Sayyed Nasrallah’s Full Speech at the Memorial Service for the Martyrs of the Resistance Axis

Translated by Staff, Hezbollah Media Relations

Full speech of Hezbollah’s Secretary General, His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, at the memorial service for the martyrs of the resistance axis organized by the party in Hermel, Baalbek, Sohmor, Nabatiyeh, Tyre and Bint Jbeil on Jan 12, 2020.

I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan. In the name of Allah the Most Gracious the Merciful. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, and prayers and peace be upon our Master and Prophet, the Seal of Prophets, Abi al-Qassem Muhammad Bin Abdullah and his good and pure household and his good and chosen companions and all the prophets and messengers.

May peace and Allah's mercy and blessing be upon you all.

In the name of Allah the Most Gracious the Merciful. {Among the believers are men true to what they promised Allah. Among them is he who has fulfilled his vow [to the death], and among them is he who awaits [his chance]. And they did not alter [the terms of their commitment] by any alteration.} (Quran, 33, 23) Allah Almighty has spoken the truth.

Gentlemen, esteemed scholars, brothers and sisters, honorable participants from Hermel, Baalbek, Sohmor in the Western Bekaa, Nabatiyeh, Tyre, Bint Jbeil and all those watching this memorial ceremony, I thank you for your great attendance on this solemn occasion.

I begin by extending my condolences to all Muslims on the occasion of the martyrdom of Sayyeda Fatima al-Zahraa, daughter of Muhammad, the Messenger of God, peace be upon them .

I renew my condolences and congratulations to the families of the martyrs, all the martyrs who were killed in this hideous American crime in Baghdad a few days ago, especially to the family of the martyred commander Hajj Qassem Soleimani and the family of martyred commander Hajj Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.

Today, I will be speaking about several topics mainly related to the occasion we are observing.

The first topic is about the two martyrs, especially martyr Hajj Qassem due to his links to the resistance in Lebanon.

Last Sunday, I didn’t get a chance to discuss this topic. I would like to allocate some of the time to talk about this matter in order to familiarize people with some of the qualities, merits and values, of these two martyred leaders and thank them. Allah Almighty asked us to thank his creations the way we thank Him. Allah Almighty says in some verses from the Quran {Be grateful to Me and to your parents.} (Quran 31,14) This matter is clear in our faith. A person should thank those who did him good, defended him and helped him. He should thank his parents and his teachers. 

First, we should thank those dear martyrs for everything they have given to us in Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen and throughout the region. For one, expressing gratitude preserves the blessings and makes them last. By thanking God, He will compensate us for our losses with something better. But if we were ungrateful, this matter will have other consequences.

Over the course of the past ten days or the last week, Hajj Qassem was mentioned in one way or another in more than one country, including Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Pakistan, Nigeria and other parts of Africa, India and in many other countries around the world. A little while ago, there was a ceremony in Syria where leaders and officials spoke about him. But I am talking especially about those countries that had a connection to Hajj Qassem Soleimani, the martyr. These countries and Soleimani had a working relationship. They know very well what he gave, how he stood by their side, how he supported them and what sort of relationship he had with them. These countries should reveal this to the people because all this was done in secret. Only a small part of this was revealed, while the rest was kept secret. They should tell their people these facts and explain to the world what this great martyred leader did, and eventually what the Islamic Republic and the leadership of the Islamic Revolution in Iran did. This is because Hajj Qassem was not representing himself or his family. He was representing this revolution, this blessed regime and this blessed and wise leadership. He was the best messenger, the best representative and the best bearer of its banner to our people, states and resistance movements in our region. Let everyone talk about their own country. I will talk about Lebanon and a little bit about Iraq as an introduction so I can talk about Abu Mahdi.

This description of them is also brief. God willing, we need more occasions to elaborate further. We are making this brief description to present to the world and to our Ummah [nation] a symbol and a model of a real Islamic jihadi leader that Islam and the school of Imam Khomeini create. A leader that is created by the values and concepts of this blessed Islamic revolution.

Let us talk about Lebanon. We in Hezbollah, that is me and all the brothers, have known Hajj Qassem since 1998 when he took up the command of the [Islamic Revolutionary] Guard’s Quds Force. When he assumed responsibility, he took the initiative to visit Lebanon. It’s like the saying goes, the good and blessings awaiting us were clear from the beginning. He did not wait for us to go to Iran so we could meet him, congratulate him and agree on the mechanisms and foundations of the relationship. He took the initiative and came to us. He was quickly able to establish a different, special and solid relationship with the jihadi leaders – the leadership of Hezbollah in general and the jihadi leaders in particular – and different levels with the mujahideen in the resistance in Lebanon. In all honesty, we felt that he was one of us, keeping in mind that there was a language barrier. He quickly learned Arabic. He was a brigadier-general in the Guard, the commander of the Quds force, a top general in Iran and a delegate of a large system in the region. Yet from the first hours with Hajj Qassem we did not feel any kind of formalities, protocols, the stars on his shoulder, the ranks, the compliments or the barriers at all. He was one of us. He was like one of our ordinary and kind mujahideen bothers. To a large extent, he was present with us on the battlefield, the frontlines and even at the dirt berms. Maybe later if its possible, we can show films about him being there. But there is more clear and published footage of him being present at dirt berms in Iraq.

His relationship with our brothers in the resistance in Lebanon reached the point where he loved them, and they loved him. They found comfort in his company the way he did in theirs. They missed him, and he missed them. He rejoiced when we rejoiced, he grieved when we grieved. This was Hajj Qassem’s relationship with us and with the resistance in Lebanon.  Of course, this was a model relationship. Instead of going to him, he always came to us. With Hajj Qassem Soleimani assuming responsibility of the Quds Force, we no longer needed to send delegations to Iran to ask for support or assistance, or to explain the conditions, circumstances or difficulties. He visited us frequently. He carried our pains, concerns, our needs and our demands. He followed up on them in the Islamic Republic. He provided what we needed and even more than what we asked for or expected. He always helped us, supported us, and strengthened us. What I mean is that the assistance that he provided was intellectual assistance, material assistance, moral assistance and always being present at our side. No one felt this in Lebanon, and no one in Lebanon had spoken about this before.

The beginning was in 1998. When you go back to 1998, 1999 and 2000, you recall that those years were the peak of the resistance's work in southern Lebanon. That is the time when Hajj Qassem took command of the Quds Force. One of the main reasons for the quantitative and qualitative development in the resistance’s operations during 1998 and 1999 that led to the victory in 2000 was Hajj Qassem’s follow-up and support since he was the representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the bearer of its banner. Therefore, Hajj Qassem was a partner in the liberation of Lebanon in May 25, 2000. We have not spoken about this before. But following his martyrdom, it is our duty to state this fact.

After 2000, one might say that “Israel” has withdrawn from southern Lebanon, except for the Shebaa Farms and the Kafr Shuba hills. Thus, the resistance was relieved from its worries in Lebanon and it could rest easy, thank God. And Hajj Qassem diverted his attention to other priorities. Yet, he agreed with us on the notion that after we liberate southern Lebanon, it would still be in danger from “Israeli” threats, ambitions and reprisals. Senior “Israeli” academics and leaders spoke of the resistance’s 2000 victory as a strategic victory that had serious repercussions on the entity domestically. And this is what we witnessed quickly in Palestine and in the Intifada of Al-Aqsa.

Therefore, there was a need to develop the capabilities of the resistance and to convert it from a resistance launching attrition warfare along the occupied Lebanese border to a resistance that has high deterrent capabilities to prevent “Israeli” aggression against Lebanon and to put an end to "Israel’s" dreams in Lebanon. For these reasons, we entered a new stage in the relationship. Hence, the qualitative development began. The quantitative and human development as well as the qualitative development in capabilities continued.

It is here where the so-called missile capabilities – whether they are surface-to-surface or surface-to-sea missiles – we talked about on more than one occasion was introduced. Hajj Qassem kept up with us on a daily and permanent basis. and I admit to you that even when we sometimes got tired or needed some rest, Hajj Qassem would tell us, ‘brothers you do not have a lot of time or the luxury of time. This is “Israel”, this is “Israel”.’

In 2006 when the aggression against Lebanon started, Hajj [Qassem] was in Tehran. He went to Syria and called us. He told us that he wanted to come to Beirut. We asked him how he wanted to come to Beirut when the roads and bridges are being bombed, and there was no possibility for him to get here.

He said, ‘I do not understand. I cannot bear to stay in Tehran or in Damascus. I have to get to you.’ So, we sent the brothers and Hajj was with us in Dahyeh [Beirut’s southern suburbs]. He stayed with us throughout the war. Today, we are in 2019-2020. Has anyone ever mentioned Hajj Qassem being with us during 2006 so we can take pride in his accomplishments and contributions? Not at all. He never spoke about that nor did we until a few months ago. There was an occasion, and it was mentioned.

So, he remained with us during the bombardment. He could have just stayed in Syria or Tehran, sent us money and weapons, communicated with the leadership and coordinated communication between the Syrian and Iranian leadership. But he insisted on being with us in the operations room. I argued with him, but he said that he would rather live and die with us. He remained with us during the war with all its difficulties until the August 14 ceasefire when it became clear that the war was ending. A few days earlier, it was clear that the war was going to stop. I had a discussion with him and the brothers. He said, ‘the war is going stop soon. And after it ends, I will leave for Tehran. What do you ask of me?’. We told him, ‘Haji when the war ends, the first challenge we face will be the displaced people, the destroyed homes and the people who will not have homes to return to. We need large sums of money and very fast to fund a [housing] project – which was called at the time Al-Iwaa – so that people do not stay on the streets. Two or three days after the war ends, we want to provide people with the financial means, so they rent homes throughout the year and buy furniture, modest furniture. We want to start the rebuilding process.’

This was indeed his absolute priority. The second day after he arrived in Tehran, he provided this support which allowed everyone to save face. No one remained in the streets or displaced. We returned to our homes and repaired them. There was also great Iranian support in the reconstruction process whether as a country or directly through our institutions. This is what Hajj did in 2006.

After 2006, he continued his efforts in providing more hope and broadening new and great horizons until the crises that ravaged Syria and later Iraq and everything taking place around us. I am still talking about Lebanon. I am not talking about Palestine. Praise be to God, the leaders of the Palestinian factions spoke fairly and realistically in the past few days. We thank them for it. Meanwhile, others spoke ill of him. As for me, I will talk about Lebanon where Hajj was present on the ground.

Our reading of what was going on in Syria was the same from the beginning. I would like to tell the Lebanese people something concerning Lebanon. Some try to underestimate the battle that took place along [Lebanon’s] eastern mountain range or the expulsion of Daesh [Arabic acronym for "ISIS" / "ISIL"] and the other [terrorist] organizations from Arsal and northern Bekaa. You know there are ridiculous people. They are basically ridiculous and undervalue the great accomplishments by asking how is this accomplishment great when there were only 1000 fighters in the Jaroud – half of which were Daesh and the other half belonged to Jabhat al-Nusra [the Nusra Front]? They are mocking this achievement. This is misleading. In fact, if Daesh had not been defeated in east Homs, Palmyra, al-Sukhnah and the Badia, would it have been possible to expel them from Jaroud Arsal and the eastern mountain range? They were all part of the same battle.

We Lebanese people need to understand each other. However, there are people who do not understand except by differentiating  between the Syrian and Lebanese borders. But the battle against Daesh that thwarted threats from Lebanon, the Lebanese people and all their areas, sects, villages, and cities was not just the battle taking place in the eastern mountain range or that in the Jaroud Arsal, which we call the second liberation. Rather, it was one battle that stretched from the Jaroud and the eastern mountain range to the east of Homs, east of Aleppo, to Deir Ezzor and to the east of the Euphrates.

