Message from the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces on the occasion of the 29th of Farvardin (18th April), the blessed birthday of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran
In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Indeed, Allah loves those who fight in His cause in a row as though they are a [single] structure joined firmly. (Quran 61:4)
I extend my congratulations on the anniversary of the formation of the popular and valiant Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The 29th of Farvardin (29th April) is the blessed anniversary of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It was designated as such through the wise initiative of the great Khomeini, may God have mercy on him. It is on such an occasion that I congratulate all members of the Army, their esteemed families, and the great nation of Iran.
The victory of the Islamic Revolution marks a dividing line between two periods in the Army's life. It should be regarded as the end of an era of weakness that had been imposed upon the Army and its brave and loyal soldiers by the enemies of this country and the hands of domestic traitors. From then on, 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. Truly, the Army is the child of the nation and arises from the hearts of the people's homes.
Soon, the Army stood up against the sinister plots of America, the remnants of the Pahlavi tyranny, and the separatists who wanted a disintegrated Iran, and it created epics.
The Army of Islam today, just as in the two previous imposed wars, bravely defends the waters, the territory and the flag to which it belongs. Relying on its strong divine and popular support and standing in compact, solid ranks, shoulder to shoulder with other fighters of the Armed Forces, it has locked horns with the two armies at the head of the front of disbelief and arrogance, revealing their weakness and humiliation before the eyes of the world. Just as its drones strike like lightning against American and Zionist criminals, its brave naval force stands ready to make the enemies taste the bitterness of new defeats.
The unique figure of our era, our great martyred leader, made the greatest effort to preserve and elevate the Army
On the other hand, the 29th of Farvardin is also the anniversary of the birth of a unique figure of our era, our great and noble martyred Leader, the one who, from the first decade of the Revolution, made the greatest effort to preserve the Army against the sinister calls for its dissolution, and then to enhance its capabilities in various areas.
Undoubtedly, the path of improving the many capabilities of this authentic people’s institution, which guards the country from east to west and from north to south, must be pursued with double effort. God willing, the necessary measures to achieve this will be issued in the near future.
On this path, we should pay attention to the heroes who, across successive generations of leadership over the last five decades, guided and led the Army, as well as their programs, actions, and noble and sincere principles, which will be instructive and inspiring for all branches of the Armed Forces. Many of them have joined the ranks of the martyrs, from great figures such as [General] Qarani, Fallahi, Namjou, Fakouri, Babaie, Sattari, Ardestani, and Sayyad Shirazi to the most recent famous martyrs, Seyyed Abdolrahim Mousavi, Aziz Nasirzadeh, and others.
May the peace and blessings of Almighty God be upon all the warriors of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, from its commanders and officers to its silent and unknown personnel and soldiers. And may the peace and blessings of Almighty God be upon all its dedicated veterans and those who are disabled, and may His special mercy be upon the honourable families of all the martyrs of the Imposed War by America and the Zionist regime against the great nation of Iran.
Peace be upon you, and the mercy of God, mercy and blessings.
Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei
29 Farvardin 1405 (18th April 2026)