Ayatollah Imam Khamenei referred to the evident role of a neighbouring government in the events in Syria, stating. "Nevertheless, there are numerous indications that the main plotters, schemers, and the primary command centre are the U.S. and the Zionist regimes."

He described the behaviour of the Zionists and Americans regarding the recent events in Syria as an indicator of this, saying, "If they were not the planners behind the events in Syria, why did they not remain non-aggressive like other countries? Instead, they actively intervened in the ongoing incidents by bombing hundreds of infrastructure facilities, airports, research centres, institutions for training scientists, and other locations in Syria."

Referring to the official announcement by the U.S. of attacks on 75 locations in Syria during the first days of the incidents, The Leader said, "In addition to targeting hundreds of locations, the Zionists have also occupied Syrian territory and brought their tanks close to Damascus. Meanwhile, the U.S., which shows great sensitivity to much smaller border incidents in other countries, has not only refrained from objecting but has also assisted them. Don't these facts indicate their involvement in the events in Syria?"

Ayatollah Khamenei elaborated on another indication of U.S. and Zionist involvement in the events in Syria. He said, "In the final days, a certain amount of aid and resources were supposed to be sent to a region in Syria—particularly the Zaynabiyyah area. However, the Zionists blocked all ground routes, and U.S. and Zionist regime aircraft carried out extensive air patrols, preventing this aid from being delivered by air as well. If they are not the ones orchestrating the matter and are not fighting Syria by backing certain terrorist or armed groups, then why did they prevent aid from reaching the Syrian people?"

The Leader described the goals of the aggressors seeking to occupy Syrian territory from the north and south as being multifarious. He said, "In this context, the United States seeks to solidify its foothold, but time will show that none of them will achieve their goals. Without a doubt, the occupied territories of Syria will be liberated by the courageous Syrian youth."

He outlined the future trajectory of regional developments and said that, by God's grace, the United States would be expelled from the region by the Resistance Front. He said, "The agents of arrogance believe that the Resistance Front has been weakened after the fall of the Syrian government, which supported the Resistance. However, they are gravely mistaken, as they fundamentally lack a proper understanding of the Resistance and the Resistance Front."

Ayatollah Khamenei said that the Resistance was not like hardware that was breakable and collapsible, but a faith, a mindset, an ideological school of thought, and a heartfelt determination. "It is for this reason," he said, "that the Resistance grows stronger under pressure, its members and elements become more motivated upon witnessing acts of malice, and its scope will expand further." He highlighted the strengthening of Hezbollah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and other Palestinian forces under the pressures of the past 14 months as evidence of this reality. He said, "The burden of hardships, including the loss of Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah, was immense, but Hezbollah's power and resolve became even stronger. Seeing this reality, the enemy sought a ceasefire."

Recalling the unprecedented crimes of the murderous regime in Gaza and the martyrdom of prominent figures like Yahya Sinwar, the Leader said, "The enemy thought that under the bombardment, the people of Gaza would rise up against Hamas. However, the opposite happened, and the people became even more supportive of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and other Palestinian resistance groups." Ayatollah Khamenei highlighted that the expansion of the Resistance across the entire region would be the inevitable result of the pressures and crimes of the enemy. He added, "That ignorant and uninformed analyst who claims these events will weaken Iran should understand that Iran is strong and powerful, and it will become even more powerful."

He spoke of resistance as a reality deeply rooted in the faith and beliefs of nations, adding, "The Resistance means standing up to the United States and any other oppressor and opposing dependency and servitude to the U.S. This is a significant principle for nations. This very belief, in recent months, has led to the passionate support of regional peoples and, in a manner of speaking, of nations around the world for Palestine and expressing their hatred for the Zionists."

Ayatollah Khamenei drew attention to the occupation of Palestine lasting for over 75 years, saying, "This issue should have faded from memory over such an extended period, but today, the steadfastness of the Palestinian people and the nations of the region on the issue of Palestine is ten times stronger than when the land became occupied. The shared belief of nations in resistance has made this flame burn even brighter."

He described alignment with the Zionist regime as a red line for nations. He said, "The Zionists and their accomplices should know that, according to divine tradition, criminality does not lead to victory. Today, this divine tradition and historical experience are being repeated in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon."

The Leader spoke about Iran's presence in Syria in previous years. He said, "One point that most people, especially the youth, are unaware of is that before we assisted the Syrian government, during the critical period of the Sacred Defence when everyone was working in favour of Saddam and against us, the Syrian government provided Iran with vital support. In a significant and decisive move, it blocked the oil pipeline from Iraq to the Mediterranean, depriving Saddam of that revenue."

Another reason he cited for the presence of Iranian youth and some commanders in Syria and Iraq was the fight against the sedition of ISIS. He said, "ISIS was a bomb of insecurity, aiming to destabilise Syria and Iraq and then move into Iran to make our country their ultimate and final target."

Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out that a key reason for the Islamic Republic's determination to confront ISIS was to prevent the spread of insecurity to Iran. He stated, "Our officials quickly realised that if ISIS was not stopped, insecurity would engulf all of Iran, as the people had witnessed examples of their terrorist atrocities in incidents such as the attacks on the Parliament, the Shah Cheragh shrine, and in Kerman."

The Leader referred to a statement by Amir al-Mu'minin (Imam Ali), noting that one must not allow the enemy to reach one's home, for a nation that engages with the enemy within its own home becomes humiliated. "Based on this principle, our forces, along with the martyred commander General Soleimani and his colleagues, went to Iraq and Syria. By organising and arming the youth of those countries, they stood against ISIS and broke its back."

He said that one goal of ISIS was to destroy the holy shrines and sacred sites in Karbala, Najaf, Kadhimayn, and Damascus, as shown in their demolition of the dome of the sacred shrine in Samarra. He remarked, "Facing their enmity toward the holy shrines, it became clear that faithful, courageous, and devoted youth who love the Ahl al-Bayt would not allow such aggression and would not remain indifferent."

Ayatollah Khamenei described the nature of the Islamic Republic's military presence in Syria and Iraq as advisory, involving establishing central command centres, defining strategies and tactics, being present on the battlefield when necessary, and, most importantly, mobilising the youth of those regions. He emphasised, "Our presence in Syria and Iraq did not mean sending divisions from our Army and the Revolutionary Guards to fight in place of their armies because such an action is neither logical nor acceptable to public opinion."

The Leader referred to the numerous requests from eager and passionate youth and Basij members at the time, who were impatient to be deployed to Syria. He said, "The majority of our forces present in those regions was advisory, and in rare and critical instances, it involved the presence of predominantly volunteer and Basiji forces."

He described the training, organising, and arming of several thousand Syrian youths to confront ISIS under the leadership of Martyr Soleimani as one of the outstanding achievements of that honourable commander. He expressed regret over the dissolution of that organisation by the decision of Syrian military officials after a few years, and said, "After the ISIS sedition was extinguished, most of our forces returned from Syria."

Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out that the primary battle had to be carried out by the Syrian army and added, "Along with the army, Basiji forces from other countries could participate in the fight, but if the army displayed weakness or lack of resolve, the Basiji forces would not be able to achieve much. Unfortunately, this is precisely what happened in Syria."

In addition to this, he said, "Of course, the prerequisite for our presence in any location is the consent and agreement of its government, just like when we were present in Iraq and Syria at the request of their governments. If no such request is made, the path is closed, and assistance will not be possible."

Ayatollah Khamenei said, "The current situation and hardship in Syria are the result of the weakness and decline in the spirit of resistance and steadfastness that the Syrian Army demonstrated."

Comparing the weakness of the Syrian Army with the high morale of senior officials of Iran's armed forces and their insistence on obtaining permission to be present on the battlefield and assist the Resistance, the Leader said, "Today, the Iranian nation takes pride in its Army and Revolutionary Guards. However, during the era of the tyrannical regime, the Army was so weak that it failed to resist foreign aggression. During the Second World War, the enemy advanced to Tehran and occupied it."

Ayatollah Khamenei highlighted several points regarding the events in Syria and the Resistance Front, saying, "Everyone should know that the situation will not remain where a group comes to Damascus to assault people's homes while the Zionist regime advances with bombings, artillery, and tanks."

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said, "The courageous youth of Syria will certainly rise up, stand firm, and even endure losses to overcome this situation, just as the brave youth of Iraq, after its occupation by the U.S., managed to do so with the help, organisation, and leadership of our dear martyr, to drive the enemy out of their homes and streets. Of course, this task in Syria may take a long time, but the outcome is inevitable and certain."

He outlined the lessons and insights from the Syrian crisis for officials and the nation, saying, "The first lesson is never to be heedless of the enemy. The enemy acted swiftly in Syria, but preventative measures could have been anticipated beforehand. Our intelligence apparatus had even conveyed warning reports to Syrian officials several months in advance.

Ayatollah Khamenei said, "One must not be heedless of the enemy, underestimate them, or trust their smiles, for sometimes they speak with a smile and a pleasant tone while holding a dagger behind their back, waiting for an opportunity to strike."

He said that personal and national victories, defeats, and ups and downs are realities of life. He said, "What matters is not becoming arrogant during victories, as arrogance leads to ignorance, and not becoming passive or despairing during defeat, just as the Resistance Front does not become arrogant in victory or passive in the face of setbacks."

Ayatollah Khamenei said, "In the 46 years since the Revolution, we have endured tremendous and difficult events. There was a time when Saddam's planes bombed Tehran's airport, instilling fear in the hearts of the people. Yet, in the face of all these various and bitter events, the Islamic Republic did not exhibit even one moment of passivity."

The Leader described the danger of passivity as sometimes more significant than the event itself and said, "A believer should never succumb to passivity or feel that they are powerless and must surrender. This is in accordance with the Quranic advice to have gratitude and seek forgiveness for shortcomings while avoiding arrogance in times of victory. Therefore, in progress and success, arrogance is a poison, and in shortcomings and challenges, passivity is venomous. We must be cautious of both."

He mentioned those whose job is to demoralise and frighten people, saying, "Some do this from abroad through Persian-language media, and they should be dealt with differently. However, no one in this country should engage in this. If someone speaks or analyses in a way that effectively demoralises people, it is a crime that must be addressed."

Concluding his remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei described the Iranian nation as ready for action and emphasised, "By God's grace, the roots of Zionism and the malignant Western agents in this region will be eradicated."