WANA (Jan 01) – In a speech highlighting the construction of successive U.S. bases in Syria, Iran’s Supreme Leader stated, “An aggressor must leave the land that belongs to a nation, or they will be expelled. Therefore, U.S. bases will undoubtedly be trampled underfoot by the Syrian youth.”

 

This morning, in a meeting with the family of General Qassem Soleimani and a group of families of the “Martyrs of the Defenders of the Shrine” and “Resistance Martyrs,” the Supreme Leader commemorated the fifth anniversary of Soleimani’s assassination. He described Soleimani’s defining characteristic as his unwavering dedication to reviving the Resistance Front.

 

Emphasizing the eventual victory of the Syrian people over occupiers and the continued resistance in Yemen, Palestine, and Lebanon, the Leader honored the martyrs of the shrine defenders, stating, “Soleimani considered Iran itself a shrine, and without the pure blood of these martyrs, neither our sanctities nor the sacred shrines would exist today.”

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei meeting with the late General Soleimani’s family and the families of “Defenders of the Shrine” and “resistance martyrs” on January 01, 2025. Social media/ WANA News Agency

The Supreme Leader highlighted the defeat of the U.S.-backed ISIS as one of the outcomes of Soleimani’s timely and decisive actions. He said, “Iraqi youth shone brilliantly in the fight against Takfiri terrorism, but in neutralizing that conspiracy—on which the survival of the region depended—Soleimani played an unparalleled role with his ingenuity, courage, and selflessness.”

 

He described the defense of sacred sites as a constant principle of Soleimani’s jihad and struggle, noting, “Soleimani defended Iran as a shrine, embodying a critical and necessary logic of protecting sacred spaces.”

 

Touching on the sacrifices made in defense of holy shrines, the Supreme Leader dismissed claims that such efforts were wasted due to recent regional developments. “Such perceptions stem from a lack of understanding and proper analysis. If it were not for the courageous fight of Soleimani and the shrine defenders, today there would be no news of sacred places like Zainabiyah, Karbala, or Najaf,” he said.

 

He recounted a period of neglect in Samarra, where Takfiri forces, with U.S. support, destroyed the dome and shrine of Imam Al-Askari. “If it were not for the self-sacrificing youth, other sacred shrines and the hearts of Muslims would have faced a similarly tragic fate. But the proud shrine defenders stood firm and dealt a severe blow to the enemy.”

The Supreme Leader underlined that defending the shrine is not merely about protecting a sacred site but also about defending its values and the teachings of the revered Imams. “In Quranic culture, any blood shed for the cause of righteousness and God, even without an apparent victory, is never wasted and holds immense value before God,” he stated.

 

He declared the continued occupation of Syria by aggressors unsustainable, asserting, “Syria belongs to its people, and those encroaching on its land will undoubtedly be forced to retreat by the might of the brave Syrian youth.”

 

Reiterating the ultimate triumph of the faithful, the Leader remarked, “Lebanon is a symbol of resistance. Though it has suffered, it has not bowed and will ultimately prevail. Yemen, too, stands as a symbol of resistance and will be victorious. By God’s will, the aggressors, especially the greedy and criminal America, will be forced to abandon the region in disgrace.”

 

Attendees at the gathering included Soleimani’s family, families of shrine defender “martyrs”, relatives of victims of the terrorist attack at the cemetery in Kerman, families of those killed during Soleimani’s funeral in 2019, and families of the injured and killed of recent incidents in Lebanon.

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei meeting with the late General Soleimani’s family and the families of “Defenders of the Shrine” and “resistance martyrs” on January 01, 2025. Social media/ WANA News Agency