Iran’s acting defense minister, Brigadier General Majid Ibn Reza, says the massive turnout at the funeral of martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei is a “strategic asset” for the Islamic Republic’s defense and deterrence capabilities.
In a message following the funeral ceremonies for late Ayatollah Khamenei on Friday, Ibn Reza praised the Iranian people and the wider Muslim nations for their participation in the “historic epic”.
“Undoubtedly, this astonishing and glorious presence is the greatest social capital of the Islamic Republic of Iran, a strategic backing for the country’s defense power and deterrence, and a lasting asset for continuing the path and legacy of the martyred Leader,” he said.
He added that no power will be able to undermine such a capital.
He emphasized that the “unparalleled epic” of the Iranian nation in the funeral ceremonies was a display of national power and a “declaration of the defeat of the greatest conspiracy and extensive psychological operation of the empire of deception” in the face of world public opinion.
“The enemies had assumed they could shake the pillars of the nation’s authority through the cowardly assassination of the martyred Leader, commanders, scientists, and a group of innocent Iranian people,” the acting defense minister said.
However, he reiterated, the stunning and million-strong turnout of Muslim nations shattered the enemies’ calculation.
Ibn Reza extended his gratitude to the great Iranian people and the friendly Iraqi nation, who fully fulfilled their fraternal duty in this spiritual.
He also thanked the great Islamic Ummah, the resistance front, neighboring countries and foreign delegations who expressed solidarity with Iran and demonstrated their abhorrence of the enemies’ crimes.
The acting minister noted that the Defense Ministry views the historic presence as a great trust for the country’s future.
He emphasized that the Ministry of Defense will employ all its capabilities to preserve the valuable heritage of the great Iranian nation, enhance defensive power, strengthen deterrence, safeguard national security, and protect the dignity of the Islamic Republic.
His message came after organizers in Iraq announced that more than 10 million mourners had taken part in funeral processions held in the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala on Wednesday.
According to the committee overseeing the ceremonies, the gatherings concluded smoothly and without major security incidents despite the massive crowds.
According to official estimates cited by Fars News Agency, between 41-43 million people participated in the six-day grand farewell and burial rites for the revered Leader, which were held across five cities — Tehran, Qom, Najaf, Karbala, and Mashhad — making them the largest of their kind in the world’s modern history.
