This is a translation of the original Persian text. Original text in Persian
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
"Indeed, We have granted you a clear victory, that God may forgive you your past and future sins, complete His blessing upon you, and guide you on a straight path, and that God may help you with a mighty help."
Forty days have passed since one of the greatest crimes of the enemies of Islam and Iran, and since one of the heaviest public bereavements in the history of this nation: the grief of the heart-rending martyrdom of the great Leader of the Islamic Revolution, the father of the Iranian nation, the leader of the Islamic Ummah, and the guide of truth-seekers in the present age, the master of the martyrs of Iran and of the Resistance Front, the great Khamenei, may God sanctify his pure soul.
For forty days, the lofty soul of our martyred Leader has been a guest at the banquet of the friends of God, the truthful, and the martyrs in the vicinity of divine nearness; and at the same time, or following it, a great many companions, commanders, and combatants of Islam, as well as wronged compatriots, from newborns only a few days old to the elderly, have also attained this great blessing.
For forty nights and days, God Almighty has summoned the leader of this Ummah to His appointed meeting; but this time, unlike what happened in the era of Moses, the one who spoke with God, the companions of the martyred Leader and his Ummah rose up to establish the truth and confront falsehood, stood firm like steadfast mountains against the Samiri and his calf, and descended like fiery lava upon the aggressors and the Pharaohs.
For forty days and nights, the arrogant powers of the world have removed their deceitful and false masks and displayed the hideous and satanic face of murder and oppression, aggression and lies, Pharaonic tyranny and child-killing, and despotism and corruption.
Yet, in response, for forty days and nights the zealous children of the great Khomeini and of the dear martyred Khamenei, and the followers of the pure Muhammadan Islam (may God's blessings be upon him and his household), have been present in the squares, the streets, and the trenches of combat with exemplary diligence and courage, and despite the blows and damage of the enemy's savage onslaught, they have turned the Third Imposed War into an arena of the epic of the Third Sacred Defense. Although the aware and vigilant Iranian nation showed that it is grief-stricken by the great sorrow of separation from its martyred leader, following the example of the direct heirs of Imam Hussain's Ashura, it turned this grief into an epic and its elegies into battle cries. All of this has left an enemy armed to the teeth in bewilderment and helplessness and has moved the free people of the world to admiration. This time, the ignorance and folly of the arrogant powers caused Esfand 1404 to become the beginning of a new chapter in the rise to power and prominence of the name of Iran and the Islamic Revolution, and caused the flag of Islamic Iran to be raised not only across the geography of our country's soil but also in the depths of the hearts of the world's truth-seekers.
This occasion is a good opportunity to offer a brief introduction of the great Leader. We are speaking of a man who, as famous as he was, was never fully known. Everyone knows that our martyred Leader was a jurist who understood his times and possessed insight, a tireless mujahid as steadfast and firm as a mountain, a practicing and godly scholar, a man devoted to remembrance of God, night vigils, and humble supplication at the threshold of the Lord and to seeking intercession through the sacred Infallibles (may God's blessings and peace be upon them all), and a believer in God's promises from the depths of his soul. Among his other characteristics were his love for Iran and his constant effort for ever greater independence of dear Iran, alongside which he emphasized unity of purpose and national cohesion. He spent a lifetime striving for the establishment of the Islamic system and its stability and survival, and at the same time, in his view, an Islamic Republic without the people was meaningless. Along with authority and firmness, he possessed an abundant share of subtlety in thought and in his outlook on affairs. He paid special attention to the country's capacities, especially the youth. He attached importance to science and technology and to progress under their shade. He held the esteemed families of the martyrs, the disabled veterans, and the dear self-sacrificing veterans in special regard. He possessed precious and accumulated experience in various areas, some of it spanning several decades, along with numerous other characteristics that would make up a long list. These days, some media outlets repeatedly speak of his artistry, his appreciation of art, and his patronage of art. Although this element alone can lend great value to a person's character, and it certainly existed in our dear Leader in the true sense and to a high degree, it seems small in comparison with his other qualities and merits. I personally know of many arts he possessed: one of his great arts, which receives less attention, was the art of educating and nurturing society by shaping the thoughts, spirits, and sentiments of the vast masses of the people and of social groups.
Another of his arts was the purposeful building of institutions, which he undertook, particularly in the early years of his leadership, with a view to distant horizons.
Another of his arts was strengthening the country's military structure, whose positive effects the Iranian nation witnessed and benefited from in the two recent imposed wars. Likewise, the power of invention and innovation in various dimensions, whether scientific, strategic, or policymaking, was another of his arts, a glimpse of which is reflected in the formulation of the general policies of the system. There was also the power to create meaning by coining, at the right moment, novel words and expressions, each of which created and carried a wealth of meaning and from which public discourse was formed. And among them was an art that had been acquired as his lofty soul was polished through hardships, trials, and tribulations, and through patience and steadfastness on the path of truth: the art of foreseeing distant events, for "the believer sees with the light of God." And there were other arts that cannot be enumerated in this brief account.
All these arts and merits had no source other than special divine favors and the special attention of our Master and his pure forefathers (may God's blessings be upon them all). Perhaps what drew these favors and attentions toward that great man can be summed up in his tireless and sincere effort and struggle for the exaltation of the word of truth. In particular, however, apart from the hardships of the struggle against the treacherous apparatus of the Pahlavi regime, he benefited greatly from another special opportunity on the path of fulfilling his duty, of which the general public is usually unaware. It was destined that the young Sayyid, intensely eager for knowledge and also eager for action, at a time when his noble father was at risk of losing his sight, after years of sitting at the feet of eminent teachers, abandoned all the outward grounds for scholarly advancement and a promising future in Qom and, trusting in God's grace, devoted himself to his father. Divine grace following this sacrifice manifested itself in such a way that suddenly Sayyid Ali Khamenei, before the age of thirty, rose like a sun from Khorasan and soon came to be regarded as one of the intellectual and militant pillars of the struggle, while at the same time making remarkable progress in the conventional sciences, so much so that in the 1350s [1970s] the SAVAK apparatus called him "the Khomeini of Khorasan." I must stress that this process of inner and outward advancement of that great man continued in later periods as well. Now, in drawing lessons from the conduct of great figures, and especially from such a personality, it is most fitting that we make this quality of sincere goodwill toward one another and of mutual support our practice; this characteristic, together with looking to God's vast mercy, is an important difference between one who stands under the banner of truth and those who have gathered around the banner of falsehood. Certainly, pursuing such a practice will open the gates of heaven and bring down all kinds of divine and unseen assistance, from the descent of the rain of mercy to victory over the enemy and even scientific and technological progress.
These days it is frequently heard that various groups of our dear people, rightly and with longing, remember that unique figure of the age, and gradually more facets of the radiant jewel of his exalted personality are coming to light. Likewise, the practice of emulating certain particular acts of his is gradually becoming widespread; for instance, our dear people learned lessons from his clenched fist at the moment of martyrdom, and now this very clenched fist has become, for some, a kind of shared symbol of conviction. In this way, it is proven once again that the influence of a martyr is greater than that of one who is present, that his resounding voice calling to monotheism, to the pursuit of truth, and to the struggle against oppression and corruption is more resonant and his message more penetrating than during his lifetime, and also that the heartfelt wish of this martyr of great stature, which was the felicity of this nation and other Muslim nations, has come closer to reality than before.
Brothers and sisters, fellow countrymen! Today, and up to this point in the epic of the Third Sacred Defense, it can be said with confidence that you, the heroic nation of Iran, have been the definitive victor of this arena.
Today, the dawn of the rise of the Islamic Republic as a major power and the descent of the arrogant powers onto the slope of weakness has become evident before the eyes of all. This is undoubtedly a divine blessing that has been bestowed upon the Iranian nation through the blessing of the blood of our martyred Leader and the other martyrs in blood-stained shrouds, the wronged compatriots, and the withered flowers of the Shajareh Tayyebeh school in Minab; following the supplications and humble entreaties of every member of the nation at the threshold of the Lord and their striving presence in the squares, neighborhoods, and mosques; and because of the unstinting, selfless, and sincere sacrifices of the devoted combatants of Islam in the IRGC, the Army, FARAJA [the Law Enforcement Command], the unknown soldiers, and the border guards. This blessing, like any other blessing, must be met with gratitude so that it may endure and grow, for "If you are grateful, I will surely increase you." Practical gratitude for this blessing is tireless effort to achieve a strong Iran.
What appears necessary at the present stage for attaining this slogan and strategic goal of the martyred Leader is the continued presence of our dear people, just as during the forty days they have left behind. This presence is an important pillar of the standing in which a powerful Iran is now established.
Therefore, the announcement of a decision to hold negotiations with the enemy must not give rise to the notion that presence in the streets is no longer necessary. On the contrary, if, hypothetically, the time has necessarily come for a period of silence on the military battlefield, the duty of all those people who are able to be present in the squares, neighborhoods, and mosques appears heavier than before. Certainly, your cries in the squares influence the outcome of the negotiations, just as the astonishing and ever-increasing figure of millions in the "Jan-Fada for Iran" [Ready to Sacrifice One's Life for Iran] campaign is also among the influential elements in this arena. By the leave of God, Blessed and Exalted, as a result of these roles and their continuation, the prospect before the Iranian nation heralds the emergence of a glorious and brilliant era, abounding in dignity, honor, and prosperity. When our martyred Leader assumed the leadership, the system of the Islamic Republic was like a sapling on which numerous wounds had been inflicted by the enemies of Islam and Iran, all of which it had, of course, endured well. But when, after nearly 37 years, he left the seat of leadership of the Ummah, he left behind a goodly tree whose roots are firm and whose branches and leaves cast their shade over important parts of the region and the world. The approach of achieving an "ever stronger Iran" passes through the path of unity among the various strata of society, which he repeatedly emphasized. A considerable measure of this unity was realized during these forty days: the hearts of the people drew closer together, the ice between various strata with different inclinations began to melt, everyone gathered under the flag of the homeland, and day by day the number and quality of this gathering increase. Many of those who have not yet attained this kind of presence are, in their hearts, in step and in accord with the crowds present in the squares.
These days, many people are experiencing a civilizational outlook by fixing their eyes on distant horizons and are forming for themselves a picture that is not illusory but grounded in the realities of the present and the future. This is a characteristic that until a short while ago was seen in only a small group at whose head stood the martyred Leader. In this way, every observer perceives the rapid and miraculous growth of this nation, and it is not without reason that these days, when the renowned sage of the age and eminent jurist speaks to you of this standing, a lump in his throat repeatedly obstructs his words.
At this juncture, I say to Iran's southern neighbors: you are witnessing a miracle. So see correctly, understand correctly, stand in the right place, and be distrustful of the false promises of the devils. We are still awaiting an appropriate response from you so that we may show you our brotherhood and goodwill. This will not come about except through your turning away from the arrogant powers, who miss no opportunity to humiliate and exploit you. Everyone must know this: by the leave of God Almighty, we will certainly not let go of the criminal aggressors who attacked our country. We will certainly demand compensation for every single damage inflicted, the blood money of the martyrs, and the indemnity for those wounded in this war, and we will certainly bring the management of the Strait of Hormuz into a new phase. We have not sought war, nor do we seek it, but we will by no means relinquish our rightful rights, and in this regard we consider the entire Resistance Front as a single whole.
At this juncture, until the stage of obtaining what belongs to us, first, all members of the nation should strive to be considerate of one another so that less pressure is placed on the various strata as a result of the shortages that are a natural consequence of any war. Of course, these shortages, which in some cases are far greater on the opposing front, have been managed to a considerable extent thanks to the efforts of your brothers and sisters in the government and other institutions.
Second, guarding our ears, which are the window to the mind and the heart, against media outlets supported by the enemy or aligned with it is a necessity. Certainly, those media outlets do not wish well for the country and the nation of Iran, and this has been proven many times. Therefore, we should either abandon exposure to and use of them altogether or at least treat everything they present with great suspicion.
Third, although the dear nation, with the end of the official mourning period for the martyrdom of its great Leader, is taking off its garments of mourning, it keeps alive in its soul and heart the firm resolve to avenge his pure blood and that of all the martyrs of the Second and Third Imposed Wars, and will constantly watch for its realization.
In conclusion, addressing our Master (may God Almighty hasten his noble reappearance), I submit that, with faith in God Almighty, seeking intercession through the Infallible Imams (may God's blessings and peace be upon them), and following the example of our martyred Leader, we stand under your banner against the front of disbelief and arrogance; on this path we have offered precious martyrs from various walks of life for the dignity and independence of the country and the exaltation of Islam and the Islamic Revolution, and we have suffered other losses as well. Now, with all our being, we place our hearts in Your Holiness's special prayer for a decisive victory over the enemy, whether in the arena of negotiations or on the battlefield, and we hope that, as soon as possible, both we and our enemies will witness its miraculous effect, God willing.
Peace be upon you, and the mercy and blessings of God. Sayyid Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, Farvardin 20, 1405