During the battle against Daesh, Hajj Qassem was with us and our Syrian brethren, risking his life.

Lebanon used to be perceived in all occasions as the weakest link in the region and that the “Israelis” could take care of it using a musical band. Now, everything the resistance owns including the deterrent force, capabilities, experience and developments has made the “Israeli” officials state – I do not want to say whether I agree or disagree with their assessment – that the resistance has become a security threat to “Israeli settlements”. They also state that after 2006, it became what they called a central threat or a strategic threat to this entity.

In the past few months, they gave us a new rank. Following the issue of the precision missiles, the resistance became an existential threat [to the “Israeli” entity]. Today, the “Israelis” do not only see the resistance as capable of creating a balance in deterrence but also in protecting Lebanon and its natural resources including oil, gas and water. The enemy sees the resistance as an existential threat to its survival and entity. I tell you in all honesty. We never expected that a day will come when the enemy would see our Lebanese resistance in Lebanon, its capabilities, its human and material capabilities as an existential threat. “Israel” is not frightening its people. It is stating some sort of truth. This is first and foremost due to the blessings of the Islamic Republic of Iran, its leadership and the leadership of His Eminence Imam Khamenei as well as due to Imam Khamenei’s messenger Hajj Qassem Soleimani, who bore this responsibility and task with all dedication, love, honesty and loyalty.

Despite everything that he gave, he was with us. Our relationship was based on affection, brotherhood, love and humility. Never did Hajj Qassem demand gratitude or showed that we owed him for bringing us weapons money, provided training and aid, or being there with us during the July war. Never ever did he mention this publicly or behind closed doors. He never mentioned it to us or anyone else. He always said, ‘I am doing my duty. I am doing this in the cause of Allah and for Allah’s satisfaction. I hope this is my provisions on the Day of judgement when I meet Allah Almighty.’ He used to also say, ‘I am your servant.’ He was known to have said this phrase to the Lebanese, Iraqis, Syrians and the Palestinians. ‘I am in your service. I am your servant. What can I do for you?’ These are just examples when we talk about a model.

For more than 20 years, Hajj Qassem Soleimani never asked us for anything or ordered to us to do something neither did the Islamic Republic of Iran. Yes, one day Hajj Qassem Soleimani requested from us to lead operations to defend the Iraqi people during the beginning of the Daesh plight in Iraq. In other words, he asked us to do something for Iraq and not for Iran. Of course, the countries, regimes, armies and intelligence agencies in the world, parties, figures and elites that have relations with other countries and regimes would consider this request heavenly and imaginary! What you are telling us is from the world of divinity and heavenly! Yes, I am telling you about this world. No one can understand that there is a leadership, government and state in the Islamic Republic of Iran, in the time of Imam Khomeini and Imam Khamenei, that think about the oppressed people whose lands are being occupied. This state believes that as an Islamic country, it has responsibilities toward the people. They have religious, humanitarian and moral responsibilities. They believe that they should give a helping hand and not ask for gratitude or expect a thank you. They do not believe in asking it or ordering it to do anything. This is what the Americans and many in the world cannot comprehend.

That is why when they look at the resistance movements in the region, they call them Iranian tools. No, they are not Iranian tools. These are Iran's friends, Iran's allies and Iran's loved ones. They are not Iran’s tools. Iran refuses to look at them as tools or to deal with them as tools.

You heard what many of the leaders of the Palestinian factions said. I used to say this in secret. They, thank God, said it in public. They said that since 1998/1999, they had a relationship with Hajj Qassem, the same time we did. During these 20 years, Iran did not ask us anything. It did not ask the Palestinian resistance for anything. Yes, it asked them to resist [the occupation], to unite, to get along, to make liberating their land as their priority which was their cause.

But Iran never asked for anything, not even to defend it, or fight for it, or even to thank it. It did not ask anyone anything at all. This is the Islamic state. This is the Islamic system. This is the political Islam that many are trying to distort as a result of organizations like Daesh and others. This is the Islam that the Messenger of Allah Muhammad (peace be upon him and his household) delivered. A person, a country, a government or a people should stand beside the oppressed and the vulnerable and extend a helping hand according to their capacity. Of course, Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity. This is what the Islamic Republic did. And this is what Hajj Qassem Soleimani did with us. This is the model. When I talk about the Islamic jihadi military leader, this is what I mean. This top general is humble and loving. There is compassion and brotherhood. He was present at the battlefield, ready to be martyred. He was at the frontlines and at the dirt berms. This is the model.

In the coming days, God willing, the media will broadcast segments about Hajj Qassem or Hajj Abu Mahdi, the way they dealt with people, their humility towards people, the families of the martyrs, the children, the orphans, the ordinary fighters and their presence on the frontlines. All these present a model. Of course, we need to show this model.

We have very great figures in our Islamic history. There are also great military figures. But we only read about them in history. However, what Islam and the school of Imam Khomeini present to us today through martyred commander Hajj Qassem Soleimani and martyred leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis is a living model. A model we lived with and saw. This model was documented and was present in several fields and during the most difficult circumstances. This is also the same when I talk about Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. They have a lot of common traits, personal traits that I mentioned earlier. That is why his relationship with Hajj Qassem was that of love and soul. He considered himself Hajj Qassem’s apprentice. He considered himself Hajj Qassem’s soldier. He was the deputy head of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units (al-Hashd al-Shaabi). The Hashd has more than 120,000 Iraqi fighters. But one day during an interview, Hajj Abu Mahdi said ‘I am the son of Hajj Qassem’ – knowing that Hajj Abu Mahdi was older than him. ‘I am his soldier. I am his apprentice.’ Some Iraqis later reproached Abu Mahdi telling him how he could say that. Hajj Qassem was Iranian and you are the Deputy head of the PMU. He said, ‘I am an honest man, and I express my feelings. I feel that I am Hajj Qassem Soleimani’s son, apprentice and soldier. If you accept me like this, so be it. If you don’t accept me like this, this is your business.’

They humility, love, brotherhood and compassion for each other. That is why throughout their journey in jihad – be it before fighting Daesh or confronting Daesh – they were together. God Almighty chose that they be martyred together. This is not a coincidence. There is no mistake in assessment. It is not that Abu Mahdi was not paying attention. Why did Abu Mahdi go to the airport to welcome Hajj Qassem? Why? Knowing that he called Hajj Qassem who was here with us. Abu Mahdi called Hajj Qassem and told him, ‘Hajj don’t come to Baghdad. There is tension.’ But he went to the airport to welcome Hajj Qassem. In my opinion, Allah Almighty chose that these two leaders, who were brothers, lived together and had an exceptional and excellent spiritual relationship with each other, to be martyred together. He chose this martyrdom to have a great impact on the nation, on Iran and especially in Iraq. This martyrdom impacted how the Iraqi people felt when some of its leaders were martyred with Hajj Qassem. There were also others who were martyrd with Hajj Qassema and Abu Madhi. They were Iranians and Iraqis. Some of them were officers and high-ranking mujahideen. Their names, however, are not well-known. But the brother read their names a little while ago. In any case, we are not giving them enough justice. 

Let us talk about the Iraqi model. A few years back, Daesh took control of east of the Euphrates in Syria, large Syrian areas and a number of Iraqi provinces. When it was a few kilometers away from Baghdad and approaching Karbala, the rational and blessed religious authority in the holy city of Najaf issued the historic and famous jihadi fatwa. This fatwa needed leaders and men to implement it and embody it on the battlefields. Hajj Qassem Soleimani could have stayed in Tehran and send his officers, capabilities and weapon. The second day, Hajj Qassem was in Baghdad airport with his officers. They opened the borders to transfer capabilities. There was a huge conspiracy against Iraq.

I would like to remind the viewers and brothers present as well as the Iraqi people in particular. During those days, Daesh was and still is an American creation supported by a number of countries in the region. And if you recall, during the first weeks and months, the Gulf’s media outlets promoted Daesh’s "blessed revolution". It was given money and weapons, the borders, the media, fatwas and cover. There was sectarian incitement. Daesh was one of the most dangerous projects that befell Iraq and the region in general.

Hajj Qassem came to Baghdad. Taking into account Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis’s military history, his jihadist history and assuming previous responsibilities in the resistance work, the Iraqi officials’s trust in him and his strong relationship with the resistance factions, he was made one of the central leaders in this battle. Until the final hours when Hajj Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was martyred, the PMU was carrying out security clearance operations in some Iraqi provinces because Daesh took advantage of the recent internal events in Iraq to restart its operations, killings, ambushes and massacres against the Iraqis.

They made this as well as the defeat of Daesh in Iraq possible. Had it not been defeated in Iraq, Daesh would have taken control of Iraq. If Daesh triumphed in Iraq, it would have threatened all the countries in the region. The threat in Syria would have been greater. Daesh’s defeat in Iraq helped to a large extent in defeating Daesh in Syria. Had Daesh not been defeated in Iraq, Jordan would have been in danger. Kuwait would have been in danger. The Gulf states, which provided money, weapons, media coverage, fatwas, suicide bombers and killers to Daesh, as well as its governments and people would have been in danger. Iran would have been in danger. Turkey would have been in danger. It would have backfired on those who supported Daesh. But Qassem Soleimani, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, many Iranian, Iraqi and Lebanese leaders as well as many Iraqi fighters from various areas – but first and foremost were the Iraqis themselves – defeated Daesh. All the people in the region and not just the Iraqi people should thank the Hasd al-Shaabi. They should thank the leaders of the Hashd al-Shaabi as well as the security and military leadership. All the people in the region should thank Qassem Soleimani, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, their martyred brothers and those who are still alive who did not alter [the terms of their commitment] by any alteration. By fighting Daesh, they defended all the people of the region, from Lebanon to all the peoples of the region and preserved the region’s security and stability.

Look at what the remnants of Daesh are doing? Daesh still has remnants in Afghanistan, some in Iraq, in Nigeria and in North Africa. All you hear is killings, massacres and suicide bombings against mosques, churches and markets. Who is fighting them? These are among some of Trump's lies that I will talk about shortly.

In any case, this is the first topic. I believe I have said enough about Hajj Qassem and Hajj Abu Mahdi. I will conclude and say that they were a model of a responsible and loving Islamic leader who was always concerned [about the people’s welfare], worked day and night, diligent who knows no boredom and tiresome, humble and works for the cause of God Almighty and His satisfaction. And at the same time, he keeps an eye on his Hereafter. I ask God Almighty to compensate us for their loss. Thank God, in the Islamic Republic and Iraq there are senior leaders, military and non-military leaders, who will be able to fill this space with time, God willing, even though each of the leaders had their own personality and characteristics.

The second topic is related to some of the repercussions and results of this great martyrdom. I will quickly mention them.

• The first is the funeral procession in Iraq and its implications. I spoke about this last Sunday and how it restored unity and re-invigorated Iraq against what was prepared and planed for it. I will not repeat.
• The million-man funeral procession in Iran, from Ahwaz to Mashhad to Tehran to Qom to Kerman. As for the rest of the Iranian cities and provinces, there were massive demonstrations. The Iranian people took to the streets and squares.

I will talk a little about the funeral procession in Tehran and Ahwaz. We have always said that the funeral procession of Imam Khomeini was a unique case in history. In other words, since God created Adam (peace be upon him), there were great people including prophets, messengers, Imams or awliya, etc. who died and were martyred. But we have not witnessed in the history of mankind the same greatness, size and nature as that of Imam Khomeini’s more than thirty years ago. When I say size, it means the millions of people who showed affection, sorrow and pain and cried for the loss of this leader. The Iranian people expressed their love during Imam’s funeral procession.

What did the world see in Tehran during Hajj Qassem Soleimani’s funeral procession? Whether it was five million or seven million, both numbers indicate a massive crowd. To know whether it was more or less than that of the funeral procession of Imam [Khomeini], we need to be more accurate. apart from the funeral procession of Imam Khomeini, [Soleimani’s] funeral procession was unmatched in history. What was most striking – since I was watching like everyone else – that before sunrise and after dawn, the streets and main squares in Tehran were flooded with people. In other words, people performed the morning prayers and took to the squares and streets. They remained there throughout the day until after sunset when the coffins of the martyrs reached Azadi Square and were transferred to Qom. There were entire families who stayed for hours in the bitter cold expressing their anger and sorrow. They did not leave until the funeral procession left Tehran.

In fact, I would like to say that this funeral procession was unparalleled in history. Allow me to also say that there are no people in history like the Iranian people. I am not giving them a complement. Where on earth can you find a people ready to take to the streets, in the harsh cold and after morning prayers, with their families and remain until after sunset standing up to be among the millions of people taking part in this funeral procession of one of their leaders, one of their generals or one of their loved ones? And this same scene was repeated in Ahwaz, Mashhad, Qom and Kerman. Even in these provinces, it said that this was such an unprecedented scene in this history of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Iran has not seen something like this during Islamic Revolution protests, after the victory of the revolution, on Al-Quds Day, and other occasions. Young and old, men and women, bereaved, crying and angry flooded the squares. The government did not bring them. You can bring people to take to the streets, but you cannot make them cry for hours and express their sorrow and anger. This is a very great message. 

The funeral procession was a great message all the Iranian cities sent. I read analyses by some senior American experts stating that the funeral procession in Tehran terrified Trump and his administrations. I will discuss this subject when I talk about the Ain al-Asad strike. But allow me to talk a little about the funeral procession of Hajj Qassem Soleimani, Abu Mahdi and the rest of the martyrs when it came to the city of Ahwaz in Khuzestan Province. The brothers in Ahwaz said that Khuzestan has never seen this kind of crowd in its entire history. Never ever in Khuzestan’s history, its past and its present. What is the significance about this huge million-man crowd in Khuzestan? It sends a very strong message. The message is directed at some regimes in the Gulf that are conspiring against the Islamic Republic of Iran and are trying to exploit the ethnic, national, Arab and sectarian sentiments in Khuzestan and Ahwaz. They are trying to exploit the difficult circumstances in Khuzestan. They along with their American and western masters are pinning great hopes on this.

When I saw the funeral of Hajj Qassem in Khuzestan, I told al-Saud, these wretched Gulf regimes and their American and western masters, that the following verse {This day those who disbelieve have despaired of [defeating] your religion.} applies to the Islamic Republic today. If I wanted to apply it, I would say ‘This day those who disbelieve in your state, government and the possibility of defeating you have despaired.’ This is Khuzestan’s message. No one should underestimate it. It is a very strong, important and significant message.

In any case, what we saw in Iran makes people feel that we are witnessing a new birth of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, the concepts of the revolution, its sentiments and its values. This is because of the blessing of this pure blood. This is not only in Khuzestan but also from all over Iran. I tell you that the sight of the funeral processions in Iran and with the blessing of this pure blood, I believe, has put the Americans as well as others who are betting on sanctions, incitement and sedition in Iran in deadly despair. For example, today or yesterday a few hundred in one of the Iranian universities took to the streets to protest the downing of the Ukrainian plane and the managing of the situation. It should be known that there has never been an experience in the past when one of the countries in the world admits the downing of a plane by a missile due to human error within a couple of days and says the truth without hiding anything or arguing. This is transparency and courage. Such clarity is unprecedented in the world. Despite this, some tried to exploit it. Trump tweeted on this protest. For sure he saw the millions but did not say anything, the millions that took to the streets chanting death to him and to his administration as well as his criminal murderers. 

In any case, this blood has many significances. For one, it fortified the Islamic Republic from the inside. This blood revived it, rejuvenated it, unified it again and provided it with a strong immunity once again. This is very important in the context of the existing conflict and the existing targeting, especially in recent years by the United States of America.

Another significance of this great martyrdom is that it gave the values of jihad, steadfastness, martyrdom, resistance, sacrifice, morals, values, sincerity and dedication for the sake of the oppressed and the vulnerable a great and strong push that transcended the borders. They have worked hard to abolish and ridicule these values in the past decades.

Brothers and sisters, you know that there is a huge cultural and media effort in the world to ridicule and mock anything related to jihad, mujahid, martyrdom, martyr, resistance and defiance. Some ridiculous people in Lebanon call us the ‘forces of defiance’ when they want to mock us. Dedication and sacrificing for others. Are you sacrificing yourself for the sake of others?! Go home and take care of your house and family.

Islam, the Islamic Revolution and Imam Khomeini’s school is giving such a world, Hajj Qassem Soleimani whose wife and children rarely saw even though he had much love and a very strong relationship with his family. He could have stayed with his family, but he spent most of his life on the fronts, in the squares and in service of the mujahideen and the oppressed and defending the vulnerable. Hajj Abu Mahdi had the same values. He could have stayed with his wife and daughters, but he spent a large part of his life in jihad. This is what we are presenting today.

On the contrary, what is the culture that the Americans and their people brought to our Arab world? [They brought the concept of] what is Lebanon’s business in Palestine? What is Lebanon’s business in Syria? What is Syria’s business in Iraq? What is Iran’s business in Iraq? And what is Iraq’s business in Palestine? Or what is this person’s business with that person? And you people in Lebanon, who appointed you to defend Lebanon, liberate it and free the detainees in Lebanon?

Isn’t this the culture they want to spread and implement? This great martyrdom revived the culture of resistance, jihad, sacrifice, dedication and generosity. Even in Lebanon, I received this week many messages from brothers, leaders, and officials in the resistance requesting permission to carry out [self-sacrificing] martyrdom operations. This great martyrdom created these sentiments or at the very least pushed them back to the surface.

This is the last point regarding this topic. One of the important significances of this martyrdom is that it reminded our peoples, governments and states the true face of America. Despite everything the US does in our region, some insist that America is the support of states and people as well as the guarantor for safety and stability. However, it is the total opposite. This great and unjust martyrdom [assassination] executed by the US army and publicly adopted by Trump and his administration – when they kill our leaders and finest brothers in this brutal and criminal manner – exposes America’s crimes it has committed in our region. It puts the US in the spotlight and puts it back in its right and natural place, which is the first and true enemy, the great Satan, the head of tyranny, corruption, hegemony and oppression. This must be strongly planted in people's culture and rooted in their conscience and understanding.

America has committed many crimes in the past and current centuries. It has killed millions of people and launched wars. I do not want to count these wars. Anybody can find the wars it had launched and the millions it had killed in the world. The biggest criminal in the world is the United States of America and the successive American governments. Meanwhile, in our region, there is “Israel” that is occupying Palestine. “Israel” launched wars and committed massacres before and after 1948 until this day. All the injustices befalling the Palestinian people as well as the people in the region comes from the Zionist entity. The consecutive US administrations, the Great Satan, are the first country to protect it and support it. America brought the Takfiri terrorism to our country. Trump himself admitted this.

The Americans created Daesh and brought it to our region to destroy our people, our societies, our armies, our governments, our states, our culture, our history, as well as our past, present and future. Every suicide operation carried out anywhere in the Islamic world, every massacre committed in a mosque or church must have the label ‘made in America’. Daesh is an American tool the US uses to dominate, control and a pretext to return to the region. Civil wars, internal strife and internal conflicts are created by the US. We should not make a mistake when identifying our people and nation’s real enemy.

Every country that does not reach the conclusion that the US poses a danger and threat to its national security does not know the requirements of its own national security. It is either ignorant or hiding due to fear and cowardice. America is the first threat, and “Israel” is just an American tool, an American military barracks in our region. However, the main threat to the national security of every country and every people is the United States of America. The number one plunderer of our country’s oil, gas, and goods and in our region is the United States of America. This is one of the repercussions and results of this great martyrdom.

We’ll come back to this topic – the response or the just retribution that we spoke about on Sunday and which His Eminence the Leader as well as Iranian and Iraqi officials and resistance factions in the region – shortly. The response to the American crime that led to the martyrdom of Hajj Qassem Soleimani, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and their brothers is not a single operation but rather a course of action. This course of action is long and must lead to end the US military presence in our region, in the Middle East region or as His Eminence the Leader likes to call it the west Asia area. This is the response. Hence the response is not just one operation. What happened in Ain al-Asad was a slap and not the response Hajj Qassem’s martyrdom. The one who wants to debate or approach the operation against Ain al-Asad and say that this is the response is completely mistaken. His Eminence the Leader called it a slap to the American forces and American bases. It is just a slap on this long course. It is a strong military start. It is a first strong and seismic start on a long course of action to this crime which comes at the forefront of the crimes committed by the US in the region, and which, as I said, should lead to ending the American military presence in our region.

I would like to talk a little about this slap. Then, I will talk about the course of action. First regarding this slap. This slap was when the missile force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards targeted Ain al-Asad base a few nights ago. The main target was Ain al-Asad base. The IRGC struck the base in Erbil with one or two missiles to send a ‘morale message’. The military target was at Ain al-Asad base. A few kilometers away, a number of missiles struck the base hitting their targets. The US Secretary of War admitted that the missiles hit their targets. This event was a huge and world-shaking. We were keeping pace with everything night and day. This event put the whole region on the brink of war.

I would like to talk about the implications of this slap and strike. Of course, from the early hours, the media, some American media and the Arab and Gulf media, which are more American than the Americans themselves began paving the way for the American position. And I have since understood that Trump will swallow the matter and be silent when he said that there were no casualties. The Americans downplayed and devalued the slap. This is something they are used to. But if we wanted to be fair and talk about this slap, first we can say that this slap was a great military strike. It shows the unrivaled courage of the Iranian leadership and the Iranian people who stand behind their leadership, unspeakable courage. Who are you talking about? As experts and analysts said in the past few days, an American base and US forces coming under missile attacks has not taken place since WWII ended.

We are talking about a state, not an organization or a resistance movement. The US Marines were in Beirut. We are talking about a state, a country that has a government, officials, army, guards, refineries, factories, airports, and ports. It has something to lose as they say. This decision expresses unparalleled courage and boldness.

Since the end of WWII, who on this earth dared to stand up to America and hit it with missiles, hit one of its bases with missiles, who dared? Especially during the past few days when US officials threatened. And you all remember Trump’s tweet if you hit, if you do this, I will respond very fast and very hard. He even identified 52 Iranian sites including cultural sites. Now, it appeared that he has doubled down on his threat. The Iranian leadership took all this into account when they made the decision to strike.

Thus, the first significance of this slap and strike is boldness and courage. That is, O Americans and its allies in the region, you are confronting this leadership, regime and people. Do not assume that they might get scared, weaken, backdown or feel defeated. Never! Not at all!

This was the most powerful decision – perhaps after the departure of Imam [Khomeini] – in the life of His Eminence the Leader. I do not want to give descriptions. But the fact is when we look at this decision, we find a high degree of courage. You and I know what it means to make such a decision. It may result in dangerous reactions and may take them to war.

The second thing is that this blow and this slap revealed the strength of the Iranian military capabilities because there is always someone trying to attenuate these capabilities. There are people who are despicable to begin with, and they love to be despicable and despise themselves. They do not accept that there are strong people in this nation and that this nation is powerful or that there is someone in this nation who will do what he promised.

This strike revealed the truth regarding the Iranian military capabilities. The missiles are 100% Iranian-made. They were not

purchased from arms companies in the United States of America and not paid for from the hundreds of millions of dollars of the Iranian people's money. This is an Iranian production. The experts are Iranian, and they do not need any foreign expert. Setting the targets, positioning and the procedural operation were carried out by Iranian officers and soldiers who are not hired by the Americans or anyone else, as is the case of some countries.

