TEHRAN (IRNA) -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday that the armed forces are the strong arms of the nation.

The Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces said at a graduation ceremony at Shahid Sattari Air Force Academy that feeling security and peace of mind is pre-requisite for material and spiritual progress of every nation and thanks God the Iranian nation enjoys such a feeling owing to the vigilant and powerful military power.
The Supreme Leader paid tribute to late Commander of Air Force Major General Sattari who died in an air crash and martyred commanders of the armed forces who sacrificed their lives during eight-year imposed war (1980-1988).
Ayatollah Khamenei recommended the army personnel to follow the martyrs as their own model.
The Supreme Leader called for upgrading capacity of the army's academic centers and said that research studies, innovation, training and discipline should be upheld.
Ayatollah Khamenei advised the army personnel to develop faith and piety.
The Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces decorated graduates of the air force academy with epaulet and reviewed a parade by the cadets.