Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem issued a statement on the 40th day since the martyrdom of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei praising his legacy and inspiration to the regional resistance. 

In a message issued on Friday, the Hezbollah chief declared that the martyrdom of Ayatollah Khamenei marks both a moment of deep loss and enduring strength for the resistance front.

Sheikh Qassem described the loss as profound but spiritually elevated, framing martyrdom as the highest rank attained in the battlefield of struggle.

“We live both grief and dignity. The loss is immense, and the tragedy is great for us, but the station attained by our leader in the heart of the battlefield of jihad—martyrdom on the path of Imam Husayn (the third Shia Imam)—is greater and more exalted.”

Foundations of resistance

Sheikh Qassem emphasized that Ayatollah Khamenei had solidified the ideological and strategic foundations of “authentic Muhammadan Islam,” continuing the path laid by Imam Khomeini.

He stated that Ayatollah Khamenei not only preserved the revolutionary line but actively strengthened it by instilling principles of steadfastness, jihad, patience, and resistance across the nation.

“He established the foundations of authentic Islam along the path of Imam Khomeini and provided the nation with the principles of steadfastness, jihad, and patience.”

According to Sheikh Qassem, Ayatollah Khamenei’s leadership extended beyond ideology into practical guidance—encouraging scientific advancement, self-sufficiency, and independence from global power blocs.

“He emphasized keeping pace with the modern age, scientific progress, self-sufficiency, and the right to independence without subordination to East or West.”

He further stressed that this framework was deeply rooted in Islamic teachings, connected to the message of Prophet Muhammad and the legacy of the Imams.

Assassination failed to cripple resistance 

Sheikh Qassem asserted that the assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei was a deliberate attempt by Israeli-American axis to dismantle the resistance structure and destabilize Iran and its allies.

“The Israeli-American enemy sought, through the assassination of the Imam leader, to end this authentic path and shake the Iranian people and the free peoples who love his methodology.”
However, he stressed that the outcome was the opposite of what was intended.

Iran’s strategic victory

According to Sheikh Qassem, Iran responded with internal unity and comprehensive resistance—military, political, and societal—effectively neutralizing the impact of the assassination.
“The Iranian people, their Guards, and their security and military forces stood firm in the field and confronted the enemy militarily, politically, culturally, and through mass presence and internal unity.”

He highlighted the rapid leadership transition to Ayatollah Sayyed Mojtaba Khamenei as a decisive factor in maintaining stability and continuity.

“They succeeded, by the grace of Allah, in electing Ayatollah Sayyed Mojtaba Khamenei as a blessed successor to a blessed predecessor.”
Under this leadership, Sheikh Qassem said, Iran was able to regain balance, stabilize the battlefield, and prevent its adversaries from achieving their strategic objectives.

“The Islamic Republic was able to heal its wounds, stabilize the field, and achieve a major victory by preventing the American-Israeli enemy from achieving its goals.”

He further claimed that this outcome forced the United States and Israel into negotiations under Iran’s conditions.

“The enemy came humiliated to negotiations under Iran’s rightful conditions.”

Power of resistance 

Sheikh Qassem reaffirmed that Hezbollah and allied forces remain committed to a continuous line of guardianship (wilayah) extending from Prophet Muhammad through the Imams and leading scholars across history.

He framed this ideological continuity as central to the resilience of the resistance axis.

“We believe in this guardianship that extends from the Prophet, through the Imams, and the great scholars, until the handing of the banner to Imam Mahdi (the 12th Shia Imam).”

He also emphasized the sacrifices made by Hezbollah in this path, including the martyrdom of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and numerous fighters.

“Hezbollah has offered the master of the martyrs of the nation, Sayyed Hassan, and the righteous martyrs to elevate the word of truth, liberation, and human dignity.”

Israel’s failures 

Sheikh Qassem also issued a firm and direct warning regarding Israel’s military ambitions in the region, particularly in southern Lebanon.

“The usurping Israel will not be able to achieve its goals, nor will it find stability in our steadfast south.”

He stressed that resistance forces remain prepared to confront and ultimately defeat the Israeli project.

“Its project will be brought down by the youth of the resistance through their martyrdom-seeking performance, along with our dear, pure, and sacrificing people.”