The decision was Iranian. The weapon was Iranian. The implementation was Iranian. And the missiles hit their targets accurately. The US Secretary of War said that 11 missiles landed inside the base hundreds of kilometers away from Iran.

What does this mean for America? It means that all American bases in the region are accurately in the crosshairs of the Iranian missiles, knowing that the Islamic Republic has missiles that are more accurate than these but did not use them. Put them aside.

Despite being in a state of high alert and anticipating an Iranian response, the Americans could not shoot down these missiles. And this is the case for all their bases.

This is a message to everyone who conspires with America against Iran. This is a strong message to the Zionist entity, which has always contemplated playing with Iran. Netanyahu, who always dreamed of sending his air force to strike some nuclear establishments or reactors in Iran and was always opposed by the military and security officials in the Zionist entity, wants to create glory, but the ‘fool’ does not know where to take his entity.

This strike’s message is a powerful one directed at the Zionists. When they hear the threats of His Eminence the Leader or Iranian officials towards the “Israeli” entity, it should take these threats seriously.

This is what “Israeli” analysts and experts read in the past few days. The missile attacks took place in Ain al-Asad in Iraq, but the implication for the Zionist entity is that this is what awaits you should you attack Iran, conspire against Iran, or threaten Iran. Iran possesses this ability and this power.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, this blow is very great and very important. Now, whether there were casualties or not will be evident in the coming days.

Yesterday, CNN’s correspondent entered [Ain al-Asad base] and showed footage. She said this was the site of one missile which caused massive destruction to the base.

The soldiers were sent to the shelters. But weren’t there guards and monitors?

In any case, the magnitude of the military damage is enormous. There is talk about very sophisticated radars, equipment, aircraft, bases. In any case, whether there were casualties or not, this strike in itself and in this way had these implications.

One of its implications is breaking the American prestige. the Ain al-Asad strike broke America's prestige in the eyes of its friends and enemies. Yes, the Americans were dealt a blow in the past few days. They stood on one foot and a half. Yes, they stood on one foot and a half. These are the Americans. This is what Iran has done in the past few days.

Therefore, one of the mishaps that the “Israelis” are talking about is the fact that Trump might seriously withdraw from Iraq and from the region and leave them alone. This is a dominant topic in the enemy's entity.

The American prestige was broken. And what was the American response? It doubled down on its threats. What was the reason? It was as if to tell the Americans to rest assured that there were no casualties. Who are you?! You are America. That was a military base housing thousands of American soldiers who hid in shelters and withdrew. They lived in a state of extreme terror. One of your bases came under missile attacks which were claimed by a state. Your equipment, planes and radars were destroyed. And this was it. They ignores the strike.

In Lebanon, we have a long experience in this. Look at the press conference he held in the morning. the vice president, the secretary of state, the secretary of defence and the leaders of the US army came out and he followed. What did their faces suggest? Did they suggest that America was victorious, capable and has the upper hand? Or did it seem like there was a funeral in the White House?

These were their faces. Go back and take a look at them. And then he spoke about a different topic. As long as I am president, Iran will not possess nuclear weapons and will not acquire nuclear weapons. Iran does not want a nuclear weapon. What is this foolishness? He spoke about something else completely and ignore the strike. He clearly stated that we will not use military force. We will resort to sanctions. Why? Simply, brothers and sister, because Iran is strong. It is courageous and powerful.

I am sure that what the military advisors told him when he met with them at night prevented Trump from responding. They told him that ‘if you want to respond to Iran now, we have bases in the entire region. the Iranians have prepared their missile, and all our bases in the region will be targeted.’ The Iranians have informed America’s mediators and they have announced to that if you respond to our strike, we will hit all your bases in the region. we will strike “Israel”. The military officials told him that ‘we are not able to protect our bases. Ain al-Asad base in an example. This might roll into war.’

So now who is saying that Trump wants to go to war? In addition to this there is the funeral procession in Iran. you should not underestimate this. The funeral processions are part of this massive message of strength – the decision to respond is not up to the leader or the state officials but rather the Iranian people. This is the aspiration of the Iranian people who are prepared to go to war to defend their honor and to avenge their great martyr Hajj Qassem Soleimani.

Therefore, he simply withdrew, doubled down on his threats and issued another statement without any threats, and of course to repeat his lies – I call Iran to negotiate. I call on Iran to cooperate. I call on Iran to cooperate in common grounds like fighting Daesh. Who speaks in this way? The one whose forces in Ain al-Asad came under attack by 11 missiles.

You big hypocrite. You want to fight Daesh when you have killed the two top leaders in the region who have fought Daesh and defeated them. You made Daesh happy by killing them. Or when he tells the Iranian people that I want you to prosper. What a liar! You want the Iranian people to prosper, and you are imposing sanctions and the most severe siege in Iran’s history.

Then, elsewhere, not in the press conference but in his speeches and interviews, he repeats his lies to the American public because he wants to present an argument. The American public is asking him: Where did you take us? What did you drag us to?

In any case, because of the outfit I am wearing and since I am a religious scholar, it is inappropriate of me to bring you the picture. But I recommend that you look at a caricature published by The Washington Post, The Washington Post’s comics comment on the Iranian missiles targeting Ain al-Asad and Trump's positions.

To validate the argument, [Trump] he says ‘I ordered the killing of Soleimani because he was planning to bomb US embassies in the region.’ He is a liar. He is lying to his people. And he is known as the biggest liar in US history. He is the worst liar as president. All of them [US presidents] are liars, but Trump is by far the worst in the history of the United States.

Hajj Qassem Soleimani never was planning to bomb US embassies, never! It was never his plan. It did not even occur to him. These are Trump’s lies. He is telling them to cover up the real reason behind committing this crime.

In any case, this American retreat and this Iranian slap should be a lesson for everyone to be courageous and confident in their capabilities. They should also believe and be aware that no matter how great and tremendous the American power is, there are limitations and disciplines. There are circumstances that the American decision-maker is subject to here or there. However, this is a slap on the course.

