Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, on Wednesday attended a commencement ceremony for graduates of Imam Hussein Military Academy. The event was held ahead of the birthday of the third Shia Imam, Imam Hussein, observed as Guardsman Day, this year falling on May 22, and the May 24 anniversary of the liberation of the southern Iranian city of Khorramshahr from the Iraqi occupation in 1982.
Upon his arrival at the premises, Ayatollah Khamenei visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and paid tribute to the martyrs of the Sacred Defense (the Iraqi imposed war on Iran, 1980-1988) by reciting prayers.
The commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces then reviewed the guard of honor. Ayatollah Khamenei also greeted disabled war veterans present there.
In his remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei referred to “Modern Islamic Discourse” and “Discourse of Paganism” as the two main discourses of today’s world and highlighted the impossibility of any proximity and reconciliation between these two discourses.
Referring to new excessive demands in the nuclear talks, including a request to inspect military sites and interview Iranian scientists, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “Such permission will not be given at all and the enemies should know that the Iranian nation and officials will by no means back down in the face of excessive demands and bullying.”
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the news about efforts under way by the ill-wishers of the Iranian nation and some officials of the Persian Gulf Arab states to spread proxy wars to Iranian borders, saying: “If such a mischief occurs, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s reaction will be very tough.”
The Supreme Leader underscored the significance of innovation in all affairs and highlighting that innovation could be seen in the ceremony held at Imam Hussein Military Academy, said: “Superficiality should be avoided in all affairs.”
Noting that the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) is a pure tree which has reached an acceptable level of capabilities and progress and intellectual and practical maturity, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “The Imam Hussein University (military academy) is a sign of evolution and progress of the IRGC.”
He said the Imam Hussein Military Academy was established following important military operations during Sacred Defense and the struggles and sacrifices of IRGC veterans. “Today, the flag of the movement of the great Islamic Revolution, which is the flag of modern Islamic discourse, is in your hands and you have to carry it full steam ahead like your predecessors,” he said.
The Supreme Leader said the flag of modern Islamic discourse is a beacon of guidance for mankind to achieve happiness and is highly attractive for the youth around the world, adding: “This honorable move started under the leadership of our venerable late Imam [Khomeini] and the Iranian nation safeguarded this move by making sacrifices and raising this flag.”
Referring to the “discourse of paganism,” Ayatollah Khamenei said: “Today’s discourse of paganism is a cruel, bullying, arrogant and selfish discourse [developed] by hegemonic powers in the world. It stands against Islamic discourse which favors justice, freedom of mankind, abrogation of exploitation and colonialism and obliteration of the hegemonic system.”
Stressing that the nations will be able to tell these two discourses apart and they will recognize the hypocritical approach of the discourse of paganism, disguised in human rights and non-violence, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “The possibility of reconciliation and proximity between these two discourses will never come up because one discourse is devoted to oppression and hostility against nations while the other discourse favors supporting the oppressed and confronting the oppressors.”
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the enemies’ propaganda to create the impression that the Islamic Republic of Iran is isolated, saying: “The Islamic establishment has been in the heart of nations from the very beginning and a clear indication is that people in different countries have shown interest in the presidents of Iran over the past 36 years.”
The Supreme Leader said the Iranian nation is referred to as a reputable and honorable nation by other nations and even independent and just politicians and free-spirited people in the world. He added: “Those are isolated who can attract a handful of people only through force and dollars.”
Noting that the Iranian nation has achieved its dignity through Islam and Islamic ideals and movements, Ayatollah Khamenei referred to some challenges facing the Islamic establishment and said: “We have no fear for these challenges because the existence of challenges indicates dynamism, activity and a forward-moving drive.”
The Supreme Leader said: “The Iranian nation will weather these challenges with determination and self-confidence and by trusting in God.”
