Anyone with a Shred of Honor, Looking at This Action from Any Belief or Framework, Must Appreciate and Praise Operation True Promise

Statements of Ayatullah Sayyid Mujtaba Nur Mufidi on the Occasion of Operation True Promise in His Advanced Jurisprudence (Dars-e Kharij-e Fiqh) Class – April 15, 2024

Regarding recent events and Iran’s decisive and pride-inducing response to the usurping regime of Quds, it is necessary to offer some points by way of gratitude and appreciation for the divine blessing of the deterrent power of the system of the Islamic Republic of Iran. This is because speaking of blessings (hadith al-ni’mah) and expressing gratitude for blessings causes the descent of divine blessings, invokes God’s appreciation toward His servants, and leads to the increase of blessings: “If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]” [Quran 14:7]. Moreover, the gratitude of the servant is followed by God’s appreciation. In any case, after months of aggression, crime, and oppression against the Muslim people of Palestine and Gaza, as well as aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran through various means, yesterday a firm and decisive response was delivered from Iran to the usurping regime of Quds. From whichever perspective we look at this operation, it is worthy of appreciation and praise; anyone with a shred of honor, looking at this affair from any belief or framework, must appreciate and praise this action. When I say from every perspective, it truly is so.

Look at it: Israel has engaged in acts of sabotage in our country for months and indeed years—assassinations, explosions, and harassing operations that led to the martyrdom of some of our compatriots and elite, top-tier forces. In recent months, they also martyred several of our effective forces and advisors in Syria; their latest oppressive and aggressive act was the attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, during which a number of individuals were martyred. Responding to such acts of aggression was unequivocally necessary. Both Islamic law (shari’ah) obligates us to respond to enemies—which is, in reality, a form of defense—and if a response to these actions is not given, the enemy’s audacity, boldness, and greed for subsequent aggression and actions will increase. Furthermore, there is the oppression that Israel has committed against the Muslim people of Palestine for over seventy years, especially the unprecedented oppression inflicted in recent months, causing tens of thousands of deaths and injuries, as well as extensive material damages. From that perspective as well, we ultimately bear a duty against the oppressor.

Looking at it from the perspective of international standards as well, according to the United Nations Charter, a country that comes under aggression has the right to respond and defend itself; and Israel’s attack on the Iranian consulate was a form of aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran. Evaluating the issue from a rational perspective as well, the method of rational people across the world throughout history is that the enemy must be put in its place, and one must stand firm against aggression. All religions recognize such a right. Looking at it from a political standing, deterrence, and components of power as well, this action needed to be taken, because indeed, regardless of the convictions and intellectual foundations of the political system of the Islamic Republic of Iran, from a purely political perspective, this action was severely necessary as a deterrent measure. Deterrence itself is a form of power, and praise be to Allah, deterrence power in Iran has been strengthened day by day. In any case, the equipment at Iran’s disposal has provided this deterrent power for Iran.

The results produced by this action are truly significant results. As acknowledged by many political-military experts both within the Arab world and outside the Arab world, a new chapter was opened in regional equations, a fresh momentum and a new atmosphere took shape; this is very important. The new atmosphere is that Israel, despite all its fanfare, is extremely fragile and vulnerable, and Muslims and regional governments gain the courage for such action against the aggression of the usurping Zionist regime; this is no small thing. In any case, it forces them to act differently in this atmosphere and within this new equation. The wave of pride, joy, and delight created among the Muslims of the region, and these religious sentiments and pride that blossomed, constitute an important result. It was also a balm on the deep wounds of the people of Gaza. Domestically within Iran, the sense of pride in the Iranian nation was strengthened. Truly, all of these are sources of pride, and we must express our thanks and appreciation to the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), the Army of the Islamic Republic, and the Law Enforcement Forces, all of whom offer martyrs and wounded in the path of preserving the ideals of the Revolution and the territorial integrity of the country. We must thank all of them, as well as the Supreme Leader, who materialized this authority and reinforced the sense of pride and honor among Muslim nations and the Iranian nation. May Allah, God willing, be the supporter and protector of them all.