I move to the last topic which is the rest of the course of action. I will talk quickly about two things. The first is related to Iraq. Why Iraq? Because Iraq is the crime scene. After Iran, Iraq has the priority in responding to the crime. For one, the crime was executed on Iraqi soil, under Iraqi sovereignty and on Baghdad airport road. Second, the crime targeted an official and top Iraqi commander. He was the deputy head of the Hash al-Shaabi which is the official forces. Third, it targeted Hajj Qassem Soleimani as well as his Iranian brothers who were defending the Iraqi people.

Iraq has the right to respond to the crime following the Iranian response. The first response was the funeral procession of the martyrs and the positions issued by the religious authority, scholars, political forces, the hawzas and the Iraqi people.

The second response was the position of the prime minister and the Iraqi parliament. Here, I wish from Mr. Masoud Barzani to show gratitude to Hajj Qassem Soleimani as he admitted a few years ago. You must show gratitude to him today. When Daesh was nearing Erbil, the Kurdistan region almost fell into its hands and after getting no help from the friend you called, you contacted the Iranians. He [Soleimani] came the next day. You admitted this and said that he came with his brothers. I tell you more. There were also brothers from Hezbollah who went to Erbil with him. They told me that Masoud Barzani was trembling. His hands were trembling out of fear and terror. But Hajj Qassem Soleimani’s presence and the Islamic Republic standing by your side, thwarted that unprecedent danger in the Kurdish region away from you.

Today you are responsible to be grateful to him. You have the responsibility to be part of the response alongside the Iraqi government, parliament and forces.

In any case, one of the most important examples of the true response is expelling the US forces from Iraq. The Iraqi parliament took a decision closer to this step. This decision is much appreciated. It is a great, courageous and important decision. Prime Minister Mr. Adel Abdul-Mahdi is courageously sincerely following up on the implementation of this decision. He publicly asked Pompeo to send envoys to negotiate the mechanisms of the withdrawal of the US forces. The Iraqi leaders are following up on this matter. If the Iraqi leaders and people continue with this until the end, it would the best response to this heinous crime.

Hajj Qassem and Abu Mahdi aspired for a day when Iraq is free from occupation, clear from terrorism sponsored by the occupation officers and its helicopters that transport Daesh leaders and commanders from one province to another. This was their most precious wish. This is the responsibility of the Iraqi people. If the Americans do not withdraw, the Iraqi people should decide how to address the forces of occupation. The resistance factions know how to deal with the occupation forces. Of course, we have to keep in mind that the US administration will try to disrupt the historical stance of the Iraqi people by playing on the internal differences, intimidations, sanctions and confiscating Iraq’s deposits in America. The US is giving the Iraqi people two choices. If you forced me to leave, I will punish you and confiscate your money. Or you allow me to stay, occupy your land and plunder your oil and natural resources. So, it is up to you. This is what Trump wants in Iraq. He wants your oil and to control your country. It is up to the Iraqis to choose.

The other thing which is the final topic.  The fourth point which is the rest of the axis of resistance’s course of action. Following the Ain al-Asad slap and the current development in Iraq, God willing, I believe that the axis of resistance should start work. What was said a few days ago by everyone is not talk to local use. It is not to absorb the blow that befell the axis of resistance. It is not to give people morale. No.

The resistance is serious, honest and purposeful about accomplishing the objective it has set. The coming days, weeks and months will prove this. As I have said, it is a long course. The American should take their bases, soldiers, officers and ships out of our region. They have to leave. What is the alternative? I will say the opposite of what I have said on Sunday. The alternative for leaving vertically [standing up] – I said they came vertically – is leaving horizontally. This is the alternative. This is a firm and decisive decision by the resistance axis. It is only a matter of time. There matter will not be taken lightly. Do not imagine that this grave incident, this great martyrdom and this pure blood that was shed will be forgotten within weeks, months or years. No, we are talking about the beginning of a new stage, a new battle, and a new era in the region. Only time will tell.

I need not confirm this position more than this. This is the nation’s responsibility, the whole nation’s. I am confident of the spirituality, the will, the courage, the great preparedness, the awareness and the understanding of the existing threats that are present across the Arab and Islamic world.

The US administration and the killers who committed this crime and other crimes in our region and countries will pay highly. They will discover that they have miscalculated. 

After the martyrdom of Hajj Qassem Soleimani and Hajj Abu Mahdi, I heard Trump, Vice President [Mike] Pence, the US secretary of state, the war secretary, the national security advisor and a group of Republican senators say that the world is safer after killing Soleimani. You are mistaken. You will discover that you have made a mistake. When blood is spilt you will discover which world is safer. The world of the people whose lands are occupied, the world of the oppressed, the world of the Palestinian, Lebanese, Syrian, Iraqi, Afghani, Pakistani, Yemeni, Bahraini and the people of the region. You are talking about the world of the Zionists, the world of the oppressors. The coming days will reveal to you that after the martyrdom of Soleimani, it will be a different world where these tyrants, murderers and criminals will never be safe.

I will stop here. in any case, this is a continuous occasion. It carries on with time and developments. I said this is no ordinary occasion. It is the beginning of a new history in our region. we will talk more later, God willing. Today, I thank the attendees. We consider this attendance as an expression of our gratitude to Hajj Qassem Soleimani, Hajj Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the Islamic Republic of Iran, His Eminence the Leader, the Iranian officials and the Iranian people. We thank them for their support and sacrifices. One of their greatest sacrifices is the presence of Hajj Qassem Soleimani among us. He could have been killed any moment while he was on the road or in during the July war or at any stage.

I ask God Almighty to accept from them [their efforts] and all of yours as well. We pledge to continue on this path until these goals are achieved. This blood will not be spilled in vain. It will achieve its goals, and its message will reach the whole world.

May God reward you. Peace and Allah’s mercy and blessings be upon you.