Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has declared that the country will continue its resistance against what he called 'arrogant and infidel powers.' In a message marking Iran’s Army Day, shared on the social media platform Telegram, Khamenei praised the Iranian military for exposing the 'weakness and humiliation' of its enemies. He claimed that Iranian drones are striking 'American and Zionist criminals like thunder,' and said the navy is ready to inflict new defeats on adversaries.

Khamenei described the current conflict as a continuation of Iran’s revolutionary tradition, linking it to the 1979 Islamic Revolution and previous 'imposed wars.' He called the army 'part of the people’s hearts' and 'true sons of the nation.' The message also paid tribute to his late father and predecessor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed at the start of the war in February and was credited with strengthening the army.

Mojtaba Khamenei, who assumed leadership after his father’s death, has not appeared in public since taking office. He concluded his message by expressing condolences to the families of those killed in the 'war imposed by the United States and the Zionist regime.'