In a message thanking the nation and acknowledging the efforts of the religious authorities and elites, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, described the unparalleled and historic epic displayed in the unprecedented outpouring at the funeral procession for Iran’s martyred leader as setting a new benchmark for the manifestation of the prophetic mission and the firm resolve of the Islamic-Iranian identity. He made reference to the Great Satan’s repeated breaches of the Memorandum of Understanding that both the Presidents of Iran and the United States had signed. He said that now that the American enemy is seeking to instigate war and suffer heavier losses and greater disgrace, it should know that the dear nation of Iran and the Resistance Front have unforgettable lessons for it. He continued by saying that examples of these lessons can be seen in the bravery of the warriors of Islam and the zeal of the courageous people of the southern region in recent days.
The Leader of the Revolution also stressed the necessity of preserving social cohesion and avoiding discord. He noted that some people may, with complete sincerity and out of goodwill, have criticisms regarding the performance of some official or other. He said that these dear individuals, some of whom have tremendous insight, must take care that this approach, first of all, would not result in injustice being done to innocent persons. This itself can hinder blessings and favours. Secondly, it would not lead to a breakdown in unity and social cohesion. When these considerations are observed, he said, criticism will lead to prosperity and growth.
The full text of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution’s message follows:
In the Name of God, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
O Great and wonder-working nation of Iran!
Peace, salutations and our gratitude to you. Through your unprecedented and historic epic, marked by an unimaginable turnout at the funeral procession for Iran’s martyred leader, you set a new benchmark for the manifestation of the prophetic mission and the firm resolve of the Islamic-Iranian identity. You demonstrated this through your appreciation, loyalty, insight and extraordinary expression of love for the Leader of the Islamic Ummah, the martyred Leader of the Revolution. The ardour of burning hearts, tearful eyes and the steadfast resolve of tens of millions, spanning routes stretching for tens of kilometres in Tehran, Qom, Mashhad and other cities and villages, inspired admiration among the friends of the Iranian nation and the free people of the world, while casting the Iranian nation's arrogant enemies into astonishment, bewilderment, anger and fear.
At the same time this epic was unfolding, the Great Satan’s behaviour of repeatedly violating their agreements was once again evident in their breach of the Memorandum of Understanding, signed by the presidents of Iran and the United States. This once again proved to everyone how worthless and unreliable the signature of the President of the United States is. It also shows that bullying, hegemony, and savagery are inseparable elements of the American creed and conduct.
Today, the Great Satan has once again revealed its true, unmasked face, so that this dark episode of crime and perfidy may serve as yet another firm testament to America’s mendacity, irrationality, untrustworthiness and wickedness. Now that the American enemy is seeking to instigate war and incur heavier losses and further disgrace, it should know that the beloved nation of Iran and the Resistance Front have unforgettable lessons for it. The valour of the warriors of Islam and the honour of the courageous people of the southern region have demonstrated these lessons in recent days.
It is necessary to convey to you, loyal and proud people of Iran, that one of the most fundamental imperatives at this juncture is to insist on unity of word and sacred solidarity at every level among the people, the officials, and in all other arenas. This is necessary to realise the lofty ideals of the Islamic Revolution and to safeguard the dignity and independence of our beloved Iran, particularly in the face of the criminal and deceitful American enemy. As has been repeatedly and emphatically pointed out, safeguarding unity and avoiding division, conflict, political discord and the exacerbation of social differences are duties incumbent upon everyone. The role of officials and of those devoted and deeply attached to the Revolution, the Imam and the martyred Leader is, of course, even more important and sensitive in maintaining the country’s cohesion and integrity.
Accordingly, the dear nation will remain vigilant and active in the field to ensure the protection of the interests of Islamic Iran, while continuing to place its trust in the conscientious officials of all three branches of government, whose efforts for the people’s welfare and prosperity are evident. Some people may, with complete sincerity and out of goodwill, have criticisms of the performance of certain officials. In my opinion, their concern and solicitude for the Islamic system constitute a valuable asset and are intrinsically desirable, just as the individuals themselves are. However, these dear individuals, some of whom possess tremendous insight, must exercise care in adopting this approach. First, it must not result in injustice being done to innocent persons, for that itself could cause divine blessings and favours to cease. Second, it must not lead to a breakdown in unity and social cohesion. When these considerations are observed, criticism will contribute to prosperity and to the development of affairs. The enemy must perceive no sign of weakness from us, including this kind of weakness, for whenever we fully observe these precautions, the enemy will inevitably be forced to retreat in defeat.
Once again, I sincerely thank every single one of the beloved people who are themselves the mourners of the martyred Father of the Ummah. Despite the difficulties, limitations and adversities surrounding the great funeral procession for Iran’s martyred leader, they created a historic epic.
I would also like to thank the esteemed Marājiʿ al-Taqlīd (Sources of Emulation or Leading Jurists), the scholars, thinkers and elites, cultural, social and political activists, and the actions and efforts of civil and military institutions. Likewise, I would like to thank the dignitaries and representatives of the proud Resistance Front and the splendid Islamic movements for being here. May all those who participated in any way, or expressed solidarity with this historic epic, be encompassed by the special favour and prayers of our Master (aj).
Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei
26th Tir 1405/17th July 2026