TEHRAN (Iran News) On the occasion of Basij Week, thousands of members of Basij met with Ayatollah Khamenei at the Imam Khomeini Hussainiyah of Tehran on Monday, November 25.

During the meeting, Ayatollah Khamenei characterized the Basij as an inherently cultural, social, and military network.

He stated that approximately three weeks after the seizure of the US Spy Den and America’s aggressive stance, Imam Khomeini turned that significant threat into a great opportunity by establishing the Basij on November 26, 1979, and planted this “Shajarah Tayyibah” (Blessed Tree) in the country’s social, cultural, and military landscape.

The Leader highlighted the multifaceted nature of the Basij, asserting that its military dimension is just one facet. He explained that the Basij is primarily a school of thought and ideology, founded on the fundamental principles of faith, belief in God, and self-confidence. He stated that this foundation has played and will continue to play a prominent and fruitful role in various areas.

Continuing his remarks, the Leader criticized the Zionist regime’s actions in Palestine and Lebanon.

He stated, “The stupid Zionists imagine that by bombarding people’s homes, hospitals, and places where people are gathered, they’re the victors. No, no one in the world considers that to be a victory.”

Emphasizing that the enemy has not and will not be victorious in Gaza and Lebanon despite its egregious war crimes, the Leader added, “The arrest warrant issued for Netanyahu is not enough and a death sentence should be issued for him and the criminal leaders of the Zionist regime.”

Ayatollah Khamenei deemed the Zionist regime’s crimes in Gaza and Lebanon to have backfired on the perpetrators, leading to a strengthening and emboldening of the resistance. He added that the brave young Palestinians and Lebanese, regardless of their social status or involvement in combat, find themselves under bombardment and the threat of death. Consequently, they see no alternative but to fight and resist. Thus, these criminal fools are, in fact, unwittingly expanding the resistance front.

He underscored that the expansion of the resistance front is an absolute and inviolable necessity, emphasizing that however vast the resistance front is now, it will be several times bigger than this tomorrow.

In the continuation of his speech, the Leader enumerated the denial of nations’ abilities and humiliating them as longstanding policies of the domineering powers. He added, “According to the verses in the Quran, Pharaoh belittled and humiliated his people to ensure their obedience. However, Pharaoh was more noble than the current rulers of America and Europe; for not only do they humiliate their own people, but they also belittle other nations in order to plunder their resources and interests.”

Ayatollah Khamenei described domestic agents of imperialism as complementary to the external pressures and psychological warfare of the oppressors. He added, “Just as they did during the nationalization of the oil industry, these agents, in harmony with their masters, deny the history, identity, and capabilities of the nation to clear the way for the oppressors.”

The Leader considered the Basij ideology to be a barrier breaker, stating that, “The self-belief stemming from the spirit of the Basij, neutralizes the very dangerous soft weapons of the domineering system, which aims to humiliate, render passive, and instill despair in the nation. Undoubtedly, this spirit and the abilities arising from it will prevail over all the policies of the United States, the West, and the Zionist regime, both within the country and among the members of the Resistance Front.”