WANA (Jul 26) – The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Khamenei, has issued a message in response to a letter from Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem and the movement’s commanders and fighters, declaring that defending Hezbollah’s fighters is a strategic policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. He also stated that preserving Lebanon’s territorial integrity and achieving the complete and unconditional end of Israeli aggression constitute the first condition of the ceasefire agreement aimed at ending what he described as the imposed war with the United States.

 

In his message addressed to Hezbollah’s Secretary-General, commanders, and fighters, the Supreme Leader praised the group’s steadfastness and resistance, describing its struggle as a source of inspiration for free nations around the world.

 

The full text of the message is as follows:

 

In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

 

“O you who have believed, fight those disbelievers who are near to you, and let them find firmness in you…”

 

To Hojjat al-Islam Sheikh Naim Qassem, may God protect him, Secretary-General of Hezbollah in Lebanon, and to all the devoted, patient, and steadfast commanders and fighters of Hezbollah.

 

Peace be upon you all, and the mercy and blessings of God.

 

Your letter, my brothers and sons, the faithful and courageous fighters of the proud Hezbollah, carrying the message of perseverance and steadfastness in the cause of exalting the word of God, faith in the promises of the Holy Qur’an, and commitment to the honorable ideals of Imam Khomeini and the martyred leader, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, deserves the highest appreciation and respect.

 

Today, as the nations of the world have grown weary of the oppression and injustice of the United States and the criminal Zionists who destroy lives and livelihoods, there remains no path but jihad and resistance. Perseverance on this path will bring God’s promised victory to those who struggle in the cause of truth: “And it is incumbent upon Us to grant victory to the believers.”

 

At a time when Hezbollah stands as the vanguard of the resistance groups against the brutal assault of Israel and its supporters, its steadfastness has become an inspiring message for free nations seeking liberation from the oppression of global arrogance and its proxies. Undoubtedly, a significant part of this great achievement is owed to the patience, dignity, sacrifice, and solidarity of the Lebanese people, especially those in southern Lebanon.

 

The Islamic Republic of Iran, in line with the policy of the late and martyred Leader of the Revolution, Imam Seyed Ali Khamenei, has adopted the defense of these oppressed yet powerful fighters as one of its strategic policies. It has also made the preservation of Lebanon’s territorial integrity and the complete and unconditional end of Israeli aggression the first condition of the agreement to end the imposed war with the United States.

 

May God’s blessings and mercy be upon the martyrs, the wounded, and their patient families, as well as those who migrated in the path of God and endured hardship. Peace be upon the soul of Hezbollah’s chief martyr, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, and all the commanders and martyrs of the resistance, who transformed the sapling of Islamic resistance into a mighty tree whose roots are firm and whose branches reach the sky. Through their struggle and resistance, they have brought dignity and honor to Lebanon throughout the Islamic world.

 

In conclusion, I pray that, by the blessings of the supplications of our Master, may God hasten his reappearance, all divine grace and favor be bestowed upon the fighters, the martyrs, the wounded veterans of the resistance, the migrants, and their patient families.

 

“And We desired to show favor to those who were oppressed in the land and to make them leaders and inheritors.”

 

Peace and God’s mercy and blessings be upon you.

 

Seyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei