Statement by Lieutenant General Rahim Safavi

According to the Center for Communications and International Relations of the Supreme National Defense University, a commemorative ceremony for May 24, the anniversary of the liberation of Khorramshahr, was held at the university's mosque.

Lieutenant General Rahim Safavi, addressing the faculty, students, and staff of the university, elaborated on the operation for the liberation of Khorramshahr. He noted that the Iraqis were certain that after Operation Fath ol-Mobin, we would move to liberate Khorramshahr, so there was no element of surprise for them. However, we managed to surprise the Iraqis in two aspects: one was the timing of the operation, and the other was the tactics used during the operation.

It is truly remarkable that just one month after the major Operation Fath ol-Mobin, Iran was prepared and executed the next operation swiftly. However, it is important to emphasize that the key to the success of this operation was the unity between the Army and the IRGC.

He reminisced about the memories of the martyrs and commanders of the Army and the IRGC, including Martyr General Seyyed Shirazi and Martyr Bakri, as well as other martyrs and commanders involved in the liberation of Khorramshahr. He added, "We, the armed forces, remain and will remain loyal to our pledge and commitment to our homeland, Islamic Iran, and Islam, while supporting the resistance front."

He continued, stating that with the liberation of Khorramshahr, Iraq suffered a strategic defeat, as its primary objective at the outset of the war was to seize Khorramshahr, Abadan, and gain control over the Arvand River.

He noted the vastness of the operation area, stating that over 8,000 square kilometers of occupied territories were liberated within nine months through four consecutive operations. After listing the participating units from the Army and the IRGC and explaining the operational axes, he shared memories from these operations.

At the end of the ceremony, Major General Dr. Ismail Ahmadi Moghadam, President of the Supreme National Defense University, along with Major General Rahim Safavi and the faculty, students, and staff, honored the memory of the martyrs of Operation Beit al-Muqaddas by laying flowers and reciting Fatiha at the graves of the unknown martyrs.