TEHRAN – Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, hailed the public mourning period in Lebanon that was announced over the passing of President Ebrahim Raisi as a testament to the closeness of ties between Iran and the Arab country. 

He made the remarks during a meeting with Nabih Berri, the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, on Wednesday.

“The declaration of public mourning in Lebanon is a sign of the utmost solidarity between the two countries, and we consider our relationship with the Lebanese brothers and Mr. Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah as one of kinship and brotherhood,” the Leader stated. 

Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that while the martyrdom of President Raisi was a heavy and devastating loss, it could be turned into an opportunity. “This issue is difficult for us, but by the grace of God, the Iranian people will use this bitter incident as an opportunity, as has been the case in the past years when hard events have turned into opportunities,” he noted. 

The Leader, referring to the vast presence of the Iranian people in mourning the late President and his companions, added, “Our people, thanks be to God, are a standing and vigilant nation, and our trust and reliance on the Almighty God are great, and God willing, the Iranian people will benefit from this incident.”

Ayatollah Khamenei also expressed satisfaction with the solidarity among resistance groups in Lebanon and affirmed previous statements by Berri on the occurrence of an “existential” war in the region. “The current conditions in the region are such that it is a matter of life and death for the Zionist enemy as well as for the side of truth.”

The Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament expressed sadness and deep sorrow on behalf of the people and government of Lebanon over the demise of President Raisi.