In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Sayyid `Ali Khamene'i, the respected President of the Islamic Republic of Iran; General» ahir-Nejad, head of the Joint Chiefs of staff of the Islamic Republic of Iran's army; colonel `Ali Sayyad Shirazi, commander of the ground forces; Muhsin Rida'i commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,
" If you take the side of God, God will take your side and help you stand firm." «1»
I acknowledge the receipt of the respectable telegraphs of the good tidings of the victory of the armed forces over the satanic forces of American Saddam who promised victory by minds empty of faith in the unseen. Relying on machine guns, tanks and disregarding the power of God and God's army, leads people to perdition and disgrace.
Those who think that being occupied with MEGs «2» and Mirages «3» is the key to victory who do not take into account the omnipotent God, who talk about victory of Gadisiya «4» without understanding the key to the victory of Gadisiya and the early Muslims, and do not understand the power of having faith in martyrdom should face disgraceful defeat and God's punishment. They must learn from the victories of the early Muslims who defeated the devilish powers by their faith and blood. Iranian nation, the army, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Basij and other military and non-military forces struggle to preserve Islam and meet God. This is the difference between these dear ones and the deceived ones who fight in this war against Islam and the glorious Qur'an for the evil purposes of America. What I take pride in is the unique spirit, hearts full of faith, loyalty and martyrdom-seeking spirit of these dear ones who are the true soldiers of the great Imam of the Time (may our souls be sacrificed for him). This is the translation of the grand victory. Before I congratulate the great Iranian nation and the valiant commanders on the occasion of the great and proud victory of Khuzestan, let me felicitate them on having such warriors who have emerged triumphant in both spiritual and outward fronts.
I congratulate the beloved country of Iran and the honorable Iranian nation on having such fighters who love their God, on having soldiers whose ultimate end is their love of martyrdom, and on having self-sacrificing people whose main goal is to go in the way of God. It is a pride for the warriors whose prayers and supplications filled the war fronts with the fragrance of spirituality. How honorable are those youths who have taken a path and safeguarding a religion that is invincible and ever-victorious. Shame upon those who lose their lives and dignity in a path that is disgraceful whether they emerge victorious or suffer defeat.
I would like to express my appreciation to the respected commanders, our dear combatants of the military forces, army, Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Basij forces, gendarmerie, city police forces, the tribal forces, the irregular troops and the people. Salutations to you and to those who are a source of pride for the country. I pray to God to grant ultimate victory, health and happiness to the fighters of Islam.
May God's peace, mercy and blessings be upon you.
Rouhullah al-Mousawi al-Khomeini