamic Revolution remain stable and victorious in the face of all the plots and actions [of the enemies]. And this will be the case in the future as well."
At the end of his remarks, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that the massive propaganda of the enemies and their followers in the country against the AGIR is a sign of the influential role of the AGIR in the strong movement of the Iranian nation. He also urged the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution to increase their piety and sense of responsibility while carrying out the great duties which lie on their shoulders.