America News Agency

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei described Iran's late religious leader Ali Khamenei as "a great leader whom history rarely produces" in a message published following his death.

In a social media post, Baqaei said the Iranian people bid farewell to Khamenei in Tehran today, describing the occasion as an unforgettable moment in the country's history. He argued that Khamenei represented more than just a name or an era, leaving behind a legacy of self-confidence, independence, dignity, patriotism, and resistance.

Baqaei emphasized that although leaders may depart physically, their ideas continue to live on, stating: "The earth embraces lifeless bodies, but the ideas that call upon a nation to trust itself, safeguard its independence, and remain steadfast in pursuit of its ideals do not erode with time. When the cypress leaves the garden, it leaves behind to the saplings the legacy of standing tall; and the seed that falls into the soil sprouts anew in free consciences, a legacy that cannot be covered by the dust of years. For just as martyrdom endures, no state is established without sacrifice. Those who love the Huma bird know the edge of the sword. Even if it is not customary to carry a candle on the enemy's path, we turn the leader's sword with our warm blood."