Defending the nation remains the Islamic Republic of Iran’s primary military objective. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei issued a formal statement on Saturday. The occasion marked the country’s annual Army Day. The message praised the army’s recent performance. It highlighted courage in a 40-day conflict. The leader called this a new imposed war, and he compared it to past battles. This commitment to defending the nation has guided all recent military planning.
The Iranian army faced a US-Israeli coalition. It fought to protect the land and water, and it also defended the national flag. Ayatollah Khamenei described dense military ranks. Soldiers stood shoulder to shoulder, and they worked with other armed forces units. Together they confronted two foreign armies. The message called those armies arrogant, and it said their weakness became visible worldwide. Defending the nation against such coalitions remains the army’s central duty.
Army Day falls on April 18, for this date honors the army’s formal establishment. The late founder of the Islamic Republic chose this day. Ayatollah Khamenei also serves as commander-in-chief. He noted that army drones strike quickly, for they target what he called criminal forces. The naval force also stands ready, and it can deliver new defeats to enemies.
The message congratulated all army personnel, and it also thanked their families. The Iranian nation received greetings too. Ayatollah Khamenei described the 1979 revolution as a turning point. Before that, the army suffered weakness. Enemies and internal traitors caused this decline. After the revolution, the army left the Pahlavi system, and it then found a rightful place. The Iranian people embraced it warmly, so the army gained new strength.
April 18 also marks a birth anniversary, for it honors a former leader who was martyred. That leader worked to preserve the army. Some voices had called for dissolving it, but he resisted those calls. He also boosted army capabilities. Ayatollah Khamenei now demands double effort, and he will issue new advancement measures soon.
The message paid tribute to past commanders, and many of them achieved martyrdom. The names included Qarani and Fallahi as well as Namjou, Fakouri, and Babaei. Others were Setari, Ardestani, and Sayyad Shirazi. Recent martyrs included Abdolrahim Mousavi and also Aziz Nasirzadeh. Both died in the recent 40-day war, yet their legacy continues.
The Iranian army mounted a full defense. It launched retaliatory strikes that hit enemy bases across the region. The army worked seamlessly with the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps. This combined force dealt severe damage to the adversary. Outside analysts view this coordination as a sign of new military strength. Therefore the army now holds a central place in national security. Future missions will expand drone and naval power. The leadership will not slow this push nor cut back on support.