Tehran, April 1 – Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has sent a message to Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem, pledging continued support for the resistance against the United States and Israel, according to the semi-official Fars news agency on Wednesday.
In his message, Iran's supreme leader commended Qassem's condolences and sympathy for the "martyrdom" of his father, former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a US-Israeli airstrike in Tehran on February 28.
Khamenei said that steadfastness and resistance against the "most stubborn enemies" of the Muslim world, namely, the United States and Israel, were among the most prominent characteristics of Iran's former supreme leader, Xinhua news agency reported.
He praised the late Hezbollah leaders for their fights, bravery, and sacrifices.
Khamenei said he has confidence in Qassem's wisdom, intelligence, and courage to thwart the plans of Israel and restore honor and prosperity to the Lebanese people.
Iran's Assembly of Experts announced on March 8 the selection of Mojtaba Khamenei as the country's new supreme leader.
Meanwhile, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) said that it had targeted an Israeli container ship in the Persian Gulf with ballistic missiles during a new wave of attacks against US and Israeli targets, Tasnim news agency reported.
The IRGC warned that companies it accused of involvement in "terrorist espionage" could be targeted, naming several major US technology firms and urging employees and nearby residents to leave the areas. It also said that its forces have launched drone attacks on "important and strategic" communication, telecommunication, and industrial centers affiliated with the Israeli army.
Iran executed two "armed terrorists" affiliated with the Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO) for their involvement in several "terror operations" in Tehran aimed at toppling the country's establishment.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi called reports that Iran fired a missile toward Türkiye "completely baseless."
