Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reaffirmed Tehran’s ironclad commitment to the Axis of Resistance during separate meetings with senior delegations from Hezbollah and Hamas, held on the sidelines of the monumental funeral ceremonies for the late Leader, Martyr Sayyed Ali Khamenei.
Speaking amid the multi-day commemorations, Araghchi hailed Hezbollah’s Resistance as a “source of pride” for Lebanon and the entire Islamic world. He further asserted that Iran remains actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to end the war in Lebanon and dismantle the occupation, framing these objectives as aligned with Article 1 of the memorandum of understanding recently signed with the United States.
In a separate dialogue with Hamas representatives, the top Iranian diplomat reiterated that the Islamic Republic will persist in its unwavering backing of the Palestinian cause, vowing that the struggle against occupation remains a non-negotiable pillar of Iranian foreign policy.
The diplomatic overtures unfolded against the backdrop of an unprecedented display of national and international mourning. On Sunday morning, Sheikh Jafar Subhani led millions of attendees in funeral prayers at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Prayer Hall, marking the culmination of days of emotional farewells for the martyred Leader and members of his family. Since Friday, Tehran has played host to a steady stream of senior religious figures, political dignitaries, and military leaders from across the globe.
In a historic and logistically remarkable move, the funeral rites have been extended across a six-day itinerary spanning multiple nations. Following the conclusion of the Tehran ceremonies, the late Leader’s body will be transferred to the holy city of Qom, then to Iraq’s sacred cities of Najaf and Karbala, before finally returning to his birthplace for interment on July 9 at the revered Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad.
Diplomatic Milestone Amid External Pressure
Highlighting the global resonance of the occasion, Araghchi revealed on Saturday that representatives from more than 70 countries had traveled to Iran to participate in the commemorations—a turnout he described as a “lasting milestone” in the nation’s diplomatic history.
“We are pleased to welcome representatives from more than 70 countries who chose to participate in honoring our martyred leader, including our loyal Arab brothers,” Araghchi stated in a social media post, emphasizing that the historic gathering “will remain an enduring memory in the course of Iran’s shared relations” with the participating nations.
Echoing that sentiment, Iran’s Foreign Ministry issued a formal statement expressing deep appreciation for the foreign guests and international delegations, commending them for having “stood on the right side of history.” The Ministry noted that these officials chose to express solidarity with Iran despite facing significant external pressure and threats aimed at discouraging their attendance—a decision that underscores the deepening isolation of Iran’s adversaries and the growing prestige of the Resistance front on the world stage.
Source: Al-Manar English Website and Iranian media