Mojtaba Khamenei hails fallen IRGC, Hezbollah commanders; calls US, Israel ‘most obstinate enemies’ of Islamic world
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Wednesday honored fallen commanders of Hezbollah and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, calling their deaths a testament to the resistance movement’s struggle against the United States and Israel, as the conflict in West Asia entered its second month.In a series of posts shared on the account purportedly attributed to Khamenei, he remembered senior Hezbollah and Iranian military figures, including Hassan Nasrallah, Hashem Safieddine and Qasem Soleimani, while praising what he described as their role in the resistance movement.He wrote on X, “Before any of the other fighters, the commanders of the Resistance offered their lives on this path, from Martyr Sheikh #Ragheb_Harb and #Sayyid_Abbas_Mousavi to the Master of the Martyrs of the Resistance, #Sayyid_Hassan_Nasrallah, and #Sayyid_Hashem_Safieddine.”In another post, he said, “The sacrifices of precious martyrs such as Haj Qasem Soleimani and other senior commanders of IRGC and the Army stand as the greatest testament to the correctness of the path of resistance against the US and the Zionist regime.”He also said, “Without a doubt, steadfastness and patience in the face of the most obstinate enemies of the Islamic world — namely the United States and its proxy in the region, the brutal Zionist regime — were some of the most outstanding characteristics of the martyred Leader and Imam.”Referring to the wider history of the movement, Khamenei added, “The history of the Islamic Resistance has been filled with struggle, courage, and the pursuit of martyrdom.”Earlier this week, Khamenei also reiterated Iran’s support for resistance movements in a message addressed to Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem, according to Iranian state media and other reports.According to those reports, the message reaffirmed that the Islamic Republic’s policy remains rooted in “ongoing support for the resistance against the Zionist and American adversary”, while also describing the current phase as a critical moment for the movement.Khamenei said the policy follows the path laid down by the late Iranian leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and Hezbollah’s former chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.He also stressed that “standing firm and steadfast in the face of the fiercest enemies of the Islamic Ummah (Nation), namely the United States and the Zionist regime, was among the most outstanding characteristics of the martyred Imam,” referring to his predecessor.According to Press TV, as cited by ANI, Khamenei also thanked Qassem for his condolence message following the death of the former Iranian leader and acknowledged the support expressed by Hezbollah fighters towards Iran.Calling the current moment “sensitive” for the resistance, Khamenei said Hezbollah’s chief “bears the responsibility of leading the movement.”US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (local time) claimed that Iran had approached the United States for ceasefire negotiations, but said such a move would only be considered once the Strait of Hormuz is opened. Iran later denied the claim, with Iranian media and international reports saying Tehran called the remarks false and baseless.
