Message of commander-in-chief on the auspicious anniversary of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Army

Pars Today — His Eminence Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, the Commander-in-Chief, in a message congratulating Army Day to all army personnel, their esteemed families, and the great Iranian nation, stated that the victory of the Islamic Revolution marked the end of the era of forced weakness imposed on the army by the enemy. He also addressed the recent acts of bravery in defense of Iran's land, water, and flag.

According to Pars Today, the text of the message from His Eminence Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei on the occasion of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Army Day is as follows:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

"Indeed, Allah loves those who fight in His cause in a row as though they are a firmly joined structure." 

I extend my congratulations on the 29th of Farvardin, the auspicious anniversary of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Army — named as such through the wise initiative of the great Khomeini (God bless his soul) — to all army personnel, their esteemed families, and the great nation of Iran.

The victory of the Islamic Revolution marks a dividing line between two eras in the life of the army, and it should be regarded as the end of the period of forced weakness that was imposed upon the army and its brave, loyal soldiers by the enemies of this land and through the hands of internal traitors. From that point onward, the army stood in its rightful place. Instead of belonging to the tyrannical and corrupt Pahlavi regime, it found itself in the warm embrace of the nation — for indeed, the army is the child of the nation, emerging from the hearts of the people's homes. Soon after, the army stood against the sinister plots of America, the remnants of the Pahlavi tyranny, and the separatists who sought a disintegrated Iran, and it created epic feats.

The army of Islam, just as in the two previous imposed wars, is now courageously defending the land, water, and flag to which it belongs. Relying on its strong divine and popular support, in dense and solid ranks, shoulder to shoulder with other warriors of the Armed Forces, it has locked horns with the two armies at the forefront of the camp of unbelief and arrogance, exposing their weakness and humiliation before the eyes of the world. Just as its drones strike like lightning against the American and Zionist criminals, its brave naval forces stand ready to make the enemies taste the bitterness of new defeats.

On the other hand, the 29th of Farvardin is also the birth anniversary of the unique figure of our era, our great martyred leader — the one who made the greatest efforts from the first decade of the Revolution to preserve the army against the sinister whispers of its dissolution, and then to enhance its capabilities in various directions.

Undoubtedly, the path of progress in the various capabilities of this authentic popular institution, which guards the country from east to west and north to south, must be pursued with doubled effort, and with Allah's permission, the necessary measures for its realization will be issued in the near horizon.

Along this path, attention must be paid to the heroic figures who, across successive generations of leadership over the past five decades, guided and directed the army — many of whom have joined the ranks of the martyrs. Their programs and actions, as well as their noble and sincere principles, will be instructive and inspirational for all components of the Armed Forces. From great figures such as Qarani, Fallahi, Namjou, Fakouri, Babaei, Sattari, Ardestani, and Sayyad Shirazi, to the latest renowned martyrs, Seyyed Abdolrahim Mousavi and Aziz Nasirzadeh.

May the peace and blessings of Almighty Allah be upon all the warriors of the Islamic Republic of Iran's army, from its commanders and officers to its silent and unsung personnel and soldiers; may His peace and blessings be upon all its devoted veterans and disabled veterans; and may His special mercy be upon the esteemed families of all the martyrs of the imposed war waged by America and the Zionist regime against the great nation of Iran. And peace be upon you, along with Allah's mercy and blessings.

Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei

29 Farvardin, 1405 (April 18, 2026)