The Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Armed Forces Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei received the chief commander and a group of senior commanders of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Army on Tuesday, April 17.
Speaking at the meeting, which was held on the eve of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Army Day, the Leader congratulated the audience and all the army servicemen and their families on the Iranian Army Day and described the day as an auspicious occasion.
Ayatollah Khamenei stated that following the victory of the Islamic Revolution, the identity of the army changed into a religious and revolutionary identity, and he referred to this change as a great development.
"The former regime, which was supported by the United States and other powers, made every attempt to establish an army with a non-religious and antipublic identity. However, after the Islamic Revolution's victory because of the efforts that were made by the dedicated, revolutionary and propublic army servicemen, the army acquired a religious and revolutionary identity," Ayatollah Khamenei noted.
Further in his statements, the Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Armed Forces pointed out that the cooperation on the part of the competent and brave and devoted servicemen early after the revolution's victory and the suitable ground that was prepared by the Islamic Republic for the progress of revolutionary and propublic forces were the two major factors which helped to change the army's identity.
"The change of the army's identity resulted in the development of talents and the training of competent commanders such as martyr General Fallahi, martyr General Sayyad-Shirazi, martyr General Sattari, martyr General Baba'i and the late General Zahirnejad," Ayatollah Khamenei told the audience.
The Leader of the Islamic Republic added that these religious and revolutionary army commanders, in cooperation with the dedicated and prudent army servicemen, set the stage for the self-sufficiency, creativity, flourishing of new talents and increasing progress of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Army.
Ayatollah Khamenei also stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran's Army along with the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps and the Basij volunteer force managed to achieve victory over the fully equipped Iraqi army, despite the fact that the Ba'thist Iraqi regime was widely supported by the major powers of the time.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Armed Forces stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran is a new system that relies on religion in establishing its political and social order. He added that the Islamic system, which is a religious democracy and which is anti-domination and opposed to global arrogance by nature, has attained a high status among Muslims, especially among the intellectuals and elites of the Islamic world.
Referring to the fact that the great powers of the world have been forced to accept the reality of the Islamic system, the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran further stated that this religious system is mainly characterized by its ability to help individuals fulfill their potential and display their creativity and initiative.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran's Army, which is much stronger today in terms of equipment, experience and personnel compared with the early years after the revolution's victory and in comparison with the Sacred Defense era, should try to preserve its complete preparedness, lay the groundwork for the training of faithful and talented servicemen and make greater efforts in the field of innovation and initiative," Ayatollah Khamenei advised the audience.
In conclusion, the Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Armed Forces stressed that the Islamic Republic of Iran's Army should further try to access modern sciences. He also noted that the necessary ground should be prepared for the manufacture of required advanced equipment by utilizing domestic talents and capabilities.
At the meeting, the Chief Commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Army Major General Ata'ollah Salehi presented a report on the great capabilities of the army's three forces and their preparedness to defend the country's land, sea and air borders.
He said that religious spirit, revolutionary fervor, combat preparedness and self-confidence are among the major factors that have helped the Islamic Republic of Iran's Army to reach the high summit of power at the present time.