Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has declared that the era in which foreign powers could dominate Iran has passed permanently, saying the Islamic Republic has emerged stronger from successive wars while paying an extraordinary tribute to Martyr Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah on the second anniversary of his martyrdom.

In a message issued on Monday, 28 September, marking Sacred Defense Week and the martyrdom anniversary of the former Hezbollah secretary-general, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei traced Iran’s transformation from a country subject to extensive Western intervention before the Islamic Revolution to what he described as an increasingly powerful and independent Islamic state.

“I, as a servant of the dear people of Iran, declare that those bygone days to which our enemy longs to return have passed and will never be repeated,” he said.

From foreign domination to resistance

Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei recalled the US-backed 1953 coup and the period of the Shah, describing an Iran in which ambassadors of foreign powers were able to impose their demands upon the country’s rulers.

He said the Islamic Revolution led by Imam Khomeini overturned that system, while Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Iran in 1980 represented the most significant early attempt to reverse the Revolution.

Instead, he said, Iran emerged from the eight-year war “like a phoenix”, stronger than before.

Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said that same pattern had continued through subsequent confrontations, including what he called the “two recent Imposed Wars”.

“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,” he said.

Strait of Hormuz

The Leader devoted significant attention to Iran’s military position in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz.

He contrasted the presence of hostile forces in waters south of Iran during the Iran-Iraq War with the situation today, claiming that military pressure from Iranian forces had pushed them further away.

“Today, because of the painful blows the enemy has suffered at the hands of our valiant fighters and the guardians of the Strait of Hormuz, they dare not advance beyond the Arabian Sea,” he said.

Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei predicted that foreign military forces would eventually also be pushed out of the Arabian Sea.

The Leader also presented defence of the Strait as an issue capable of unifying different sections of Iranian society.

“Today, people from all walks of life, despite their obvious differences, stand resolutely in defending their righteous positions, including their determination to safeguard the bountiful Strait of Hormuz,” he said.

Nasrallah: An unparalleled figure in the Levant

The strongest praise in the message was reserved for Martyr Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah.

Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei described the former Hezbollah secretary-general as the “heroic commander of the Arab world” and a great symbol of the Resistance Front.

He said Nasrallah had strengthened Lebanon through both his leadership and his speeches, transforming a relatively small country historically vulnerable to foreign interference into a centre of resistance.

“Victory and triumph were his constant companions,” he said.

Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei then offered an exceptional assessment of Nasrallah’s place in the history of the region:

“Without a doubt, no figure — after the prophets and their successors — has ever arisen of his stature in that ancient land throughout the entire history of the Levant.”

Sheikh Naim Qassem carries the banner

Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said Nasrallah’s “glorious banner” had now passed to Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem, whom he praised for leading what he called Hezbollah’s “resolute, Ashura-inspired ranks”.

“Today, his glorious banner is in the hands of His Eminence Sheikh Naim Qassem, who courageously leads the resolute, Ashura-inspired ranks of Hezbollah, who continue on his path,” he said.

Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei also invoked Martyr Sayyid Hashem Safieddine and the fighters of the Resistance, saying they would remain “radiant stars” guiding future generations.

He contrasted them with those who, in his words, place their hopes in foreign powers when confronting the Zionist enemy, saying history would remember such figures for “malice, folly, and perhaps even betrayal”.

‘The coming days will be vastly more glorious’

Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei concluded by paying tribute to Imam Khomeini and the martyred Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, saying Iran’s present position owed a profound debt to their leadership and teachings.

Despite their absence, he said their legacy provided the foundations for the Islamic Republic’s future development.

“The coming days will be vastly more glorious than the present,” he said.

The message closed with a prayer for Iran and the wider Resistance Front, invoking Imam al-Mahdi (aj) and expressing hope that they would encounter “victory, triumph and glory”.

Full Statement of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

“And verily We sent Moses with Our signs, [saying], ‘Bring your people out from darkness into light and remind them of the Days of Allah” (Quran 14:5).

