In a message released on September 28 marking Sacred Defense Week and the second anniversary of the martyrdom of former Hezbollah secretary general Seyed Hassan Nasrallah, Ayatollah Khamenei said the eight-year Sacred Defense transformed Iran and strengthened the Islamic Republic in the face of foreign pressure and aggression.

The Leader said the years preceding the Islamic Revolution were marked by foreign domination, dependence and the intervention of Western powers in Iran’s affairs, adding that the Revolution led by Imam Khomeini (RA) ended that situation and established the Islamic Republic.

Ayatollah Khamenei described the imposed war launched by the Baathist regime of Iraq as a major effort by Iran’s adversaries in the first decade of the Islamic Republic to reverse the course of the Revolution. He said Iran emerged from the war stronger and more resilient, a pattern that continued through subsequent crises and conflicts.

Ayatollah Khamenei contrasted Iran’s situation in the early years after the victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution with its current position, saying the country had once inherited limited means to defend itself but has since developed the capabilities to confront its adversaries. The Leader said Iran today enjoys greater progress, independence and standing in the Islamic world.

“The past days that our enemy wishes to return have passed and will never be repeated,” the Leader said, stressing that the country’s future would be stronger as a result of the experiences and legacy of the Islamic Revolution and the Sacred Defense.

The Leader also referred to Iran’s ongoing tensions with its adversaries in the region, including developments involving the Strait of Hormuz. He said those who once sought to dominate Iran have been forced to confront the country’s military capabilities, adding that Iran’s defense capabilities have fundamentally changed the balance compared with previous decades.

The Leader further praised the participation of different segments of Iranian society in supporting the country’s defense and said women have increasingly demonstrated a prominent role in courageous public participation. He also emphasized that various social groups have stood behind Iran’s legitimate positions, including its stance on the Strait of Hormuz.

Ayatollah Khamenei said the country’s current achievements should also be viewed in light of the sacrifices of Imam Khomeini (RA) and martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, whose leadership contributed to Iran’s present standing. He added that their legacy would help shape a stronger future.

The Leader then paid tribute to Seyed Hassan Nasrallah on the second anniversary of his martyrdom, describing him as a prominent figure of the resistance front and a sincere advocate of the Lebanese people and the cause he represented.

He praised Nasrallah’s speeches and actions, saying they strengthened the resolve of his supporters and Resistance forces and raised Lebanon’s standing in the region. Ayatollah Khamenei also highlighted Nasrallah’s role in the history of the resistance and said his legacy continues under Hezbollah Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem.

He said the current period in Lebanon would remain an important chapter in the history of the resistance, adding that the sacrifices of Nasrallah, Seyed Hashem Safieddine and other Resistance fighters would continue to influence future generations.

Ayatollah Khamenei concluded by expressing hope that, through divine assistance, the Iranian people and the Resistance Front would continue to achieve “victory, triumph and dignity,” while their adversaries would face defeat and humiliation.