TEHRAN – The Leader of the Islamic Revolution and other Iranian officials has extended their sympathies towards Hashem Safieddine, a high-ranking Hezbollah member recently martyred by Israeli forces in Beirut.

Safieddine, who had been expected to succeed Nasrallah as Hezbollah’s secretary-general, was a pivotal figure in the Resistance. His death comes amid heightened Israeli aggression toward Lebanon, which intensified following Israel’s war on Gaza last October. Since then, Israeli attacks on Lebanon have resulted in the deaths of at least 2,574 people.

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Leader of the Islamic Revolution, honored late Hashem Safieddine, praising Hezbollah as "the most formidable protector of Lebanon" and a crucial defense against Israeli crimes. 

In a message issued Thursday, Ayatollah Khamenei paid tribute to Safieddine, whom he described as “one of Hezbollah’s most prominent leaders and a trusted ally of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.” 

Ayatollah Khamenei highlighted the role of Safieddine and other Hezbollah leaders in fortifying Lebanon against division and securing it from Israeli occupation forces, which once pushed as far as Beirut.

“Through the wisdom and courage of leaders like Safieddine, Hezbollah has shielded Lebanon from threats of disintegration and countered the ongoing danger posed by the occupying regime, which has time and again shown its brutal reach,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.

He went on to commend the sacrifices made by Hezbollah fighters under Nasrallah’s leadership, which he credited with thwarting Israeli ambitions to annex parts of southern Lebanon, including regions like the Litani River and the city of Tyre. “Their courage saved Lebanon from being absorbed into the Israeli-occupied territories. Hezbollah risked its resources, honor, and lives to safeguard Lebanon’s sovereignty, frustrating the Zionist regime’s aggressive ambitions,” he added.

Ayatollah Khamenei also addressed those concerned with Lebanon’s future, urging them to recognize Hezbollah’s role in preserving the nation’s independence and resist any attempts to distort the truth about the group’s actions. “Today, Hezbollah remains Lebanon’s strongest defender and the solid barrier against the Zionist regime’s greed, which has long threatened to divide Lebanon. The enemy tries to undermine Hezbollah’s critical role in defending Lebanon. Those who care for the country should not let this false narrative take root,” he said.

Ayatollah Khamenei reaffirmed the Islamic Republic’s support for Hezbollah and the Palestinian cause, underscoring Iran’s continued commitment to backing those who resist occupation. “Hezbollah is alive and thriving, and with God’s grace, the Islamic Republic will continue to support the fighters of Al-Quds and all those standing against the criminal forces that have seized Palestine,” he declared.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian extended heartfelt condolences following the assassination of senior Hezbollah figure Sayyed Hashem Safieddine in an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon. 

Describing Safieddine as a “great man of jihad and martyrdom,” Pezeshkian honored his dedication to the people of Palestine and Lebanon, as well as his role in strengthening the regional Resistance movement. 

In his Wednesday statement, the president noted that Safieddine drew strength from the teachings of Ashura, the defining Shia commemoration of struggle against injustice. 

“He leaves behind a remarkable legacy of resilience in the face of oppression and tyranny, one that will inspire future generations,” he added.

Major General Hossein Salami, chief commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), also released a statement on Wednesday, expressing grief over Safieddine’s death. 

He emphasized the strategic importance of West Asia, particularly Lebanon and Palestine, where he believes Western powers prioritize “sacrificing humanity and resistance” to maintain Israel’s position. 

Salami underscored that those dedicated to Islamic resistance, inspired by martyrdom, embody unparalleled heroism that will thwart the plans of foreign interests in the region. 

“The day when this malignant tumor, Israel, is eradicated from the Islamic world is not far off,” Salami declared.

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf also paid tribute to Safieddine, portraying him as a symbol of unity who gave his life for Islam, Palestine, and Lebanon. 

Qalibaf condemned Israel’s brutal killing of defenseless civilians in Lebanon and Gaza, attributing this violence to its recent military setbacks against the Resistance Front. 

“Facing defeat, the Zionist regime resorts to heinous acts, such as targeting civilians, as it did with Safieddine in Lebanon,” he stated. 

Qalibaf concluded by affirming his belief that those who pursue martyrdom in defense of faith ultimately attain divine victory, calling it “an eternal path for all who fight in the way of God.”