The opening days of the month of Mehr are a reminder of the “Days of God” (Ayyam Allah) and that monumental, enduring phenomenon: the eight-year valiant defense of the Iranian nation in the First Imposed War. During those days, the warm radiance of the Revolutionary sun throughout the entire expanse of Iran radiated a gratifying sense of national solidarity and devotion to the ideals and ethos of revolutionary Islam, melting away the ice of both traditional and modern colonialism and hegemony.

At that time, some Iranians still remembered the hostility of the colonial powers, the events surrounding the nationalization of the oil industry, and the US-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. 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, led by the late Imam Khomeini (ra), ripped that order apart. Due to the Revolution, those dark days gave way to the luminous era 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. For years, they had inflicted all kinds of atrocities upon Iran’s people to claim those resources for themselves. So from that moment on, they devoted all their efforts to reversing the roaring surge of the revolutionary nation to go back to its former course. The First Imposed War was their most significant undertaking during the first decade of the blessed existence of the Islamic Republic.

From inside the heart of the flames of that war – which had been ignited by the Ba’ath party that was hostile toward their people, under the delusion of a conflict that would only take days and be a victory requiring little effort – the Islamic system rose like a phoenix, more vigorous and stronger than before, and with a more resounding voice and loftier flight. This became an enduring hallmark of the 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 people and enforced a new form of colonialism were, due to the blessing of the Revolution and the raising of the banner of Islam and jihad in the midst the Imposed War, transformed into days of glory. Today, even 38 years after 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 is a model from whom lessons in worship, courage, resistance, morality, and humanity can be learned.

In those days, the two seas to the south of Iran were the theater of operations for enemy forces. But today, because of the painful blows the enemy has suffered at the hands of our valiant fighters and the guardians of the Strait of Hormuz, they dare not advance beyond the Arabian Sea. 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 too.

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 now for seven months, our compatriots have adorned the public squares and streets throughout the country with their enthusiastic, responsible presence, warming the hearts of those fighting for Islam while striking fear into the enemy.

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, there are various declarations of readiness throughout Islamic Iran, particularly 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 surpass men in several arenas with their courageous presence.

There were days when the enemy sought to continuously erode the social bedrock of the system. But today, people from all walks of life, despite their obvious differences, stand resolutely in defending their righteous positions, including their determination to safeguard the bountiful Strait of Hormuz.

This comparison between the days of the past and the present can be further expanded upon, but in one word, I, as a servant of the dear people of Iran, declare that those bygone days to which our enemy longs to return have passed and will never be repeated. Of course, I must recall with sorrow and grief that these days, the absence of the Great Khomeini and the illustrious Martyr Khamenei (may God elevate their noble stations) is felt deeply. The country’s present dignity owes a great debt to their leadership. Nonetheless, by virtue of the invaluable treasure of their deeds and radiant, guiding words left behind for their followers, the coming days will be vastly more glorious than 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 heroic commander of the Arab world and the great symbol of the Resistance Front, the exalted martyr, His Eminence Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah (may God sanctify his pure soul), it’s very fitting to remember him. He was a sincere well-wisher for his people and his faith. His sincere 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 served as a backyard for foreign powers, to greatness. Victory and triumph were his constant companions. Without a doubt, no figure – after the prophets and their successors – has ever arisen of his stature in that ancient land throughout the entire history of the Levant.

Today, his glorious banner is in the hands of His Eminence Sheikh Naim Qassem (may God protect him), who courageously leads the resolute, Ashura-inspired ranks of Hezbollah, who continue on his path.

These current days in Lebanon – even now before the judgment of history – are outstanding, glorious days for its people and all fighters of the Resistance. They’re days that bring humiliation and ultimately disgrace upon those who pin their hopes on the false promises of the hegemonic powers and the people’s ill-wishers when facing the Zionist enemy. Unlike the martyred Sayyid of the Resistance, Sayyid Hashem Safieddine, and the current fighters 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 – those powers will be swiftly buried and forgotten at the very first turn of history’s pages. Whenever they are recalled in the future, they will only be reminders of malice, folly, 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 Mahdi) (may God 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 God’s grace and through His bounty.

Sayyid Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei
Mehr 6, 1405
28 September 2026