TEHRAN- Iran’s Minister of Interior has considered people’s participation in all areas as the key to society’s vitality, and stated that “without people’s participation, we cannot reach our desired goals.”

In a meeting with the Ministry of Interior’s deputies on Monday, Ahmad Vahidi said that the Iranian people are not afraid of facing threats and conspiracies from enemies, and the people, with their enthusiastic and meaningful presence, have truly created a new epic and shown how much they value the position of the soldiers of the path of God.

He paid tribute to the martyrdom of Commander Mohammadreza Zahedi and his companions in the Zionist regime’s attack, stating, “This dear martyr dedicated more than four decades of his life to the resistance and ultimately achieved martyrdom in Damascus. These martyrdoms will make us more steadfast than ever.”

Vahidi also regarded the people’s active participation in all areas, including political, economic, and social, as the key to society’s vitality and said, “The ground for people’s participation in all areas must be provided. In the political sphere, people’s participation in elections and determining their own destiny is prominent and decisive, and in the discussion of social harms, we cannot achieve the desired goals for reducing harms without people’s participation.”

Given the requirements of security and the role of people, he noted that “security is based on the people, and even in the early days of the Revolution, security was established with the help of the people.”

In another part of his remarks, the minister highlighted the priorities of the Ministry considering this year’s slogan and stated, “Special attention to internal security issues will be one of the most important duties and priorities of the Ministry of Interior in the current year.”

Internal security and stability, chastity and hijab, social harms, organizing foreign nationals, holding the second phase of the Islamic Consultative Assembly elections, renovating urban public transport fleets, waste management, optimal city and village management, strengthening infrastructure, readiness for facing natural and man-made crises, pursuing youth programs, solving livelihood issues of border residents, solving coastal issues and focusing on sea-based economy, full implementation of delivering 4 million national ID cards and replacing birth certificates, and developing and strengthening technical infrastructure in line with the ministry’s obligations were emphasized as priority areas by Vahidi.

Israeli airstrikes on the last Monday afternoon destroyed the consular annex of Iran’s embassy in Damascus, Syria, resulting in the death of 13 individuals, including seven members of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).

During an open parliamentary session in Tehran on Sunday, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf stated that the Israeli regime is on its way to collapse, as it has committed crimes that go against international laws during its failed six-month war on the Gaza Strip.

He went on to add that “by targeting Iran's consulate in Syria, the usurping Zionist enemy once again proved that it knows no boundaries in crimes and that it is so dishonorable and hated in the world that openly violates all international regulations.”

He stated that the more crimes the Zionist regime commits, the weaker it becomes, fueling the determination and motivation of the resistance against it. 

In a message on Tuesday, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said the Islamic Republic will make the Zionist regime regret this crime.

“The bold, selfless, general of Islam, Major General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, along with his honorable comrade, General Mohammad Hadi Haj-Rahimi, were martyred by the criminal act of the despised, usurping Zionist regime. May the peace and mercy of God and those that are beloved by him be upon them and the other martyrs [who were assassinated] in this tragic event. May God’s curse and damnation be upon the leaders of the oppressive, aggressive [Zionist] regime,” he added.

Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, spoke on Saturday that retaliation for the Israeli attack on Iran’s diplomatic mission in Damascus is certain, emphasizing that Tehran will determine the timing and method of the response.

Major General Baqeri described the attack on Iran’s embassy in Damascus as a self-destructive move by Israel and stated that the sacrifice of Iranian military personnel will hasten Israel’s downfall. 

He also pointed out that the U.S. bears primary responsibility for the attack in Damascus and must face consequences.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) expressed gratitude for the Iranian populace's participation on Quds Day, affirming that the remorseful punishment of the criminal Zionist enemy will be realized.

The IRGC also conveyed appreciation for the public's attendance at the burial ceremony of Iranian military advisors who lost their lives in the attack on the consular section of the Iranian embassy in the Syrian capital of Damascus.

According to the statement, the steadfast presence of the Iranian people stands as a symbol of hope and support for the Palestinian cause and the resilient population of Gaza.