Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei Pays Tribute to Gen. Soleimani for His Efforts to Revitalize Resistance
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, has commended the sacrifices made by Iran’s prominent anti-terrorism commander, Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, describing them as "unique." General Soleimani was killed, along with his associates, in a 2020 US drone strike near Baghdad International Airport in Iraq.
The Leader, speaking on Wednesday, emphasized that Martyr Soleimani was consistently committed to reinvigorating the Resistance Front, highlighting his unwavering efforts to bolster the resistance movement.
Ayatollah Khamenei addressed a gathering of families of martyrs, veterans, and resistance activists in commemoration of the upcoming fifth anniversary of General Soleimani’s martyrdom, scheduled for January 3.
The Leader characterized the contributions of Iran’s highest-ranking military officer in the battle against terrorism as “unparalleled,” emphasizing that his sacrifices and service should be preserved and highlighted within the nation’s political education.
He emphasized that safeguarding the holy sites was a fundamental principle for Martyr Soleimani, who consistently referred to Iran as a “sacred shrine.”
In a recent statement, the Leader emphasized that the current existence of the sacred sites is a direct result of the sacrifices made in past conflicts. He specifically noted that the unwavering efforts and courage displayed by Hajj Qassem Soleimani in traversing the challenging terrain of mountains and deserts played a pivotal role in safeguarding these revered locations.
Ayatollah Khamenei highlighted a notable attribute of General Soleimani, emphasizing his ability to evaluate national challenges through a global lens, thereby eschewing a narrow and insular approach.
He maintained that every significant regional and global event influenced domestic issues, and from this viewpoint, he identified external threats and initiated measures to prevent and address them.
Highlighting recent developments and the defense of holy sites in Iraq, Syria, and throughout the region as evidence of the persistence of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei assured that the “truth front” will ultimately prevail.
In a statement, the spokesperson asserted that despite significant financial investments and efforts by adversaries, the spirit of resistance remains resilient and unwavering. The speaker emphasized that in regions such as Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Iraq, and Iran, the opposition has been unable to quash the enduring symbol of defiance.
Lebanon and Yemen serve as emblematic figures of resistance and are anticipated to achieve victory.
Addressing the situation in Syria, the Leader asserted that the U.S. military installations in the region would ultimately be overrun by the nation’s youth.
He emphasized that “Syria is the rightful domain of the Syrian people, and any foreign presence in Syrian territory will inevitably have to withdraw in response to the resolute strength of the courageous Syrian youth.”
On January 3, 2020, a drone strike conducted by the United States resulted in the deaths of General Qasem Soleimani, former leader of the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces, near Baghdad International Airport.
The two commanders received widespread admiration from Muslim nations for their successful efforts in dismantling the US-backed Daesh terrorist organization in the region, with significant achievements noted in Iraq and Syria.
The assassination carried out by the United States has sparked widespread international condemnation from various officials and global movements, instigating massive public protests throughout the region. In response to the attack, Iraqi lawmakers swiftly passed legislation just two days later, calling for the withdrawal of all foreign military forces under U.S. leadership from Iraq.
On January 8, 2020, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched a missile assault on the U.S.-operated Ain al-Asad Airbase in Iraq’s Anbar province. This action was a direct response to the killing of General Qasem Soleimani. The Pentagon reported that over 100 American service members incurred “traumatic brain injuries” as a result of the attack.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has accused Washington of employing misleading terminology to obscure the actual number of casualties among American forces during Iran’s retaliatory strike. Iran has characterized the missile assault on the Ain al-Assad base as merely a “first slap.”
