Commemorative Ceremony Held for Celebrating the Holy Defense Week and the Soldiers’ Day

A ceremony titled “Commemoration of Soldier's Day and the Week of Holy Defense”, as reported by a report from the Center for Communications and International Relations, was held on Tuesday, October 24th at the Imam Khamenei Mosque (May His Shadow Last) at the National Defense University. The event gathered a distinguished assembly of veterans, commanders from the Holy Defense, and soldiers.

During the ceremony, Brigadier General Abdollah Araqi, the former deputy commander of the Army Ground Forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, stated that “the power of the faith of the Iranian nation was the primary factor behind our success in the Imposed War. We became so powerful that we manage to launch strikes against the enemy in any location”. Additionally, he remarked that “the Holy Defense has etched itself indelibly in history, and today, enemies of Islam and Iran seek to prevent the true events of this glorious era from being conveyed to the new generation.”

While honoring the memory of the martyrs of the Islamic Revolution and marking Sacred Defense Week, General Araqi stated that the concept of war is synonymous with human history, and from the moment human societies emerged—whether familial, tribal, rural, urban, or national—conflict has been an inherent aspect of human interactions throughout time.

General Araqi articulated that “war often stems from clashing interests, greed, and various economic, political, ideological, and religious factors, hense it being an unavoidable aspect of human existence”. He asserted that “One cannot avoid going to war, as certain situations may arise that force individuals or nations to take a stand and protect their own interests”.

The former deputy commander of the Army Ground Forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reflected on the era of the Imposed War, stating that “the magnificent Islamic Revolution had just achieved victory. During this critical time, the late Imam Khomeini, championing the slogan “Neither East nor West,” mobilized the people against tyranny, and dedicated citizens joined him empty handed. The Revolution succeeded because it aligned with the will and purpose of Almighty God, which was clearly articulated in the teachings and intentions of Imam Khomeini. Right after the triumph of the glorious Islamic Revolution, the adversaries of the Islamic Republic of Iran plunged us into internal strife and conflicts, denying the country a moment of peace. Had it not been for the leadership of Imam Khomeini, the country would undoubtedly have faced collapse”.

He underscored that “the power of the faith of the Iranian nation was the primary factor behind our success in the Imposed War”, stating that “the Holy Defense has etched itself indelibly in history, and today, enemies of Islam and Iran seek to prevent the true events of this glorious era from being conveyed to the new generation.”

He emphasized that “the commanders from the Holy Defense era serve as models for today’s youth” and added that, “Today, thanks to the blessing of the Islamic Revolution, adversaries no longer have the audacity to look daggers at our nation, and we became so powerful that we manage to launch strikes against the enemy in any location”.