Irans officials say Islamic Revolution will continue to thrive despite loss of Leader

Iran’s officials say Islamic Revolution will continue to thrive despite loss of Leader

TEHRAN – Iran’s former and current top officials issued separate statements Sunday morning after it was announced that Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei was martyred during U.S.-Israeli strikes on his Tehran office a day earlier.

The office the Leader used since the 1980s, when he served as Iran’s President, was a significant location. It was where he regularly met with top international officials and was situated near the venue for his monthly meetings with Iranian officials and the public for almost 37 years. The location of his office was public information.

The major themes across all statements published on Sunday were intense mourning, firm condemnation of the assassination, and an unwavering commitment to the Revolution’s trajectory.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated the assassination was a “clear declaration of war against Muslims, especially the Shias in all corners of the world.”

He affirmed the Islamic Republic’s duty to exact revenge: “The Islamic Republic of Iran considers exacting retribution from the perpetrators and commanders of this historic crime its legitimate right and duty.”

Ali Larijani, the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Argued the enemy targeted the Leader because his “mastery and insight neutralized their stratagems.”

The security chief stressed historical precedent for resilience, noting that while the event is bitter, “These martyrdoms make the people more resilient,” and assured that defense forces have “only deployed a portion of their capabilities.”

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf reaffirmed faith in the system’s readiness, citing successful past operations. He pledged to the late Leader: “We guarantee that we will not allow Islamic Iran to be swallowed up.” He also predicted a strong response, noting that the structure has moved beyond individual dependence, with plans for a “Leadership Council.” That council was formed shortly after Qalibaf’s remarks.

Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref described the mourning as “Ashura-like mourning,” from which uprising is born. He countered the enemy’s goal by stating: “The Islamic Revolution is not a person; it is a school of thought, and a school of thought becomes more alive and rooted through martyrdom.”

Former President Hassan Rouhani called for immediate unity, urging all factions to embrace “national consensus, social calm, awareness, faith, steadfastness, and the unity of the people.” Another former president, Mohammad Khatami, made similar calls.

The grandson of Imam Khomeini, Seyyed Hassan Khomeini described the Leader as a “worthy successor” to his grandfather and called on the nation to “tread the path of the Imam and the bloody path of Ashura” through “unified support for the decisions of officials.”

A joint statement by Iranian lawmakers noted that Ayatollah Khamenei’s path was only validated by his martyrdom. They emphasized that the blood of Ayatollah Khamenei “will be an asset for the progress, authority, and realization of the lofty ideals of the Islamic Revolution,” and the perpetrators “will receive a regrettable response.”

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the Leader’s martyrdom as a profound national loss. He characterized Ayatollah Khamenei as a leader firm in decision-making, profound in strategic judgment, and steadfast in the path of truth. He said the late leader leaves behind a lasting legacy of dignity, wisdom, and resistance that will remain alive and inspiring.

Araghchi also described the current moment as a decisive juncture, emphasizing that safeguarding the precious legacy and continuing the luminous path of Ayatollah constitutes a historic responsibility for all.

There were also statements from several Iranian organizations and units. Two of the most important belonged to the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Army (Artesh). Both vowed that the U.S. and Israel will pay a heavy price for their unlawful assassination of Iran’s Leader.

source: tehrantimes.com