IRGC Chief Pledges Justice for Martyr Leader, Vows Resistance Will Continue

The commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has said that Iran and the resistance front will continue the mission of the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and will keep demanding justice against those responsible for his assassination.

In a statement released on Friday, the commander praised the week-long funeral ceremonies held in Iran and Iraq. He said the large crowds showed the strong relationship between the people and their leadership.

He said, “Wilayat al-Faqih [Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist] means that after 47 years of governance, you are bid farewell by an ocean of your nation’s tears.”

The commander thanked the Iranian people for their support and described them as strong, aware and loyal. He also appreciated the officials and organizers for their “wise management, sound planning and tireless efforts” in making sure the funeral ceremonies were held peacefully and respectfully.

The funeral ceremonies ended in the holy city of Mashhad after several days of mourning in Tehran, Qom, Najaf and Karbala.

Millions of people gathered in Mashhad on Thursday as the body of the martyred leader and his family members was taken through the streets before burial at the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (AS). Visitors from many countries also joined the final farewell, while large gatherings had already taken place in Najaf and Karbala.

According to official estimates quoted by Fars News Agency, between 41 million and 43 million people attended the six-day funeral ceremonies across five cities, making it the largest funeral procession in recorded history.

The IRGC commander said the huge public turnout showed the nation’s loyalty to the ideals of the Islamic Revolution. He also described the gatherings as a symbol of unity among nations standing together “under the red banner of Imam Hussein (AS)” against the front of “arrogance and disbelief.”

He said the blood of the martyred leader had become “a gushing spring of awakening, dignity, strength and solidarity” for the Islamic Ummah and would strengthen the determination of people to continue his path.

The commander also said the United States and the enemies of the Islamic Revolution would not succeed in achieving their goals through the assassination.

He said, “The criminal leaders of America and all the enemies of the Islamic Revolution and the resistance front must know that by the cowardly assassination of this divine leader, they will never be able to extinguish the divine light, weaken the will of faithful nations, or bring down the banner of resistance.”

He added that seeking justice and punishing “the perpetrators, those who ordered and those who supported this crime” would remain “a definite, legitimate and unforgettable demand.”

The commander said this demand would continue “until full justice is achieved and an appropriate response is given to the criminals, especially the child-killing American army,” adding that it would never be forgotten by the Islamic Ummah or the resistance front.

According to the statement, Martyr Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and members of his family were assassinated in a terrorist attack on February 28, which it said was carried out by the United States and the Zionist regime against the leader’s residence.