In a message marking the 40th day since the martyrdom of top Iranian commanders and scientists in a US-Israeli aggression, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said both military and scientific advances will move forward with greater speed and determination.
In the Friday message to the Iranian nation, Ayatollah Seyyed Imam Ali Khamenei condemned the “wicked and criminal Zionist ruling group” for aggression on Iran, calling it “a blow delivered by the vile and spiteful enemy of the Iranian nation.”
“Undoubtedly, the loss of commanders like Martyrs Bagheri, Salami, Rashid, Hajizadeh, Shadmani and other military personnel, as well as scientists such as Martyrs Tehranchi and Abbasi, is heavy for any nation,” the Leader said. “But the foolish and shortsighted enemy did not achieve its goal.”
Ayatollah Khamenei noted that the Israeli regime’s attempt to slow down Iran’s progress has backfired.
“The future will show that both our military and scientific movements will accelerate even more rapidly toward high horizons, God willing,” he said.
The Leader’s remarks come in the wake of Israel’s June 13 aggression targeting senior Iranian officials and nuclear scientists in an act of terrorism that killed scores of civilians as well. Days later, the United States escalated the war by bombing three civilian nuclear facilities in Iran.
In a powerful response, Iranian Armed Forces launched retaliatory strikes on strategic Israeli targets across the occupied territories and also hit the al-Udeid air base in Qatar, the largest American military outpost in West Asia.
Iran’s coordinated operations forced a halt to the aggression by June 24.
Ayatollah Khamenei praised the Iranian people and institutions for their strength in the face of US-Israeli aggression. “This painful incident also revealed some shining points — the patience and fortitude of the survivors, not seen anywhere else except in the history of the Islamic Republic; the steadfastness of institutions under the martyred leaders, who ensured that this heavy blow did not hinder their progress; and the miraculous resilience of the Iranian nation, seen in its unity, spiritual strength, and firm determination to remain in the field.”
“These enemies are hammering cold iron,” he added. “The Islamic Republic will, by God’s grace, become stronger by the day.”
The Leader also laid out seven strategic duties for all sectors of Iranian society, including maintaining national unity, accelerating scientific and technological progress, preserving national dignity, enhancing defense capabilities, ensuring government efficiency, providing spiritual guidance, and fostering revolutionary enthusiasm — particularly among the youth.
“May the Merciful and Almighty God grant everyone success in fulfilling these duties,” he concluded.