Ayatollah Mujtaba Khamenei Hails Martyr Raeisi’s Legacy of Service and Resistance
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution says Martyr Ebrahim Raeisi embodied deep spirituality, unwavering commitment to the people, and an active diplomacy that strengthened the Resistance Front.
Iran, PUREWILAYAH.COM — Ayatollah Sayyed Mujtaba Hosseini Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, said that closeness to the people and active, beneficial diplomacy were among the most prominent characteristics of Martyr Ebrahim Raeisi.
The remarks came in a message issued on Wednesday (May 20) to mark the second anniversary of the martyrdom of President Martyr Ebrahim Raeisi and his companions, collectively known in Iran as the “Martyrs of Service.”
In his message, Ayatollah Sayyed Mujtaba Khamenei said the commemoration of the martyrs of the Ordibehesht helicopter crash serves as a reminder of the long line of officials in the Islamic Republic of Iran who sacrificed their lives in the path of serving the nation and Islam.
He cited towering figures such as Ayatollah Morteza Motahhari, Ayatollah Mohammad Beheshti, Mohammad Ali Rajai, Mohammad Javad Bahonar, Martyr Raeisi, Ayatollah Al-Hashem, Martyr Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and Larijani as part of the hundreds of distinguished personalities nurtured in the school of Imam Khomeini and Ayatollah Khamenei, who “adorned the record of sincere and selfless service by officials of the Islamic Republic with their blood.”
Hallmarks of Martyr Raeisi
Ayatollah Sayyed Mujtaba Khamenei said Martyr Raeisi was distinguished by several outstanding qualities, including:
A strong sense of responsibility
Trust in the younger generation
A firm commitment to justice
Active and beneficial diplomacy
Genuine closeness to the people
According to him, these qualities inspired Iran’s friends, including the mujahideen of the powerful Resistance Front and many sincere supporters of the Islamic Republic.
“All of these characteristics were intertwined with a spirituality deeply rooted in the core of his being,” he wrote.
A Lasting Standard of Service and Independence
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said that although Martyr Raeisi’s presidency was cut short, it established a lasting benchmark for tireless effort and heartfelt concern for the nation while steadfastly preserving Iran’s independence.
He also referred to the extraordinary funeral procession that accompanied Martyr Raeisi to Mashhad, near the shrine of Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha (peace be upon him), describing it as a reflection of the people’s profound love and appreciation for the martyred president.
Greater Responsibilities Amid Historic Resistance
Ayatollah Sayyed Mujtaba Khamenei stressed that the Iranian nation is now creating an unprecedented historical epic through its unique resistance against “two global terrorist armies.”
He said this reality has placed an even heavier burden on all officials of the Islamic Republic—from the Leader and the heads of the branches of government to every level of management.
He emphasized that gratitude for the blessing of unity between the people, the government, and all institutions of the Islamic Republic must be demonstrated through stronger motivation, intensified and selfless service, direct engagement with the public, serious efforts to resolve economic and livelihood concerns, and a meaningful role for the awakened people in the country’s march toward progress and a bright future.
Prayers for the Servants of the Nation
Ayatollah Sayyed Mujtaba Khamenei concluded his message by praying for God’s mercy and pleasure upon all martyrs who gave their lives in the path of service, and for divine assistance and the prayers of Imam al-Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance) to support all those who serve the Muslim people of Iran.
The message reaffirmed that Martyr Raeisi’s legacy lies not only in his political and administrative achievements, but also in his spiritual example, his steadfast defense of national sovereignty, and his selfless dedication to serving the people and strengthening the Resistance Front.
FULL TEXT OF THE LEADER
In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
Commemorating the martyrs of the Ordibehesht flight, headed by the martyred President Hojjat al-Islam wal-Muslimeen Raeisi, recalls the memory of the long line of servant martyrs in the Islamic Republic of Iran. From Motahhari, Beheshti, Rajai, and Bahonar, to Raeisi, Al-Hashem, Amir-Abdollahian, and Larijani, hundreds of outstanding figures nurtured in the school of Imam Khomeini the Great and Ayatollah Khamenei—may God exalt their noble ranks—have adorned the record of sincere and selfless service by officials of the Islamic Republic with their blood.
Among the most prominent characteristics of Martyr Raeisi were his sense of responsibility, his trust in the younger generation, his commitment to justice, his active and beneficial diplomacy, and, above all, his closeness to the people. These qualities brought encouragement to Iran’s friends, including the mujahideen of the powerful Resistance Front and many sincere supporters of the Islamic system.
All of this was intertwined with a spirituality deeply rooted in the core of his being. In the relationship between officials and the people, such impactful positive qualities naturally lead to mutual appreciation.
This is why his farewell journey to the vicinity of his master and beloved, Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha (peace and blessings be upon him), was marked by an unparalleled outpouring of grandeur. The unfinished period of his presidency established a lasting standard of tireless effort and genuine concern for the nation and the country while steadfastly preserving Iran’s independence.
Today, we stand before the epic achievements of the Iranian nation in its unique historical resistance against two global terrorist armies. This reality makes the responsibilities of the officials of the Islamic Republic—from the Leader and the heads of the branches of government to all levels of management—heavier than ever before.
Today, gratitude for the blessing of unity between the nation, the government, and all institutions of the Islamic Republic must be demonstrated through strengthened motivation, intensified and selfless service by officials, the resolution of the people’s concerns and challenges—especially in the economic and livelihood spheres—direct and field-based engagement, and by defining a meaningful role for the awakened people in the path of national progress and the hopeful march toward a bright future.
May God’s mercy and pleasure be upon the martyrs of the path of service, and may divine assistance and the prayers of our Master—may God hasten his noble reappearance—be the support of those who serve the Muslim people of Iran.
Sayyed Ali Khamenei
30 Ordibehesht 1405 (May 20, 2026) (PW)