In commemoration of the funeral of the two martyred secretaries-general of Hezbollah, Khamenei.ir is pleased to publish, for the first time, the full text of an interview that was conducted with Martyr Hujjat al-Islam Sayyid Hashem Safieddine during the 40th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran. In this interview, Martyr Safieddine shares memories about the relationship between Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Imam Khamenei.
Question: To begin with, I would appreciate it if you could kindly introduce yourself so that we can discuss how you came to know Imam Khamenei. After that, we will address various important milestones that Hezbollah has encountered in the years following the Revolution. As we reach the 40th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution’s victory, we can also highlight the measures taken by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution during this period and the achievements that have emerged from these measures.
S. H. Safieddine: The 40th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution is a valuable, grand, and wonderful occasion. I offer my congratulations on this occasion to you, His Eminence the Leader, the people of Iran, and the entire Islamic world. We must express our gratitude and thanks to God, as 30 years have passed under the leadership of Imam Khamenei (may his presence endure) in this great responsibility. The period that has passed, during which he has held this position, in itself, demonstrates his competence. His existence, leadership, and guidance all embody divine blessings. We should be thankful to God for granting us such a blessing and for enabling the Iranian nation and the entire Islamic world to benefit from a divine leadership like that of Imam Khamenei.
In terms of my personal insights into the character of His Eminence the Leader, I must say that during the initial stages of Hezbollah’s establishment, I was in the holy city of Qom, studying as a seminary student in the Islamic Republic. As a student, I was learning religious sciences from professors and scholars, but since the period of Hezbollah's formation was a very difficult stage, my attachment to Hezbollah led me to closely follow the developments in Lebanon from the very beginning.
During that period, I was closely monitoring all the details and issues related to the establishment of Hezbollah and the formation of resistance activities alongside a group of brothers in Qom who were involved in Hezbollah’s formation. My personal acquaintance with the Leader [Imam Khamenei] was not through a personal meeting, but rather through my presence in Qom and my commitment to Hezbollah and issues pertaining to the Islamic Republic. It has been and is my honor to be aligned with the blessed path of the Wilayat-e Faqih [Guardianship of the Jurist] and the path of Imam Khomeini (ra). Since my time in the Islamic Republic, I had been observing the honorable Leader’s personality and, like every other person in Qom, I became familiar with his character and followed the issues related to the Islamic Republic throughout its challenging years. I was in Iran about 20 days before he was elected as president.
During my stay in Iran, I learned Farsi and observed the transformations of Iran under the courageous and wise leadership of Sayyid Ali Khamenei, and prior to that, under the leadership of Imam Khomeini (ra). I was quite captivated by Imam Khamenei’s Friday prayer sermons, since he was a disabled survivor [of a failed terrorist attack], a scholar, and a Sayyid, and I found the language of his sermons to be imbued with a profound and broad cultural depth. At that time, we heard a lot about the axis that Sayyid Ali Khamenei represented as president. His political presence on a global scale, as well as his active and powerful presence on the battlefield, was tangible. He was seriously involved in these fields.
During the early stages of Hezbollah’s formation, I would consistently follow the developments taking place in Lebanon. During that period, Imam Khomeini (ra) had entrusted the responsibility of overseeing Hezbollah’s affairs to His Eminence the Leader, Sayyid Ali Khamenei. I was keeping track of the situation in Lebanon but had no direct contact with him. After Imam Khomeini (ra) passed away and the leadership [of the Islamic Revolution] was entrusted to His Eminence the Leader, I returned to Lebanon and, as a member of the Hezbollah Council, I directly followed things up. Of course, I am referring to the 1990s, not the 1980s.
Question: At the beginning of the Islamic Revolution, when the Islamic Revolution took shape in Iran and the Islamic Republic was established, the United States and Zionism devised and anticipated extensive and long-term plans for Iran, West Asia, and the broader Islamic world. The Islamic Revolution disrupted their plans, yet they remained determined to implement their policies by any means necessary. Please provide a brief overview of what the United States and Zionism intended to execute in West Asia, so we can understand what transpired under the leadership of Imam Khamenei that prevented their policies and plans from reaching the desired outcome.
S. H. Safieddine: One of the measures that Imam Khomeini (ra) took at the beginning of the Islamic Revolution’s victory was to challenge US projects in the region and to cut off America's influence from Iran and the Islamic world. This was a difficult confrontation in different places. The eight-year war of the Islamic Republic [the Iran-Iraq war] was, in fact, the depth of such a confrontation. This war was desired by the United States and executed by Saddam and some of the countries around the Persian Gulf. This war was essentially America's project to tighten the noose around the Islamic Republic and to bring an end to its existence. As we all know, the US was doing all it could to prevent the Iranian people from achieving victory, but they [the Iranian nation] succeeded.
After the victory [of the Revolution], the US decided to besiege Iran and contain it. Throughout the eight years of war against the Islamic Republic of Iran, the enemies found Imam Khomeini steadfast and resolute. With his deep knowledge of jurisprudence, mysticism, and intellect, as well as his immense will and courage, he established a revolutionary force known as the "Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps." Additionally, Imam Khomeini (ra) created the Basij forces and brought forth the hidden potential of the Iranian nation in intellectual, rational, scientific, and similar areas.
I believe that the Americans, in their long-term confrontation with the newly established Islamic Republic at the time, fell into despair and lost hope against Imam Khomeini (ra). Throughout the eight years of the Imposed War, not only did Imam [Khomeini] take part in the battle himself, but he also did something to ensure that all segments of the nation were present in the battlefield. Imam Khomeini (ra) mobilized all segments of society, including women, men, and children, to join in the war against the American project of Saddam and the Arab countries along the Persian Gulf.
After Imam Khomeini’s demise, the US felt that Iran was becoming unstable. It believed that the Imam was the backbone of the Islamic Republic, and that after him, this backbone was dislocated, and the Islamic Republic would be susceptible to disintegration. Because of this, America's desire to infiltrate the Islamic Republic increased. Naturally, their previous attempts to challenge the Islamic Republic had failed, and neither the blockade nor the tightening of the noose around Iran had weakened the country.
So, to put it briefly, the Americans had lost hope in confronting the Imam, but after his passing, they found hope that they could count on destabilizing Iran and its internal divisions. The Americans calculated that following the Imam's demise, Iran would be preoccupied with its internal political and social situation. Their assessment was that under such circumstances, they could, as the leader of the global economy, place Iran under an economic siege and then follow it up with social, cultural, and intellectual isolation both within the country and abroad, in order to ultimately overthrow the ruling system.
One of the main issues during this period was the leadership of His Eminence the Leader (may his presence endure). I clearly remember that during that time, amidst the immense sorrow and mourning in Iran following the passing of Imam Khomeini, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei appeared on television and recited the verse: "Muhammad (pbuh) is only a messenger; [other] messengers have passed before him. If he dies or is slain, will you turn back on your heels?" (Quran 3:144). He then stated that the Iranian nation is strong and its steps will not falter, and that the Imam had entrusted us with power.
I personally never thought that the Assembly of Experts would choose His Eminence as Iran’s Leader, despite having heard some scholars and mystics mention the possibility before. After he was selected and upon hearing his remarks, I experienced a profound sense of calm. I felt that this calm was transmitted to the entire Iranian nation through his words prior to the elections.
Following the presidential election in Iran, a sense of calm prevailed in the country. Everyone, including esteemed religious authorities, the Assembly of Experts, the people of Iran, politicians, leaders, elected councils, etc. came under the leadership of Imam Khamenei. This was when the US realized that it was facing a new problem: Imam Khomeini (ra) had fostered a nation that was committed and devoted to the principle of wilayat [Guardianship]. I believe that at this juncture, the Americans encountered a new phase. Previously, they believed that Iran had weakened, and that after eight years of war it would be incapable of rebuilding the various elements of the Islamic Republic.
Nonetheless, the US realized that the Assembly of Experts was a powerful institution, the Majlis [Iranian Parliament] was a powerful institution, and that Imam Khomeini had made decisions before his demise to ensure that all the institutions and organizations within the Islamic Republic remained steadfast, strong, and resolute. In fact, the Americans found themselves facing a new disappointment and hence they redirected their attention toward alternative strategies, specifically economic and cultural infiltration. Within the Islamic Republic, there were extensive discussions about the country’s economic direction, and, ultimately, the power of His Eminence the Leader in establishing stability and overseeing these affairs became evident.
Some have tried to create rifts inside the country. Their efforts aimed to exploit the freedoms present within the Islamic Republic — freedoms shaped by the existence of diverse political inclinations, including right-wing, left-wing, reformist, and principlist tendencies — to sow discord. These individuals [the Americans] attempted to exacerbate differences, as they imagined they were dealing with a normal country like one of the Arab or Islamic countries. Americans typically believe that through their mercenaries, or via their embassies, officers, international channels, and their dominance over the global economy and the Security Council, they can infiltrate any Arab or Islamic country or any other country in the world.
In the third phase, the US realized that these tools did not exist in Iran. The fact that the United States did not have an embassy in Iran was one of God's blessings for Tehran. This means that there was no direct physical US influence in Iran, and Iran had no need for American officers, American military experts, American economic management, or American culture. The Americans also recognized that if they sought to foster discord among the Iranian people and society, they were truly weak and powerless in this endeavor.
The Americans sought to adopt new methods for dealing with Iran through international and political mechanisms. We all recall how the World Trade Organization promised Iran that the United States could integrate Tehran into the global community and the international economic market. The goal was to draw Iran into this organization, causing it to abandon its priorities, options, principles, and foundations to the point where the Wali-e Faqih [the Leader] would no longer hold the authority to make decisions. At that time, Iranian society was under economic and social pressure.
Another source of despair for the Americans was confronting the profound intellectual, economic, social, cultural, and foundational influence of His Eminence the Leader on all decisions of the Islamic Republic. He possessed a remarkable ability to manage internal disputes within the Islamic Republic. He had the capacity to mitigate the damages that economic or social pressures might inflict upon Iranian society. Most importantly, his mental preparedness and awareness of America’s regional projects stood out. Whenever the US intended to enter Iran through any means, they found His Eminence the Leader standing before them.
Whenever they wanted to enter through a window, they found it locked before them. Therefore, in the third experience that the US encountered, it found itself facing the barrier of “a new Khomeini.” This “new Khomeini” emerged and manifested himself in an extraordinary experience, that is, the experience of leadership — a profound intellectual experience, an experience of authentic jurisprudence, an experience of courage, insight, and mental presence that had a significant impact not only on Iranian society but also on Arab and Islamic societies.
All of this caused the leadership of Imam Khamenei to take on a new character. During the time of Imam Khomeini (ra), the opportunity for this type of leadership did not exist. The leadership style of Imam Khamenei was grounded in a method of exerting widespread influence both within Iran — following the end of the war and after Imam Khomeini’s passing — and beyond its borders. We suddenly found ourselves facing an Iran that had endured eight years of resistance and a country that, after the demise of Imam Khomeini (ra), had a new leader. Iran progressed in economic, scientific, and intellectual domains, among others. The Islamic Republic took root in the culture and beliefs of Iranian youth, raising new generations. Its influence expanded across the Arab world — from Palestine to Hezbollah in Lebanon and throughout the region — culminating in the Islamic Awakening. This awakening drew young believers in faith, peace, truth, and justice closer to the Islamic Republic, fostering an ever-deepening affinity with it
It was at this point that the US entered a new phase, which was to directly instigate sedition in Iran. This was the fourth stage of America’s confrontation with Tehran. I do not wish to delve into details such as the direct sedition in this fourth stage, as you have more information about it than I do. In any case, during this phase as well, the Americans found themselves facing a strong barrier known as Imam Khamenei, who stood against them with his intellect, wisdom, management, insight, and spirit. We all remember His Eminence the Leader's renowned speech during the Friday prayer [Jun 19, 2009], in which, according to our understanding, he utilized the spiritual capacity through connection with the Master of the Age and Time [Imam Mahdi (may Allah hasten his reappearance)], declaring, "This is your country." He also spoke to the Iranian nation with remarkable clarity and candor and successfully thwarted a new sedition project.
I clearly remember that after these consecutive battles waged by the US in various forms, Imam Khamenei countered them effectively. The RAND Corporation, an international American institute, conducted a nearly ninety-page research study in the aftermath of the 2009 sedition in Iran. It stated, "We need to examine what we can do in Iran after the current leader's era!" Because, with a figure like Imam Khamenei in Iran, the US had lost hope of being able to return to this country and influence its politics. This is indicative of their defeat, because they have come to the clear conclusion that in the presence of a person like Imam Khamenei (may his presences endure) the US cannot prevail over the Islamic Republic.
Question: I would like to take a moment to step back and reflect on the analysis you provided within the context of your memories. Let's start from the time of Imam Khomeini’s passing (ra). Imam Khomeini was a very prominent figure in the Islamic world; he brought the US to its knees in the region and thwarted their plans. The Americans were angry with the Imam and, in their wicked hearts, wished for his absence so that they could continue on their path. Naturally, both the people of Iran and all the admirers of the Imam around the world, as well as the Hezbollah Resistance Movement were concerned about the inevitable moment when the Imam would pass away. They were worried about what would happen after he was gone, who would assume leadership, and in what direction affairs would proceed. What concerns and worries did you have within Hezbollah at the time, and how did you and your friends in Hezbollah feel when you heard that Ayatollah Khamenei had been chosen as the Leader?
S. H. Safieddine: As you know, in Hezbollah, we have a culture based on the path and approach of Imam Khomeini (ra). One aspect of our culture is our love for the Imam. Perhaps we are from a generation that thought it was impossible for life — on an emotional and spiritual level — to continue without the Imam! This is a natural sentiment, and I personally recall that one of the saddest days of my life was the day when he passed away. I don't think there has been another day in my life when I felt such sadness. For all of us, losing friends and family is one thing, but the loss of the Imam is entirely another. Of course, all of this occurred even though we had been [mentally] preparing ourselves for that day during the Imam’s illness.
The Islamic Republic was explaining Imam Khomeini’s special condition in his final days through television, and there was a sense of readiness for the day of his passing. However, on the day his passing was announced, I felt as though the world had stopped and come to an end. I was in the Islamic Republic at that time, and I can almost vividly recall that day. We took to the streets, where everyone was weeping; no one had a smile on their face, and people were offering condolences to one another. One of the remarkable things was that as we moved from one place to another, we would see that the taxi driver was sad, the shopkeeper was grieving — everyone was in this state. We all attended the Imam’s funeral procession.
But when the news was announced that Imam Khamenei had been chosen as the new leader, we felt as though our souls had returned to our bodies and a sense of assurance enveloped us. Naturally, this is an internal and intellectual matter. Yet, it is not entirely a purely internal affair; this feeling and emotion arises in someone who is aware of his characteristics and recognizes the goodness and blessings he brings. We felt that the hand of God, the Glorious and Exalted, had been extended toward us, and I say this without exaggeration and in all honesty that we sensed the same power that existed during Imam Khomeini’s lifetime was present under his leadership as well. I clearly recall that not only did we believe in Imam Khamenei’s leadership from the very beginning, but, within Hezbollah, we were certain that this choice was, above all, a divine one. Praise God, it proved to be a successful choice, and we held the firm belief that the grace of Imam Mahdi (aj) was undoubtedly involved in this matter. This is the belief we held within Hezbollah, and it profoundly influenced the entire organization, from its leadership down to its lower ranks.
Therefore, a form of this belief and certainty existed within us. You could see how, during the leadership of Martyr Sayyid Abbas Mousavi (ra), he spoke of this great leader with passion and enthusiasm. Martyr Sayyid Abbas Mousavi and other Hezbollah leaders knew him well, and the blessings of his presence for the Resistance, particularly during the times it faced challenges, were evident over many years. His Eminence the Leader (may God prolong his life) consistently stood resolutely by our side, and we benefited from the blessings of his guidance, priorities, and attention.
In the 1980s — that is, during his presidency and before his selection as Leader — Hezbollah had extensive experience from this collaboration. When he assumed leadership, the initial months and years were fraught with tough challenges, and throughout this period Imam Khamenei consistently provided Hezbollah and the Lebanese Resistance with a pathway to salvation and deliverance. He opened doors that had been locked before us. He guided us, showed us the way, and instructed us, saying, "Follow this path." We would take that route and reach our destination.
In none of our collaborative experiences with Imam Khamenei — whether prior to his leadership or during his leadership, when he assumed the position of Wali-e Faqih — did he ever take a stance regarding Hezbollah and its guidance that was not entirely correct or complete. We could see that his views were completely correct. Therefore, when we speak of this matter today, some people might think that we are exaggerating or flattering him simply because he is our Leader. No, that is not the case. We take pride in our Leader, we cherish him, we love him, and we are immersed in his words and guidance. However, the things we say about him are not overstatements or insincere praise. What we say is based on substantial and concrete evidence from the time of Hezbollah's formation until now.
We have endured a difficult period, including intense military and security confrontations. Similarly, we are facing intense political pressures that the region, as well as the Resistance in Lebanon and Palestine, are contending with. Today, we are faced with numerous international pressures. Essentially, the Resistance has faced these international pressures since its formation until today. At every stage, in every year, and during every period, these pressures have existed, and throughout all of them Imam Khamenei has intervened and guided us. He would say to us, "I believe this is the path you should take." We would follow that path and realize it was the best one. If we were to summarize it in a single phrase, it would be this: The key to dignity, the key to victory, the key to success, and the key to guidance in every experience of the Lebanese Resistance lies in the hands of Imam Khamenei.
Question: If you were to point to specific instances, based on your memories and experiences, what cases would you mention where his guidance has been highly instrumental for Hezbollah?
S. H. Safieddine: As I mentioned in detail, there is ample evidence, but I will speak about some key stages and critical periods. For example, regarding Hezbollah’s foundation — the very spirit of Hezbollah — there was once a debate about whether Hezbollah should engage in political activities. Essentially, Hezbollah was a Resistance group, but due to the developments in Lebanon it became necessary for Hezbollah to also participate in political affairs as well. Resistance groups around the world often face such issues.
When certain achievements, such as progress and development at the popular, social, and political levels, are attained, an overlap emerges between political and resistance activities. Extensive discussions took place within Hezbollah on this issue, and there were various opinions. Ultimately, His Eminence the Leader stated that the matter was entirely clear: Hezbollah’s essence is resistance. This overarching approach outlined by His Eminence the Leader has proven effective to this day. Hezbollah’s foundation, identity, composition, and priority is “resistance.” Therefore, political activities also serve resistance activities. All of this is the guidance of His Eminence the Leader.
This approach opened significant paths for resistance activities ahead of us and allowed the resistance activities to advance with great strides. Unfortunately, at that stage, we became overly immersed in political activities. Had we lost our path of resistance and if the Resistance had weakened in the 1980s and early 1990s, we would not be witnessing all the achievements we see today.
The second example is when the issue of Palestine entered the phase of political compromise during the Clinton administration, and political agreements such as the Oslo Accords with the Palestinians and the Wadi Araba Treaty with Jordan were signed. At that time, everyone said that everything had come to an end. The Arab world, the Islamic world, and even the entire world believed that the path of compromise was the final destination. In the early and mid-1990s, during various political developments, we would go to His Eminence the Leader.
Throughout the lengthy negotiations supervised by the US government between the Arabs and Israelis, every time we would meet with His Eminence the Leader and discuss the regional developments, he would smile and say that we must continue on the path of resistance, and that, God willing, compromise would not happen. At that time, anyone who said that compromise would not occur was speaking against the prevailing global trend. Nevertheless, the honorable Leader would say, “This will not happen; do not be afraid and continue your resistance activities. Do not worry; this phase will also pass.”
At a very critical stage, shortly before the passing of President Hafez al-Assad and at the end of Clinton’s presidency in the US, rapid and consecutive meetings were held. At the time, our perception was that Hafez al-Assad had agreed to resolve the issues in the Golan and had reached an agreement with the Americans regarding the borders of the Golan region. I am referring to the agreement concerning Lake Tiberias and the disputes surrounding it. Our assumption was that everything was settled. Around that time, the well-known meeting between Clinton and Hafez al-Assad took place in Geneva, and it appeared that everything had been finalized. Prior to that, His Eminence the Leader had said, “Do not worry; such a thing will not happen.” The Geneva negotiations began, and the entire world expected them to yield results. However, suddenly, the talks collapsed because Hafez al-Assad did not concede or back down. His Eminence the Leader’s perspective was that compromise in the region would not lead anywhere.
Naturally, today, Lebanon, Palestine, and the entire region are facing the repercussions and reflections of the developments from that period. Unfortunately, the Arab rulers and some Lebanese leaders at the time had placed their bets on the idea that political compromise was the region’s inevitable fate. That is, they believed that compromise over the Palestinian issue would take place, that the work of Resistance groups in the region would come to an end, that Hezbollah’s role would be finished, that the Resistance in Palestine would have no place, and that Arab nations would have no hope of achieving just solutions for their issues and would remain confined within the framework of American decision-making. The primary figure leading the opposing front was His Eminence the Leader.
His Eminence the Leader stood firm against the prevailing global political approach and mindset and adopted courageous positions rooted in resistance. At that juncture, he issued directives to defend the cause of Palestine and emphasized that arming the Resistance and enhancing its capabilities in Palestine must continue. His Eminence the Leader stood by himself in the political arena, leading the Axis and Front of Resistance against the global front, and experience proved that political compromise was nothing but lies, empty claims, and illusions, and it would not secure any accomplishment.
Afterward, some high-ranking politicians in Palestine, Lebanon, and the region — whose names I do not wish to mention — came to us and admitted that, in the end, our path was the right one and that they had been mistaken. They said they had believed the US would present them with a political solution, but it did not. All of this happened twenty years ago; therefore, when we speak of these challenges or what is referred to as the “Deal of the Century,” we know that what did not happen twenty years ago will not happen now either. This was my second example.
The third example is something I remember vividly. After Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000 and the great victory that was achieved — the greatest victory in the Arab world in the history of resistance against the Zionist regime — we traveled to the Islamic Republic and met with His Eminence the Leader. After discussing and analyzing the issues and presenting some reports to him, as always, we benefited from his guidance. He spoke while I took notes, and I still remember his words clearly.
It was the summer of 2000, about two months after Israel’s withdrawal. I recall him saying that what had occurred was Hezbollah’s victory and that we would see its results and repercussions in the region, particularly within Palestine. He said do not underestimate the impact of this victory in Lebanon on the Palestinians, and that the Palestinian people, in a new intifada, would take to the streets, and from that point on they would only accept a solution from their leaders and politicians that was based on intifada in all its dimensions and meanings.
It was barely a month — perhaps a little less or a little more — after our trip to the Islamic Republic and our meeting with His Eminence the Leader when the Palestinian intifada erupted. Honestly, when I saw the images from the West Bank or the broader intifada across all of Palestine, I felt as if the Honorable Leader had watched the very same scenes broadcast on the television with his own eyes. It felt as though he had spoken in a way that suggested the television images were right before his eyes; he had described some of the details as if he were seeing them himself.
All of this indicated the existence of a correct vision. Now, we can interpret this as either knowledge of the unseen and divine assistance or as the result of a profound political insight. Such a vision, whether interpreted as divine aid or profound political insight, is immense and extraordinary. In any case, these two interpretations are not separate from one another. The wisdom of the friends of God is boundless — meaning that if someone is among the friends of God, their political wisdom will also be profound.
Hence, year after year, we came to understand more deeply that the honorable Leader’s perspective was one of extraordinary depth. Even in the details of the 2006 battle — the 33-Day War — his predictions contained remarkably precise elements. At the beginning of the war, he infused us with immense morale on the battlefield. We were facing an extremely tough and grueling fight during the 33-Day War. Imagine, one million supporters of the Resistance — out of a total population of four million in Lebanon — were displaced! Let me say that eighty percent of the Resistance’s supporters were displaced, their homes destroyed, their residential areas bombed, they were martyred and wounded, and devastation was everywhere. These events happened before the eyes of the entire world, and Hezbollah fought by itself for its destiny. In such conditions, the words and remarks of His Eminence the Leader were like a healing balm for us.
I clearly remember the famous first message he sent to His Eminence the secretary general. Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah called me and said, “I have good news.” I asked him, “What is the good news?” He replied, “His Eminence the Leader has sent us a message in which he spoke about the events that will happen for us, and his words are full of glad tidings. He spoke about the difficult days that lie ahead for us.” Sayyid Hassan continued, “The Leader compared our battle to the Battle of the Trench, which was extremely difficult.” Sayyid Hassan was laughing during the call, saying, “He has informed us of an impending tough battle.”
Naturally, this conversation took place during the first week of the battle. Ultimately, in His Eminence the Leader’s message, he stated, “God willing, your goodness lies in what has happened to you. If this had not happened, Israel might have taken you by surprise and launched a sudden attack against you.” We had no information suggesting that Israel was preparing for a surprise attack against Hezbollah. However, after the battle ended, the Israeli side admitted to this, and American officials and informed individuals also pointed out that Israel had been preparing for a surprise attack. I still clearly remember the details of my call with Sayyid Hassan.
I tell you with complete clarity and frankness that even Sayyid Hassan’s words boosted our morale — they pushed us forward and instilled a spirit of courage in us. Even the tone of Sayyid Hassan’s speech changed after the message from His Eminence the Leader; his words became different, reflecting a sense of reassurance. He emphasized that after receiving the message from His Eminence the Leader, he felt reassured, and this was a significant matter. One of the key points in His Eminence the Leader’s message to Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah — which is beneficial for people to understand — was that if the 2006 battle had not occurred at that time, Israel would have caught Hezbollah off guard. Later, Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah himself explained this to the public.
The question that arises is this: How did a leader who resides in Iran and leads the Islamic Republic through all its challenges and difficulties come to realize that Israel was preparing for a surprise war? We did not know this; we had no information about it. We were completely unaware of this matter. How did His Eminence the Leader become aware of it? How did he come to this conviction? The point is that, on a spiritual level, we never underestimated the importance of this conviction and accurate foresight, and it played a crucial role in managing and advancing the battle for us.
Similarly, His Eminence the Leader addressed Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah as “O Arab Leader.” He congratulated Hezbollah and Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah and used remarkable expressions when addressing him. For instance, he used the phrase “Ayyuha al-Qa’id al-’Arabi” — “O Arab Leader.” Through our experience with His Eminence the Leader, we came to understand that Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah, on the level of the Arab world, stands before a great future. Today, we are living in the stage of “Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah: The Arab Leader,” which His Eminence Imam Khamenei spoke about approximately thirteen years ago. This matter, in all its dimensions and meanings, is noteworthy.
Thus, His Eminence the Leader has always been spiritually present alongside Hezbollah, and we have continuously benefited from his extraordinary guidance, direction, and extraordinary, unimaginable speeches. I truly do not know how to describe his speeches! Should I call them a karamah [a nonprophetic miracle] or a mu’jiza (miracle)? The speeches of His Eminence the Leader are of a kind where you see more than just ordinary events — you see inspirations, because he has insight into all events, speaks about all events, and is a constant source of inspiration. He continuously drives people forward, clarifies, explains, and elaborates.
Even I myself always have this profound question in my mind: How does His Eminence the Leader deliver such speeches? How does he reach such astonishing addresses, filled with depth and multifaceted dimensions — intellectual, spiritual, political, and analytical? I have only spoken about the key stages in the course of resistance activities, and I can tell you with unwavering confidence that, naturally, after Imam al-Hujjah (may God hasten his reappearance), Imam Khamenei (may his shadow endure) is the only person in the world who saw the growing trajectory of the Resistance with absolute clarity and transparency.
Question: The Islamic Revolution has, so far, witnessed two leaders. The first was Imam Khomeini (may God’s mercy be upon him), and after him, Ayatollah Khamenei took up the leadership of the Revolution. If we were to name the eras of Imam Khomeini and Ayatollah Khamenei, what names could we assign to these two periods?
S. H. Safieddine: Naturally, if we were to speak about Imam Khomeini (may God’s mercy be upon him), if someone like me were to attempt to describe him, it would be an encroachment upon his sacred stature, as we cannot do justice to his legacy. However, within our limited intellectual capacity, we can say that as the founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini opened the doors in the truest sense by establishing the concept of Wilayat-e Faqih and emphasizing the role of Wali-e Faqih, the all-qualified Faqih [as the guardian of Islamic governance]. Indeed, he opened the doors toward goodness and blessings.
He paved the way for the reappearance of Imam al-Hujjah (may Allah hasten his reappearance) by conquering hearts. He was the conqueror of minds and was able to acquaint everyone with the authentic Muhammadan Islam (peace be upon him and his progeny) and Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them). In clear terms, it must be said that Imam Khomeini (may God’s mercy be upon him) was the founder of the Islamic Republic, its architect, and the source of its immense goodness and blessings. Everything the Islamic Republic and Muslims have achieved, and all the blessings we in Lebanon and the Islamic Resistance across the Muslim world have attained, can be traced back to a single source — Imam Khomeini (may God’s mercy be upon him).
His Eminence the Leader Imam Khamenei (may his shadow endure) has also institutionalized the principles and values within the towering structure of the Islamic Republic and the global Islamic movement. This means that Imam Khomeini opened the doors, and Imam Khamenei step by step institutionalized the values and principles within this framework. What Imam Khamenei has said and what has transpired over his thirty years of leadership is sufficient to form a comprehensive and complete framework for building the Islamic civilization he has spoken about.
We ask Almighty God to hasten the reappearance of Imam of the Age (peace be upon him). God willing, the Islamic civilization will be established under the blessed presence of Imam of the Time (peace be upon him), and we have no doubt in this regard. Imam Khamenei is the founder of the new and expansive Islamic project. He works to deepen the intellectual, ideological, cultural, structural, and administrative aspects of this project. He continues this path and remains steadfast in its pursuit. As you know, it has been narrated from Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) that the importance of persistence in an action is no less than that of its initiation. Therefore, Imam Khomeini (may God’s mercy be upon him) was the initiator of this path, and Imam Khamenei (may his shadow endure) has become its unwavering and steadfast continuer.
Question: You mentioned that the political path taken on the issue of Palestine has not been fruitful, and the only path is resistance. However, we hear that some are promoting the idea that the Palestinians themselves are seeking compromise! What is your view on this, and is the situation truly like this, or is the Resistance movement still strong and alive among the Palestinian people?
S. H. Safieddine: I will give you a concrete example. The Palestinian nation is a resistant nation that never gives up resistance or weapons. However, we must also recognize the immense pressures on the Palestinian nation. These pressures are enormous, and we do not underestimate them. The forced displacement of Palestinians, their expulsion from their lands, the global conspiracy — including by the Americans and the Westerners — against the Palestinians, the abandonment toward them by most Arab governments — that is, the Arab rulers — are all part of these pressures. Moreover, the wealth of the Arab world is spent in the service of Israeli interests, not for the Resistance. Despite all this, the Palestinian Resistance has never stopped over the past seventy years; this resistance has never ceased.
Despite being besieged and facing tightening constraints, the [Palestinian] Resistance has not surrendered. In spite of the assassination of prominent Palestinian Resistance leaders, the Resistance has not stopped. Today, the Palestinian Resistance is much stronger than it was thirty, forty, or fifty years ago. Now, the Palestinian Resistance is in a new phase; a phase of broader and more powerful resistance. Today, the Palestinian Resistance possesses missiles that pose a threat to Tel Aviv — such power did not exist before. Unfortunately, Arab countries have taken no action in this regard, but with the help of the Islamic Republic, the Resistance has acquired missiles capable of targeting Tel Aviv.
Today, the Palestinian Resistance sees the Hezbollah Resistance movement by its side, and Hezbollah is not only a threat to Tel Aviv but a threat to all the areas of the Zionist regime. Israel fears Hezbollah and is terrified by it. Hezbollah is a supporter and backer of the Palestinian Resistance. The constant perseverance of the Palestinian people in advancing their resistance and strengthening this resistance is clear evidence of the resilience of the Palestinian people, showing that the Palestinian nation is a resistant nation — one that has not surrendered and will not surrender, a nation that has not bowed to oppression and will not do so.
Yes, in this context, there are some weak politicians who surrender. Even during the life of the Messenger of God (peace be upon him and his progeny), in the city of Medina, the role of such individuals was to discourage the people and weaken their resolve. They would ask why they should fight and why they should continue the war. The Quraysh allied with the Jews and all the enemies of Islam and the Arab tribes to besiege Medina and call for the people to surrender. Today, such weak, cowardly, and hypocritical individuals still exist among both the Palestinians and the Arabs and Arab rulers.
They call on the people to adopt a culture of surrender and kneeling. However, the Palestinian people have never grown tired of this path, and they have never let go of their weapon of resistance. This is one of the most important achievements of the path of resistance and the Resistance Front — a front that Imam Khamenei (may his shadow endure) guides as a thought, a policy, and an option.
The Palestinian nation is strong today, and, contrary to what some weak individuals believe, it is not weak. I am referring to some politicians who sat at the table of American promises and, when the table was pulled away from them, felt that their hands were empty. Yes, their hands are empty, but we are not empty-handed. We are powerful; we have weapons; we have missiles; we are on the path of resistance; we have Islam; we have faith; we have a future; we have hope; and, with God’s permission, Palestine will be liberated; al-Quds will be liberated; it will be put in the hands of the Resistance people in Lebanon and Palestine.
God willing, al-Quds will be liberated, and the first leader of the liberation of al-Quds and Palestine will be the Wali-e Faqih, Imam Khamenei (may his shadow endure). This is the future we see vividly and transparently with our eyes. Experience has taught us this; events have taught us this.
Praise God, we are strong today. The Palestinian nation is strong, and the Resistance in the region is strong. If some believe that the cries of the US can yield results, they should know that these cries are nothing new. They come and go. Before Trump, tens of presidents in the US came to power, and all of them left, while the Resistance remained. God willing, the Resistance in the region — from Hezbollah to the Resistance in Palestine and across the region — will remain. This is because, on the one hand, this resistance is backed by an immense power and faith, and on the other hand, this resistance is rooted in an authentic ideology in history and relies on the power of the Islamic Republic.
Question: There was a time when the criminal Zionists would enter Lebanese soil whenever they wished. In 1982, they came as far as Beirut and committed many atrocities. After that, they controlled this area and carried out numerous massacres; they also created a security zone for themselves in southern Lebanon for many years. Hezbollah, with the approach mentioned — preserving its jihadist role [its role of resistance] — confronted the Zionists and forced them to retreat from Lebanese soil. Today, what is the situation? Can the Israelis still enter Lebanese territory and shed the blood of the Lebanese people? What credibility has Hezbollah gained for Lebanon, its people, and the Islamic world, and how do you see the future of this Resistance movement?
S. H. Safieddine: I will answer your question with the remarks of Imam Khamenei (may his shadow endure). After the victory of 2000, Hezbollah’s Secretary-General, Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah, explained to His Eminence the Leader what had happened. He described the battlefield situation and events to him. His Eminence the Leader smiled and said, “From your words, I understand that the Zionists are under the feet of the Islamic Resistance.” Truly, this is what happened. Today, the Zionists are under the feet of the fighters of the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon, and they can do nothing, and they will not be able to do anything.
For fifty years, the Israeli side has had a strategic concern along the borders of Arab countries and the Arab nations, including southern Lebanon. We belong to a generation that learned and understood that southern Lebanon was always under the threat of Israel because our families and community members were constantly worried and anxious under the shadow of Israeli threats. However, today the situation has changed. Today, if you go to southern Lebanon, you will see a calm, strong, and courageous southern Lebanon. Where can one see worry and anxiety in southern Lebanon?
The inhabitants of the Upper Galilee, Kiryat Shmona, and Haifa fear that a missile might land there or hit the Israelis there. Even Tel Aviv and Jaffa are worried and anxious. Israeli forces, officers, leaders, and even politicians are all talking about defense plans. These plans have only one purpose: to instill reassurance in the Zionists. One of the blessings of God for us was that in 2018 they held a military exercise and then said that the exercise was not fruitful because the Zionist settlers were still afraid and worried.
Today, we see that the state of “strategic concern” has become an Israeli culture among their soldiers, politicians, and journalists. Today, the speeches of Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah — whom most of the Zionist public listens to and is influenced by — reflect this reality. In the past, Arabs would listen to Israeli speeches to determine their future, but today it is the speeches of Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah that shape the future. It is the guidance of His Eminence the Leader, the guidance of the Supreme National Security Council of the Islamic Republic, and the guidance of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps that shape the future.
Today, we see that the Israelis talk about the speeches of the honorable Leader, about the IRGC, about Iran and its priorities. Therefore, everything has been completely reversed. Today, we have achieved great strategic victories, and for this reason, the future of the Resistance will be a bright one, full of great achievements. Yes, if there had been no sacrifices and selflessness, these victories would not have been realized.
We have always been determined to follow the path of Sayyid al-Shuhada, Aba Abdallah al-Hussein (peace be upon him). Our society today has become a Karbala-like society. Today, we face a Karbala-like society in Lebanon, a Husseini society. Peace and blessings of God be upon Sayyid al-Shuhada! The men, women, and youth in Lebanon are on the path of resistance because they are nurtured with the love and affection of the Resistance.
Our daughters, our sons, our men, our women, our culture, our schools, our seminaries, our scholars, our media — all, praise God, are part of the Resistance, and everyone is ready to sacrifice themselves on the path of resistance. What we witnessed in Syria was completely clear. Syria was a great experience that demonstrated the grandeur of the Axis of Resistance. At the intellectual, rational, religious, jurisprudential, and ethical levels, a set of values was formed within the Resistance, and we must admit that it was the thought and ideology of Imam Khomeini (may God’s mercy be upon him) and the constant, direct guidance of Imam Khamenei (may his shadow endure) that brought these values to life in us.
Therefore, we are not facing a disoriented and aimless resistance. The resistance that exists is not merely a military and ordinary resistance; we are faced with a Karbala-like, Wilayati, and Mahdavi resistance experience that believes in the ideology of resistance. Based on this experience, resistance activities can take many forms, including pushing the danger away from Lebanon or, God willing, liberating al-Quds. The Resistance wants all Arab and Islamic nations to be liberated from the yoke of the oppression and tyranny of the unjust rulers and the oppression of America.
We have faith that the Resistance Front and this extended movement in the Islamic and Arab world, under the leadership of Imam Khamenei (may his shadow endure), will continue on its path and humbly offer its achievements to Imam of the Time (may God hasten his reappearance). O Lord of the Age! Is this enough? We ask him to accept the modest achievement that we have realized in the field of resistance activities in the region.
O Lord of the Age! The one who leads the Resistance is your representative; he is the Wali-e Faqih. Is this enough, or should we present more achievements? We are ready to make further sacrifices in order to prepare the conditions for your blessed arrival. The reappearance of the Lord of the Age (peace be upon him) is in God’s hands, and He knows when it will occur. We ask God to hasten his reappearance.
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