On the eve of the Islamic Republic Army Day, the Grand Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, visited Martyr-Sattari Air Force Academy on Sunday, April 17.
During the visit, which was made without prior notice and which took nearly four hours, the Leader inspected the academy's different colleges and facilities and was briefed by the instructors and students on various scientific and training activities that are carried out at the academy.
Inspecting the classrooms, specialist laboratories and training workshops of the colleges of electrical engineering, basic science, flight management, computer science, control and command, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces expressed pleasure over the great motivation and dynamism displayed by the cadets and their experienced instructors.
He told the cadets that studying at the academy bears great significance, since those who graduate from the academy use their knowledge and expertise to safeguard the Iranian sky and ensure comfort and peace of mind for the great Iranian nation.
Also, in an address to the instructors and students of Martyr-Sattari Air Force Academy, Ayatollah Khamenei described the purpose of his visit as honoring and paying tribute to the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the occasion of the Army Day.
Pointing to the fact that the academy's cadets are characterized by the special features of being students and military servicemen, the Leader of the Islamic Republic told the audience that an educated serviceman who is endowed with knowledge, expertise and experience enjoys a high status because of his scientific knowledge and activities and also because of his efforts to preserve the security and comfort of the nation.
Further in his statements, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces noted that the national identity of any country is delineated by the inclination to science and technology shown by that country's youngsters.
"Despite the scientific retardation that had been imposed on the Iranian nation during the years before the Islamic Revolution, Iranian youngsters have accomplished great scientific achievements over the past 26 years, thanks to the revolution and the self-confidence stemming from the revolution," the Leader pointed out.
He further told the audience, "The success of Iranian scientists in developing nuclear technology, obtaining advanced knowledge in the field of stem cells, manufacturing airplanes as well as the remarkable scientific achievements of our students in different Olympiads and international competitions are just instances of such accomplishments."
Ayatollah Khamenei also recalled the laudable and wonderful struggle of the past generation against the global system of domination and the overthrow of the former tyrannical Pahlavi regime without reliance on either the Eastern or the Western superpower of the time.
"The victory of the Islamic Revolution, which was a result of the deep faith of the Iranian nation, revived a sense of Islamic identity and awakening among other Muslim nations and threatened the domination exercised by the arrogant powers," he stressed.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces emphasized the point that the present generation should try to follow the path of the past generation with the same faith, awareness and vigilance.
"The United States and Zionists have left no stone unturned over the past 26 years to overthrow the Islamic Republic. Despite all the hostilities, the great Iranian nation has made considerable progress in various areas through resistance against different pressures. Today, our dynamic and high-spirited young generation will definitely continue to tread the same path," he stated.
Elsewhere in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic hinted at the deceptive and hypocritical slogans raised by the Untied States, on the one hand, and its dividing of the world's nations into first-rate and second-rate human beings, on the other hand.
"The policy that some humans should be dominated by other humans is doomed to failure, since mankind will stand up to this policy because of an intrinsic desire for justice," the Leader told the audience.
In conclusion, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces called on the cadets to try to further deepen their faith, seek proximity to Almighty Allah and increase their efforts to obtain knowledge and technology. He also expressed his gratitude to the academy's instructors and directors for their valuable services.
After the meeting, the cadets and staff members of the academy took part in the noon and afternoon prayers, which were led by Ayatollah Khamenei.
During the visit, the officials of Martyr-Sattari Air Force Academy presented some reports to the Leader, who offered some guidelines for the further improvement of the academy's scientific, cultural and training activities.