Ayatollah Khamenei said one of these challenges is excessive demands by the Western party to negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program. He said: “The enemies still don’t know the Iranian nation and officials well and that is why they keep bullying. This nation and the government, which has emerged from within this very nation, will never bow to bullying.”
The Supreme Leader stressed that the more Iran backs off vis-à-vis bullying by the opposite party, the more they will step forward. He said: “In the face of these excessive demands, a fortified wall of national determination, confidence and might must be erected.”
The Supreme Leader said one example of excessive demands by the opposite party to the nuclear talks is its request to inspect military sites and interview Iranian scientists and researchers. “As it has already been said, no permission will be given to them for inspecting any of the military sites as well as for interviewing nuclear scientists and [scientists in] other sensitive disciplines and encroaching upon their privacy,” he said.
“I will not allow foreigners to come and speak with prominent and dear scientists and children of this nation and interrogate them,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.
Noting that no wise nation and government would authorize such a thing, he said: “The brazen and impudent enemy expects us to let them have a dialog with our scientists and researchers about a major national breakthrough; but this will not be allowed by any means.”
“The enemies of the Islamic establishment and all those who are waiting for the establishment’s decision easily understand this issue,” he added.
Ayatollah Khamenei said: “The country’s esteemed officials, who are moving courageously in this field, should know that the only way to stand up to the impudent enemy is firm determination and lack of passivity.”
The Supreme Leader said: “Officials and negotiators should prove the message of the Iranian nation’s grandeur during the talks.”
Ayatollah Khamenei said all Iranian officials have taken office under the aegis of the Islamic Revolution, adding: “We are all dedicated to serving people and we are obliged to stand against bullying, impudence, inappropriate expectations and conspiracies with full firmness.”
Ayatollah Khamenei also referred to some news regarding joint efforts by enemies and some silly officials in the Persian Gulf region to spread proxy wars to Iranian borders, saying: “The guardians of the Islamic Revolution and all guardians of national security in the Armed Forces are vigilant and on alert. If any mischief occurs, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s reaction will be very tough.”
Emphasizing that the Iranian nation will hopefully keep moving towards its bright horizons, the Supreme Leader said: “Moving towards lofty ideals will definitely have costs and throughout history, only nations have been decorated with a plaque of merit that have refused to buckle under challenges and have shown firm determination and national might in the face of any hard or soft invasion.”
The Supreme Leader said the Iranian nation is among such nations and, concluding his remarks, he expressed hope that the Iranian youth and the younger generation would shoulder the heavy responsibility assigned to them by the previous generation more effectively and more firmly than ever.
During the ceremony, IRGC Chief Major General Mohammad-Ali Jafari said the objective behind upgrading the level of all-out readiness of the IRGC is to defend the Islamic Revolution and its achievements. He said: “Having understood the circumstances of the Islamic Revolution and the confrontation between the two fronts of the oppressed and the arrogant, the IRGC is looking to bolster its strength on a daily basis by relying on spirituality, faith, reason and intelligence, to benefit from defense and security technologies and upgrade tactics of asymmetric warfare.”
Noting that bravery is a requirement for revolutionary guards, the general said: “Safeguarding the Islamic Revolution against enemies is backed by the shine of our swords and the power of faith and technologies which are a counterbalance posing fear and danger to the enemies.”
The IRGC chief said the enemies are more familiar with the language of arms and “we intend to encounter them using the same language.” “The IRGC uses its weapon for establishing justice and fighting injustice.”
Rear Admiral Morteza Saffari, the head of the Imam Hussein Military Academy, also presented a report on the scientific and cultural activities of the academy.
During the ceremony, two military commanders, two professors and researchers and the representative of the alumni as well asexemplary students of the Imam Hussein Military Academy were awarded by Ayatollah Khamenei. The representative of the cadets was also awarded with epaulettes.
The implementation of the “Pure Tree” plan was among the programs at the graduation ceremony.
The military cadets also performed the self-confidence combat show.
The military units present there paraded in front of the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces.