The Leader’s Message on Sacred Defense Week And Shaheed Nasrallah’s Martyrdom Anniversary

In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

“And verily We sent Moses with Our clear signs, [saying], ‘Bring your people out from the darkness into the Light, and remind them of the Days of Allah’” [Quran 14:05].

The opening days of the month of Mehr are a reminder of the Ayyam Allah (Days of Allah) and that monumental, eternal phenomenon: the 8-year valiant defense of the Iranian nation in the First Imposed War.

During those days, the warm radiance of the Revolutionary sun [of the Islamic Revolution], radiated a gratifying sense of national solidarity and devotion to the ideological school and ideals of revolutionary Islam throughout the entire expanse of Iran, melting away the ice of both classical colonialism and neo-colonialism, and hegemony.

During those days, some Iranians still remembered the hostility of the colonial powers, the events surrounding the nationalization of the oil industry, and the American-backed coup d’état of more than two decades earlier. Others had heard accounts of it, while many had experienced first-hand the brutal reality of what foreign domination over our nation’s affairs wrought upon the country.

Yet, the days preceding that era were dark and bleak, when ambassadors of the Arrogant Powers would dictate their demands and prohibitions to the Shah of Iran, and he would execute those demands – either willingly or reluctantly – until the magnificent Revolution of the Iranian nation (the Islamic Revolution), led by his eminence, the late Imam Khomeini (R), ripped that order apart.

Due to the [Islamic] Revolution, those dark days gave way to the brilliantly luminous days of the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

This development was deeply intolerable to the hegemonic powers whose greedy eyes were focused on the wealth of this land, and who had for years, inflicted all kinds of atrocities upon Iran’s people to claim those resources for themselves.

So, from that moment on, the hegemonic powers devoted all of their efforts to reversing the roaring surge of the revolutionary nation and make it go back to its former course; and the First Imposed War was their most significant undertaking during the first decade of the blessed existence of the Islamic Republic.

From within the heart of that war’s flames – which had been ignited by the Ba’ath party that was hostile [even] toward their own [Iraqi] people, and under the delusion of a conflict that would only take [a few] days and be a victory requiring little effort – the Islamic system rose up like a phoenix, more vigorous and stronger than before, and with a more resounding voice and a loftier flight. This became an enduring hallmark of this [Islamic] system in the subsequent events that were orchestrated by its enemies.

Those days when the enemy of this nation had imposed its puppets upon the [Iranian] people and enforced a new form of colonialism were transformed into days of glory, due to the blessing of the [Islamic] Revolution and the raising of the banner of Islam and Jihad in the midst of the Imposed War.

Today, even after 38 years from the end of that war, when we examine its events in close detail and listen to the truthful accounts of those who survived it, figures of exemplary stature emerge like brilliant stars in the firmament of our nation’s history; each one a model from whom lessons in worship, courage, resistance, morality, and humanity can be learned.

In those days, at the onset of the attacks by the agents of the hegemonic system, our country had inherited nothing from the Taghut regime (referring to the Pahlavi regime) to defend itself against a barrage of threats. But due to the blessing of upholding Haqq (the Truth) and through Allah’s assistance, those days have now given way to days in which the aggressive hegemonic powers themselves, and not merely their proxies, seek shelter from the attacks of Islam’s soldiers and plead for an end to the war.

Those days to which the enemy longs to return our country to, were days of backwardness, humiliation, dependency, and a tarnishing of Iran’s reputation in the Islamic World. In contrast, the days we live in today, are overflowing with progress, honor, independence, and an elevated level of reputability in the Islamic World and even across the whole of the world.

Today, there are those who regard us as the world’s fourth superpower. Of course, they say this based on worldly calculations. But according to divine calculations, a country that knows itself to be related to the pure Ahl al-Bayt (A) of the Messenger (S), the majority of whose population is devoted to those exalted figures, and who have no fear of upholding Haqq (the Truth), is [in reality,] the world’s foremost power.

In those days, the two seas to the south of Iran were a free-for-all playground for enemy forces. But today, because of the painful blows the enemy has suffered at the hands of our valiant soldiers and the guardians of the Strait of Hormuz, they dare not advance beyond the Arabian Sea. And whenever they have risked doing so, they themselves have suffered. And it won’t be long before the Arabian Sea rids itself of their presence as well.

