Iran Press/Iran news: On the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the martyrdom of Lieutenant General Ghasem Soleimani, former commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the families of this martyr and his companions, the families of the martyrs of the funeral in 2020, the families of the martyrs of last year's terrorist incident in Kerman, and a group of families of martyrs, veterans, and activists of the resistance movement, met with Ayatollah Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, this morning (Wednesday) at Imam Khomeini Husseiniyeh.
Ayatollah Khamenei praised General Soleimani for considering Iran as a sanctuary, noting that without the sacrifices of those martyrs, the sacred shrines and holy sites would not exist today. He also acknowledged the widespread presence of visitors from both Iran and abroad at Soleimani's tomb, referring to it as a symbol of divine dignity and the result of his sincere devotion.
He described Soleimani as a great fighter and a dear, close companion. He also emphasized the General’s ability to take initiative and show courageous and timely leadership in the face of challenges.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution mentioned General Soleimani's involvement in the battle against U.S. interference in Afghanistan and Iraq in the early 2000s. He explained that the U.S. aimed to destabilize the region, particularly targeting Iran. However, Soleimani’s resolute actions led to the ultimate defeat of U.S. forces and the thwarting of their plans.
Ayatollah Khamenei also recalled Soleimani’s pivotal role in organizing and arming the Iraqi youth, particularly when they were left defenseless against American occupiers at the shrine of Imam Ali (AS). He highlighted how Soleimani’s quick action saved countless lives, with the crucial backing of the religious authorities.
Furthermore, the Leader discussed the wider regional implications of U.S. occupation in Iraq, emphasizing the role of Soleimani and his comrades in ensuring that the people of Iraq would govern their own destiny through a multifaceted process involving military, political, and cultural strategies.
Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to the defeat of the U.S.-backed ISIS terrorists as one of the major achievements of Soleimani’s leadership. He commended the Iraqi youth for their bravery in combating the takfiri terrorism, and how Soleimani’s initiative and courage led to a decisive victory in the region.
Soleimani’s longstanding strategy, according to Ayatollah Khamenei, was the "revival of the resistance front," where he made the most of the potential and capacity of local forces from Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq to strengthen the resistance.
Referring to the fatwa issued by Iraq's religious leaders that called for resistance against ISIS, Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that it was Soleimani’s leadership that helped organize these young fighters, providing them with weapons and training to carry out their defense.
Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that Soleimani's defense of the sacred shrines was consistent throughout his life, noting his commitment to protecting these holy sites, including the Al-Aqsa Mosque. He mentioned that Soleimani was rightly referred to as the "martyr of Quds" by the late martyr Ahmad Jibril, given his unwavering commitment to the liberation of Palestine.
Ayatollah Khamenei also acknowledged Soleimani’s global perspective, which led him to recognize the interconnectedness of regional and global events. Soleimani understood that major regional and international incidents impacted Iran and acted proactively to counter emerging threats.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution defined Soleimani's virtues as the foundation for the "Soleimani school," emphasizing that it was rooted in the teachings of Islam and the Qur’an. He noted that if individuals follow this school of thought with sincerity and righteous actions, they, too, can emulate Soleimani’s path and receive divine blessings.
Ayatollah Khamenei concluded by emphasizing the ongoing significance of defending sacred sites and how the sacrifices made were never in vain. He stated that if it were not for Soleimani and the Defenders of the Shrine, holy sites such as Karbala and Najaf would have been lost to the enemy.
In his address, Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated the inevitability of victory for the faithful and said that the people of Lebanon, Yemen, and Syria, despite the challenges, will ultimately triumph, and the foreign aggressors, especially the U.S., will be forced to retreat in disgrace.
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