Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the Martyrdom of the Leader of the Ummah and the Great Leader of Islamic Iran, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei (May His Noble Soul Be Sanctified)     بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful  مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِینَ رِجالٌ صَدَقُوا ما عاهَدُوا اللّهَ عَلَیْهِ فَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ قَضى نَحْبَهُ وَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ یَنْتَظِرُ وَ ما بَدَّلُوا تَبْدِیلاً   The Leader of the Ummah and the great Leader of Islamic Iran, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei (may his noble soul be sanctified), was martyred and ascended to the highest heavens following the savage attacks by the United States and the Zionist regime on his residence on the morning of Saturday, the 10th day of the blessed month of Ramadan.   The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran extends its congratulations and condolences on the martyrdom of this eminent scholar and great leader to the Radiant Presence of His Holiness Baqiyatullah al-A‘zam (may our souls be sacrificed for him), to the noble people of Iran, the Islamic Ummah, and all freedom-loving and ethical people around the world.   The terrorist act committed by the United States and the Zionist regime in assassinating the eminent Leader of Islamic Iran and other senior officials of the country, in the framework of military aggression against Iran’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty, constitutes an unprecedented assault on all normative and moral foundations recognized by the international community and the most flagrant violation of the fundamental principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law.   The Ministry of Foreign Affairs draws the attention of all countries to the grave reality that unprovoked military aggression against Iran, the assassination of the country’s leaders, and the massacre of innocent citizens represent an extremely dangerous precedent in inter-state relations and a horrifying shift toward the rule of naked coercion and unrestrained force at the global level.   The Ministry underscores the responsibility of international institutions—particularly the United Nations, its Security Council, and the Secretary-General personally—as well as each and every Member State of the United Nations, to safeguard the principles and rules that are the product of centuries of human experience aimed at restraining power and preventing the domination of force in relations among states. Undoubtedly, indifference and inaction in the face of the organized injustice and crimes of the United States and the Zionist regime will embolden oppressors and criminals, and their consequences will affect the entire world for generations to come. The renewed military aggression by the United States and the Zionist regime against Iran in the midst of a diplomatic process—following the repetition of their military assault last June—constitutes a continuation of the hegemonic and criminal operations these two malign actors have unleashed in West Asia, particularly over the past two and a half years through the colonial genocide of the Palestinians and attacks on independent countries in the region.   Regrettably, the architects and executors of this sinister plot—the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of the Zionist regime—are among the most corrupt and malevolent leaders in today’s world, and their records of moral corruption and heinous crimes, including genocide and war crimes, are evident to all.   Without doubt, the banner of justice, freedom-seeking, dignity, devotion to Iran, and moral integrity raised by the beloved and honorable Leader of Iran shall not fall to the ground. The cowardly assassination of this great leader and distinguished Iranian figure will transform him into an immortal icon in the history of Iran and Shi‘ism, forever guaranteeing the endurance and dynamism of Iran and Islam, and inspiring the pursuit of justice, freedom, and dignity among Iranians and Muslims.   The free and noble nation of Iran, placing its trust in God and relying upon its invaluable civilizational and historical heritage, will continue the path of independence, dignity, and resistance with even greater resolve. The ill-wishers of this nation are well aware that martyrdom is not the end of a path, but the beginning of a new stage of historic responsibility and steadfastness.