There was a time when the hegemonic powers, through psychological warfare and by creating an atmosphere of fear, emptied the streets of the capital and staged a coup against this nation’s struggle for independence. After that, they plundered the wealth of this country for 25 years.

But these days, it is now seven months, our compatriots have adorned the public squares and streets throughout the country with their responsible and enthusiastic presence, warming the hearts of the soldiers of Islam while striking fear into the [hearts of the] enemy.

Likewise, over 30 million Iranians have declared their willingness to sacrifice their lives. And when they were called upon to reconfirm their readiness as part of a certain organizational effort, more than 500,000 people filled the requested capacity within the first 100 minutes alone. Today, throughout Islamic Iran, which is adorned with the presence of Iranians from multiple ethnic backgrounds, there are countless declarations of readiness and particularly a readiness for armed participation, creating an arena in which our people will gain honor and their enemy, disgrace.

There were days when the heroic spirit of the people of this land was recognized through its men. But today, we live in times where women have [even] surpassed men in some arenas with their courageous presence.

There were days when the enemy sought to continuously weaken the social bedrock of the system, but in these days, people from all walks of life, despite their obvious differences, stand resolutely in defending their righteous positions, including their determination to protect the bountiful and full of blessings, Strait of Hormuz.

This comparison between the days of the past and the days of the present can be further expanded upon, but in one word, this humble person, as a servant of the dearly esteemed people of Iran, declare that those days of the past, to which our enemy longs to return us to, have passed and will never be repeated.

Of course, I must recall with sorrow and grief that these days, the absence of Khomeini The Great (R) and Khamenei The Illustrious Martyr – may Allah elevate their noble stations – is felt incredibly deeply, for the country’s present honor owes a great debt to their leadership.

And yet, due to the invaluable treasure of their deeds, and radiant and guiding words left behind for their followers, the coming days will be vastly more glorious than these days of the present.

For the phoenix that arose from the ashes of the First Imposed War has now, under the pressure of enemy hostilities and particularly the two recent Imposed Wars, grown so majestic that the shadow of its flight now extends over the lands of the enemy as well.

On this occasion of the second anniversary of the martyrdom of the commander of the champions of the Arabs and the great symbol of the Resistance Front, the exalted martyr, his eminence Sayyid Hasan Nasrallah – may Allah exalt his pure soul – it is very befitting to remember his eminence.

He was a sincere well-wisher for his nation and his ideological school. His truthful and eloquent sermons, together with his courageous actions, strengthened the hearts of his people and, indeed, the hearts of the free people of the world.

He elevated the name of Lebanon, which is a small country that for years had become a backyard for certain [foreign] powers, to greatness. He was one, whose constant companions were victory and triumph. And without a doubt, no figure – after the Prophets (A) and their successors (A) – has ever arisen of his stature in that ancient land throughout the entire history of the Levant up until now.

And of course, today, Sayyid Hasan Nasrallah’s glorious banner is in the hands of his eminence Shaykh Naim Qasem – may Allah protect him – who courageously leads the resolute, Ashura-like ranks of Hezbollah, who continue on Sayyid Hasan Nasrallah’s path.

These current days in Lebanon – even now before the judgment of history – are outstanding and glorious days for Lebanon and all the Mujahideen of the Resistance.

These are days that [will] bring humiliation and ultimately, disgrace upon those who, when facing the Zionist enemy, pin their hopes on the false promises of the hegemonic powers and Lebanon’s ill-wishers. And unlike the Martyred Sayyid of the Resistance (Sayyid Hasan Nasrallah), and Sayyid Hashem Safieddine, and the current Mujahideen of the Resistance – who will continue to shine like radiant stars throughout time and will guide those who seek the way when lost in bewilderment – they will be swiftly buried and forgotten at the very first turn of history’s pages. And whenever they are recalled in the future, they will only be reminders of malice, imprudence, and perhaps even betrayal.

In conclusion, I am hopeful that, with the continued bestowal of divine grace and the special prayers of our Master [Imam al-Mahdi (A)] – may Allah hasten his noble reappearance and may our souls be sacrificed for him – the Iranian nation and all the allies of the Resistance will encounter only victory, triumph, and glory, while their enemies will only suffer defeat and humiliation, by Allah’s grace and through His bounty.

Sayyid Mojtaba Husayni Khamenei

Mehr 6, 1405
Sept. 28, 2026