TEHRAN - The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, has expressed his appreciation to religious scholars and figures in Iran and abroad for their messages of condolence following the martyrdom of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Leader of the Islamic Revolution.

In a series of messages issued on Wednesday, he thanked senior clerics, seminary scholars, Sunni religious leaders across Iran’s provinces, and prominent figures from the wider region and beyond for their expressions of solidarity. 

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was martyred in a joint U.S.-Israeli airstrike on his residence and office in Tehran on February 28, at the outset of a large-scale military campaign against Iran.

In a separate message addressed to Naim Qassem, Secretary-General of Hezbollah, the Leader stressed that Iran’s strategic course remains firmly anchored in continuing the path of Ruhollah Khomeini and the martyred leader—namely, support for resistance against the principal adversaries of the Islamic world, the United States and Israel.

He described steadfastness and resistance as defining features of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s leadership, a period marked by the sacrifice of senior commanders, including Lt. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, as well as other figures from the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps and Army.

Praising Hezbollah’s legacy of struggle, he referred to figures such as Ragheb Harb, Abbas al-Musawi, Hassan Nasrallah, and Hashem Safieddine. He expressed confidence that Sheikh Naim Qassem’s leadership, wisdom, and resolve would counter adversarial plans and help restore stability and security in Lebanon.

Ayatollah Khamenei concluded by reaffirming that the Islamic Republic’s policy remains committed to supporting resistance in the face of the American-Israeli axis.