TEHRAN – In a message published on Saturday, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei announced five days of mourning over the martyrdom of Hezbollah Secretary-General Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah, while stating that Resistance forces will be dealing heavier blows to the Zionist regime in the future. 

Ayatollah Khamenei, in his message, mourned Nasrallah's loss, declaring him a "great fighter," a "bearer of the Resistance in the region," a "religious scholar," and a "wise political leader." He highlighted Nasrallah's dedication to defending the people of Lebanon against the Israeli regime’s crimes.  

The Leader emphasized that Nasrallah's life was also dedicated to the cause of the oppressed Palestinian people, fighting for their occupied cities and villages, their shattered homes, and their murdered loved ones. He declared that Nasrallah's martyrdom was a "blessing" earned through a lifetime of tireless effort.

He also expressed his conviction that the foundations laid by Nasrallah in Lebanon, and his guidance for other Resistance movements, will endure despite his loss. This foundation, he asserted, will only be strengthened by the blood of Nasrallah and the other martyrs of the Beirut attack.

Addressing the Zionist regime directly, Ayatollah Khamenei declared that their act of violence had not achieved victory. He emphasized that Nasrallah was not merely an individual, but a symbol of a path, a school of thought, and that this path will continue. 

He further asserted that the Resistance Front, unified in its cause, will continue to deal crushing blows to the "dilapidated and decaying body" of the Zionist regime.

The loss of Nasrallah, Ayatollah Khamenei stated, is a profound loss for the Muslim world, the Resistance Front, and Hezbollah in Lebanon. However, the Leader said, the blessings of Nasrallah's prudence and jihad over decades will not be erased by his martyrdom.

In a separate message released on Saturday, the Leader said that the Resistance will determine the fate of West Asia with Hezbollah leading the way.

“The Zionist criminals need to know that they are far too weak to be able to inflict any significant damage on the solid structure of Lebanon’s Hezbollah. All the Resistance forces in the region stand with and support Hezbollah.”

Ayatollah Khamenei added, “It is an obligation for all Muslims to stand with the people of Lebanon and the honorable Hezbollah, offering their resources and assistance as Hezbollah confronts the usurping, cruel, malicious [Zionist] regime.”