News - Middle East: Leader of the Islamic Revolution Seyyed Ali Khamenei says Hezbollah’s extraordinary evolution is beholden to Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, who was assassinated in an Israeli strike on Beirut outskirts in late September.

“Hezbollah turned from a small group of fighters into a huge organization with such power that it can force the enemy ... to retreat and defeat it," he told members of the Assembly of Experts in Tehran Thursday.

“Thanks to the bravery, tact, patience and faith of Sayyed Nasrallah, Hezbollah attained extraordinary evolution in such a way that the enemy equipped with all kinds of material and propaganda weapons could not and by God's grace will not be able to overcome this wonderful phenomenon,” he added.

Dismissing rumors about Hezbollah’s loss of strength after the martyrdom of its leaders, Sayyed Khamenei said, “Some people in Lebanon and elsewhere think that Hezbollah has weakened and have begun to criticize its actions. They are mistaken and have illusions. Hezbollah is strong and continues to fight.”

Sayyed Khamenei paid tribute to Nasrallah and Hezbollah's senior official Seyyed Hashem Safieddine as well as Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar, and Iranian military commander Abbas Nilforoushan who were assassinated by Israel in September and October.  

The resistance martyrs, the Leader said, bestowed upon Islam dignity and honor in addition to strength and power. 

“During these many years and nearly 40 years, Hezbollah once forced the Zionist regime to retreat from Beirut, once from Saida, once from the city of Tyre, and once from southern Lebanon and entirely from the cities, villages and highlands of Lebanon, which means its capability has increased over time,” the Leader said.

Sayyed Khamenei also praised Hamas, saying the Palestinian resistance group's continued fight against Israel indicates the regime has been defeated.

“The Zionist regime intended to eliminate Hamas but has been unable to do so after massacring so many people, and showed their ugly face to the whole world, and proved their wickedness to everyone.

"They think they have martyred Hamas and resistance leaders, and that Hamas is finished but Hamas is still fighting and resisting. This means the failure of the Zionist regime,” the Leader added.

Source: Press TV