This morning, in the ceremony honouring the veterans of the holy defence, Ayatollah Khamenei, the supreme leader of the Islamic Revolution, called the imposed war the result of the imperialist strategic policy of the dominating system in enmity with the Islamic Republic and the people of Iran and added: Despite the all-round support of the world powers to the ambitious and power-crazed Saddam, the war turned from a definite and significant threat into a great opportunity in the light of three elements: "the boiling power of the revolution, the very effective leadership of Imam Khomeini, and the noble and outstanding characteristics of the Iranian nation". The correct and accurate narration of this passionate and exciting chapter of Iran's history to the young generation will guarantee the continuation of the success of the revolution.
The Commander-in-Chief called the Holy Defence an exciting, meaningful and beneficial event for today and the future of the country and added with respect and devotion to the veterans of the Holy Defense: The veterans recognized the vital need of that period earlier than others and rushed to the eventful field of war, jihad and sacrifice to meet this need, so praising and respecting them is a definite and universal duty.
Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out that with the passage of time, the dimensions and facts of events such as the holy defence become more and better understood; he added: It should be in such a way that the knowledge and awareness of the "facts of the holy defence as a brilliant and influential moment" will continuously increase and the current generation will become aware of the facts and truths of that era. The efforts in this field are an earnest expectation from the veterans of the holy defence and the custodians of such issues.
Referring to the documents and pieces of evidence published about the war imposed by the West, he added: These confessions prove the truth of our words, which were once considered as claims and imaginary.
The Commander-in-Chief called the imposition of war on Iran a natural reaction of the world rulers to the victory of the Islamic Revolution and said: The revolution of the Iranian nation was not just the failure of a dependent and corrupt system and a partial blow to America and arrogance, but it was a threat to the imperialism of the domination system. Understanding the depth of this threat, the west and east arrogant powers imposed war on the Iranian nation through the encouragement and instigation of Saddam.
He considered the purpose of the imposed war to prevent the transmission of the message and new words of the Iranian nation to other nations that included not being afraid of America and standing up and resisting global oppression and discrimination and added: The emergence of an independent and inspiring political system, particularly in a country that was considered the point of hope, reliance and greed of America, was not at all tolerable for America and the rulers. Thus after the failed movements such as the coup, the attack on Tabas and the incitement of the ethnic groups, a full-scale war was imposed on the Iranian nation.
The commander-in-chief added: Of course, this universal attack was not foreseen in the minds of the revolutionaries, but it was not unexpected for the elements of the armed forces who were experienced and for prominent and independent personalities of the world.
In this context, the leader of the revolution referred to the words of the late president of Guinea, Ahmed Sékou Touré, in a private meeting with him and said: Mr Sékou Touré believed that the occurrence of an imposed war was inevitable because if imperialism cannot weaken or restrain a revolution, it will definitely impose a heavy war on it.
Ayatollah Khamenei, criticizing the words of those who irresponsibly hold Iran responsible for the imposed war and say that the sacred defence should have ended after the liberation of Khorramshahr, said: The incident at the end of the war, i.e., Saddam's advancement and attack after the acceptance of UN security council resolution 598 by Iran and after that, Mersad invasion, showed that if the defence had ended after the liberation of Khorramshahr, Saddam would have definitely advanced again, especially since many parts of dear Iran, at that time, was still occupied by the aggressors.
He listed the division of Iran and separating Khuzestan as an essential part of the country, the means to bring the nation to its knees, overthrowing the Islamic Republic and taking the fate of the Iranian nation's hands as the main goals of the vindictive imperialist through imposing war on Iran and said: these obvious facts should not be forgotten.
Ayatollah Khamenei considered the transformation of the 8-year war from a significant threat to a great opportunity as the second truth of holy defence and said: The boiling of the revolution, the decisive leadership of Imam Khomeini and the prominent and historical characteristics of the Iranian nation" were three essential elements and factors that established this exciting truth that needs thorough explanation, mainly because the opportunities created by the terrible threat of war is still unknown to most people.
The Commander-in-Chief listed teaching a lesson to other nations as one of the goals of global avarice from launching an imposed war and added: They wanted to completely close the open door of resistance by oppressing the Iranian nation, but the nation thwarted all the goals of the Arrogant Front and, contrary to the enemy's imagination, pulled itself up and created many opportunities.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution considered one of the achievements of the holy defence to be the resistance of the people, especially the people of Khuzestan and the Arabic speakers, and their indifference to the enemy's temptations to divide the country and said: Sacred defence also became the basis for the emergence of religious beliefs and the highest moral standards of the Iranian nation.
