Ayatollah Khamenei: Armed Forces Are Iran's Shield, Stresses Importance of Maximum Readiness
In a meeting with senior Iranian military leaders and officials on the occasion of the new solar Hijri year, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei stressed that the armed forces are 'the fortress of the nation and the refuge of the people against any aggressor.'
The leader emphasized the need for the armed forces to 'maintain maximum readiness at all times' and to remain vigilant both in terms of military capabilities and strategic preparedness. His eminence acknowledged that while there are areas of weakness, such as the economy, efforts must be made to address them.
Ayatollah Khamenei underlined that military readiness extends beyond just weaponry and logistics; it also includes the 'programmatic readiness'—the faith in the cause, belief in the mission, and confidence in the righteousness of the path. He pointed out that external forces are actively working to weaken and distort this dimension of readiness.
Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says that the country's advancements have angered the enemy, urging the armed forces for maximum preparedness in both hardware and software aspects. pic.twitter.com/yhirmvJ2xY
— Mehr News Agency (@MehrnewsCom) April 13, 2025
Islamic Identity and Independence
The Supreme Leader highlighted that the Islamic identity and independence of the Iranian system are central factors in provoking the animosity of adversaries. 'It is not the name of the Islamic Republic that angers them, but the will of a nation that desires to be Muslim, independent, and self-sufficient, without relying on others for its dignity.'
Double Standards of Global Powers
Ayatollah Khamenei denounced the hypocrisy of global powers that permit themselves to possess the world's most lethal weapons while labeling the defensive advancements of others as illegitimate.
'Certainty, faith, willpower, courage, and reliance on God are indispensable qualities for any armed force—because even the mightiest armies in history have fallen when lacking these virtues,' his eminence added.
New Year Greetings and Acknowledgment of Military Families
The Supreme Leader extended his congratulations to all members of the armed forces and their families on the occasion of the new year, expressing deep appreciation for the crucial role that military families play.
General Baqeri's Address: Advancing Defensive and Diplomatic Efforts
In the opening remarks, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, reflected on the events of 1403 (2024) in Iran and the region, praising 'the global awakening on the Palestinian issue and the historic resistance of the people of Gaza and Lebanon against Zionist atrocities.' He also honored the martyrs and leaders of the resistance.
General Bagheri emphasized that the armed forces' efforts to strengthen defense capabilities, produce advanced weapons, conduct high-level maneuvers, and coordinate with both the military and diplomatic sectors are integral to the country's progress and stability.
He concluded by thanking the president for his support of the defense sector, reaffirming that the armed forces, with popular backing, are fully prepared to thwart the enemies' malicious objectives.
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