This evening, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei, gave a televised address to the Iranian nation. He emphasised the necessity of strengthening and powerfully continuing the Basij (Popular Mobilisation Forces) across successive generations. He described it as "a great asset, a public movement, and a factor enhancing national power." He stated that the failure of the U.S. and the Zionist regime to achieve any of their objectives in attacking Iran indicates their undeniable defeat. While offering several recommendations to the people, he called upon all citizens and political factions to preserve and strengthen national unity.

He pointed to the necessity for officials to take action in honouring the Basij, describing it as a valuable national movement endowed with God-centred and conscientious motivations, self-confidence, and a sense of honour. He added that the fourth generation of the Basij, namely the precious adolescents throughout the country, are ready to work and strive. He said that this valuable and highly important movement of the Basij must be passed down to successive generations in the country in a way that makes it ever more flourishing, and an institution that continues and becomes more complete and stronger over time.

The Leader of the Revolution considered the existence of a movement such as the Basij as a problem-solving pathfinder and beneficial asset for any country. He said, “A country like Iran, which openly stands firm and confronts international bullies and thugs like Iran, needs the Basij more than any other country.”

With reference to the necessity for nations to resist the greed and interference of domineering powers, Ayatollah Khamenei said, “The great element of resistance that was established and grew in Iran can now be seen in the slogans of support for Palestine and Gaza across different parts of the world, including Western countries and even the United States.”

He said that the vitality and dynamism of the Basij is a source for the growth of resistance among the world’s nations in the face of global oppressors, adding, “With the growth of resistance, the oppressed people of the world feel supported and empowered.”

Elaborating on the nature of the Basij, the Leader of the Revolution said, “In its organisational form as part of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Basij presents a firm and resolute face before the enemy, while before the people it embodies service and devotion. However, more importantly, the Basij has a vast popular base that manifests itself throughout the country in every courageous individual and group who stand ready, motivated and hopeful in the fields of economy, industry, science, the universities, the seminary, in production, the business environment, and in other arenas.”

Ayatollah Khamenei described the Basij in this broad, universal sense as the force that neutralises the enemy’s designs in military, economic, industrial, technological and all other fields.

He said, “The beloved scientists who were martyred in the 12-Day War, the designers, the builders, and those who launched the missiles, everyone who has spoken and continues to speak with firm reasoning and clear expression to counter rumours and insinuations, the devoted doctors and nurses who did not abandon the hospitals during the war, and the sports champions who express devotion to God, religion, country, and the people in international arenas; whether they are formal members of the Basij organization or not, are all Basijis.”

He said, “The Imam, who took pride in being a Basiji, sought such an all-encompassing Basij; one that is not limited to any particular class and includes all ethnicities, professions, and social strata."

In his concluding remarks about the Basij, the Leader urged all officials in state institutions, “Fulfil your duties with faith, motivation and honour like a Basiji.”

In another part of his speech, regarding regional issues and the 12-Day War, Ayatollah Khamenei said, “In the 12-Day War, the Iranian nation undoubtedly defeated both America and the Zionist regime. They came to commit aggression, but they got a thrashing and returned empty-handed, failing to achieve any of their objectives. This was an unmistakable defeat for them.”

Referring to claims about a 20-year Zionist plan to wage war against Iran, he said, “They had planned a war in which, by provoking the people, they could drive the people themselves into conflict with the system. But the opposite happened, they failed so completely that even those who had grievances with the system stood alongside it, and a broad national unity emerged.”

The Leader of the Revolution added, “Of course, we also suffered losses, as is inherent in the nature of war; we lost precious lives. But the Islamic Republic demonstrated that it is a centre of resolve and power, able to stand firmly and make decisions undeterred by the clamour. Moreover, the material losses inflicted on the aggressor were far greater than our own.”

He pointed to the significant losses suffered by the United States in the 12-Day War, saying, “The United States suffered greatly in this war, for despite deploying its most advanced offensive and defensive weapons, it failed to achieve its aim, namely, deceiving the people and rallying them to its side. Instead, the people's unity grew stronger, leaving the U.S. thwarted as well.”

He spoke about the severe disgrace and infamy brought upon the Zionist regime due to the Gaza catastrophe, one of the most significant tragedies in the history of the region. He said, “America stood by the usurping regime and became severely disgraced and discredited, because the people of the world know that without America, the Zionist regime would not be capable of perpetrating such widespread atrocities.”

He deemed the most hated individual in the world today is the head of the Zionist entity, and the most detested organisation and ruling gang in the world is the Zionist regime, and added, “Because America stands by them, the loathing directed at the Zionists has spread to America as well.”

The Leader of the Revolution considered America’s interventions in different parts of the world as another factor for its increasing isolation and said, “Wherever America intervenes, it leads to warmongering, genocide, destruction, and displacement.”

He cited the ruinous and fruitless war in Ukraine as one example of America’s interference. He said, “The current US President, who claimed he would resolve the war in three days, is now, after nearly a year, imposing a 28-point plan on a country that they themselves dragged into war.”

Ayatollah Khamenei listed the Zionist regime's attacks on Lebanon, its aggression against Syria, its crimes in the West Bank, and the catastrophic situation in Gaza as further evidence of America's overt support for the regime’s warfare and atrocities. He said, “Of course, they spread rumours claiming that the Iranian government has sent a message to America through such-and-such a country. This is a complete lie; nothing of the sort has occurred.”

He pointed to America's betrayal even of its own friends in exchange for supporting the criminal Zionist gang and its efforts to instigate wars around the world for oil and mineral resources; a reach that has now extended to Latin America and said, “Such a government is certainly not one that the Islamic Republic would seek to cooperate or engage with."

In the final part of his speech, Ayatollah Khamenei offered several recommendations addressed to the people, the first of which was to preserve and strengthen national unity.

He said, “Differences among various social strata and political currents do exist, but what matters is that we stand together in the face of the enemy as we saw during the 12-Day War. This solidarity is a very important factor in national strength.”

Advising support for the President and the serving government, the Leader of the Revolution said, “Running the country is a difficult and heavy task. The government has undertaken good work, including the continuation of the unfinished projects of the martyred President Raisi, the results of which the people will see, God-willing.”

The Leader’s third recommendation to the nation was to avoid wastefulness in all matters, including bread, gas, gasoline, and food items. He described wastefulness as one of the most significant dangers and harms to families and the country, stating, “If all this wastefulness did not exist, without doubt, the situation of the country would have been much better.”

The Leader’s final recommendation to the people was to strengthen their connection with God and to turn to Him in supplication and prayer for everything, including rain, security, and well-being, so that God, through His grace, may provide the means for the rectification of affairs.