Referring to the occurrence of forgiveness, sacrifice and religious belief during the holy defence period, especially the sacrifice of the families of fighters and martyrs, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei added: During the period of holy defence, the whole country became the defence fortification of the fronts. The urban and rural areas, mosques, religious foundations, Islamic Seminaries (Hawzas), and universities were all in the service of defence and revolution.
He listed the unity and cohesion of the nation as one of the other achievements of the holy defence era. He noted: In the early years of the revolution, due to political differences at the top levels of the country and the divisive actions of the groups, the people were divided into groups, but the holy defence united them all.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution considered another achievement of sacred defence, which became the basis for turning threats into opportunities, the issue of the country's military authority and said: at the beginning of the imposed war, the situation of the country was not good from a military point of view, but on the one hand, the holy defence became a test of the army's loyalty to the holy system of the Islamic Republic, and on the other hand, it became the basis for the rise of the IRGC as a shining truth. The commander-in-chief emphasized that the authority of the armed forces made them popular among the people and created a sense of security for the country, adding: Of course, this point should be considered by the honourable commanders of the Military and the IRGC, that this popularity and authority will last as long as the forward movement of the armed forces continues with the same momentum as before and does not stop or turn back because any stoppage in front of the enemy's forward movement means turning back. On this basis, the military and state authorities should consider supporting the armed forces as one of their obligatory duties.
He emphasized: "Thanks to the grace of God, today the country has reached the stage of deterrence in terms of defence, and there is no concern about external threats known very well by the enemies.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution further pointed out an important point and said: Sometimes expressions such as the use of human waves are used in the case of sacred defence, while the focus of all movements and actions and operations in the eight years of war was planning and rationality. Innovative methods and approaches in various operations can be taught in military universities.
Ayatollah Khamenei considered the achievements of the Holy Defence to be an important principle for the Iranian nation and emphasized: During the holy defence era, it was proved that the country's protection and deterrence against enemy threats could only be achieved through resistance and not surrender.
He added: At the very beginning of the war, some people believed in surrender and raised this issue indirectly, but the Imam stood firm, and in the end, it was proved to the Iranian nation that victory, progress, and protection of the country could be achieved with resistance.
He added: At the very beginning of the war, there were people who believed in surrender and raised this issue indirectly, but the Imam stood firm, and in the end, it was proved to the Iranian nation that victory, progress, and protection of the country could be achieved with resistance.
Referring to the use of the principle of resistance in various political, economic and cultural issues, the leader of the Islamic Revolution noted: this intelligent resistance caused, firstly, internal assurance and self-confidence in political and cultural activists, and secondly, it taught the enemy to always take Iran's inner power into account in their calculations, because with this spirit, we were able to in many cases, such as extreme pressure policy, or the enemy's new Middle East plan or attack the air and sea borders, including shooting down the enemy's aggressor aircraft or seizing their trespassing vessels to thwart their plans.
He pointed to his repeated emphasis on the need for authentic narrations. He said: The activities that have been carried out in this field so far are suitable, but all of them are infrastructure, and the output of the work should be observed.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution emphasized that you can feel satisfied with your work in narrating the holy defence when high school and university students look at its issues with the same eyes as you look at the holy defence and have the same impression. Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that if this important affair happens, success in various fields will be certain in the future. He added: The presence of young people who went to the field to defend the shrine, some of which were martyred, was one of the effects of the authentic narration because these young people had not seen the holy defence.
Referring to the enemy's attempt to deny the heights and peaks of the holy defence and exaggeration of some possible weaknesses, the Commander-in-Chief said: With their large-scale "cultural, propaganda and media" work, they try to put a false glitter on arrogant powers faces for the youth and hide their bitterness and darkness. On the other hand, by hiding the strengths and achievements of the holy defence, they make people afraid of arrogant powers, resulting in fear of the enemy and low self-esteem in the political and cultural fields.
In the end, the leader of the Islamic revolution called it necessary to respond to the false and distorted narratives, defend the sacred and principles of the Islamic Revolution and added: Americans and Zionists are busy writing books and producing films in this field, which should be counteracted with the help of intellectual and people of art and appropriate acts.
In this meeting, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, referring to the holding of "the third nationwide celebration of one million veterans of the Holy Defence and Resistance", reported on the programs and activities carried out in the field of preserving and promoting the culture and values of the Holy Defense. At the beginning of this ceremony, which was accompanied by video communication with the centres of 31 provinces, Mr Sadegh Ahangaran mourned for a few minutes.