The Fortieth Day Message
Ayatollah Sayyed Mojtaba Khamenei on the Martyred Leader and the Third Imposed War
In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
Message of His Eminence Ayatollah Sayyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, on the occasion of the fortieth day of the martyrdom of the Great Leader of the Revolution (May God sanctify his pure soul) and important issues related to the Third Imposed War
1405/1/20 [April 9, 2026]
In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
“Indeed, We have granted you a clear victory, that Allah may forgive you what preceded of your sin and what will follow and complete His favour upon you and guide you to a straight path, and [that] Allah may aid you with a mighty victory.”
(Quran, Surah al-Fath, Chapter 48, The Victory, Verse 1:3)
Forty days have passed since one of the greatest crimes of the enemies of Islam and Iran, and one of the heaviest public sorrows in the history of this nation; the sorrow of the heartbreaking martyrdom of the Great Leader of the Islamic Revolution, the father of the Iranian nation and the leader of the Islamic Ummah and the guide of the truth-seekers in the present era, the master of the martyrs of Iran and the resistance front, the great Khamenei, may God sanctify his pure soul.
It has been forty days since the lofty soul of our martyred leader has become a guest at the banquet of the awliya (friends of God), the truthful, and the martyrs in the proximity of the Divine, and simultaneously or subsequently, a large group of companions, commanders, and warriors of Islam, and oppressed compatriots from few-day-old infants to the elderly have also attained this great grace.
It has been forty nights and days since God Almighty summoned the leader of this ummah to His rendezvous; but this time, unlike what happened in the era of Kalimullah [Moses], the companions of the martyred leader and his ummah were raised up to establish the truth and confront falsehood, and like solid mountains, they stood against the Samiri and his calf, and descended like fiery lava upon the aggressors and Pharaohs.
It has been forty days and nights that the arrogant of the world have removed their deceptive and false masks from their faces and displayed the hideous and satanic face of murder and oppression, aggression and lies, arrogance and child-killing, and tyranny and corruption.
But in contrast, for forty days and nights, the zealous children of the great Khomeini and the dear martyred Khamenei, and the followers of the pure Islam of Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family), have been present in the squares, streets, and battle trenches with exemplary dedication and courage, and despite the blows and damages of the enemy’s brutal invasion, they have turned the Third Imposed War into the scene of the epic of the Third Holy Defense. The aware and vigilant nation of Iran, although showing that it is mourning the great sorrow of the separation from its martyred leader, but by emulating the direct inheritors of the Ashura of Hossein, turned this sorrow into an epic, and from mourning, they made a battle cry. And all of this has thrown the enemy, armed to the teeth, into astonishment and desperation, and has compelled the freemen of the world to admire them. This time, the ignorance and foolishness of the arrogant caused Esfand 1404 [Feb/March 2026] to become the beginning of a new chapter of gaining power and the rise of the name of Iran and the Islamic Revolution, and the flag of Islamic Iran to be hoisted not only in the earthly geography of our country but in the depths of the hearts of the truth-seekers of the world.
Characteristics and Virtues of the Martyred Leader
This occasion is a good opportunity to briefly introduce the Great Leader. It is about a man who, as much as he was famous, was not truly known. Everyone knows that our martyred leader was a jurist (faqih) aware of his time and insightful, a tireless mujahid, firm and solid like a mountain, a practicing and divine scholar, a person of dhikr, night vigils, and supplication to the Divine Court, and devotion to the holy essences of the Infallibles, peace and blessings of God be upon them all, and from the bottom of his soul, he believed in the divine promises. Among his other characteristics was his love for Iran and his continuous effort for the ever-increasing independence of dear Iran, alongside which he emphasised the unity of word and national cohesion. He spent a lifetime striving for the establishment of the Islamic system and its endurance and survival, and at the same time, the Islamic Republic without the people, in his view, seemed meaningless. While possessing authority and firmness, he had an abundant share of subtlety in thought and approach to matters. He paid special attention to the capacities of the country, especially the youth. He attached importance to science and technology and progress in its shadow. He held a special reverence for the honourable families of the martyrs, the veterans, and the dear self-sacrificing people. In various aspects, he had invaluable and accumulated experiences, sometimes with a background of several decades, and many other characteristics that would make a long list.
These days, in some media, there is frequent talk about his art, art appreciation, and fostering of art. This element, while alone capable of creating great value for a person’s character, and which certainly existed in our dear leader in a real sense and at an excellent level, seems small in comparison to his other existential elements and privileges. I personally know of several [other] arts from him:
One great art of his that receives less attention was the art of educating and nurturing society through shaping the thoughts, spirits, and emotions of the massive masses of people and social groups.
Another art of his was the purposeful institution-building that he undertook, especially in the early years of his leadership and guidance, with the theory of distant horizons.
Another art of his was the action to empower the country’s military structure, whose positive effects the Iranian nation has witnessed and benefited from in the two recent imposed wars. Also, the power of invention and initiative in various dimensions, including scientific, strategic, and policymaking, was another of his arts, a glimpse of which is reflected in the formulation of the general policies of the system. And also the power to create meanings through the timely construction of novel words and combinations, each of which created and carried a multitude of meanings, and from it, a public discourse of action emerged. And among them, an art that was achieved as a result of the polishing of his lofty soul in hardships, trials, and tribulations, and because of his patience and steadfastness in the path of truth, was the art of foreseeing distant events, as “the believer looks with the light of God.” And other arts whose enumeration is not possible in this brief.
All these arts and advantages had no source other than the special divine graces and the special attention of our Master and his pure forefathers, peace be upon them all. Perhaps what attracted these graces and attentions toward that great man can be summarised in his unceasing and sincere efforts and struggles in the path of exalting the word of truth. But especially, apart from the hardships of the struggle against the traitorous apparatus of the Pahlavi government, he greatly benefited from another special opportunity in the course of fulfilling his duty, which the general public is usually unaware of. It was destined that the young Sayyed, intensely seeking knowledge and of course seeking action, at a time when his noble father was facing blindness, after years of kneeling in the presence of high-ranking professors, abandoned all the apparent grounds for scientific and future-building progress in Qom and, trusting in divine grace, devoted himself to his father. The divine favour following this sacrifice appeared in such a way that suddenly Sayyed Ali Khamenei, at an age before thirty, rose like a sun from Khorasan and soon was considered one of the intellectual and combatant pillars, and simultaneously made remarkable progress in conventional sciences; so much so that in the years of the fifties [1970s], the SAVAK apparatus called him the Khomeini of Khorasan. I must emphasise that this trend of inward and outward elevation of that great man continued in subsequent stages as well. Now, in the position of learning lessons from the behaviour of the greats and especially such a personality, it is very appropriate that we make this characteristic of sincere goodwill for one another and mutual assistance our practice, for this trait, coupled with looking towards having [hope in] the vast divine mercy, is an important difference between one who stands under the flag of truth and those who have gathered around the flag of falsehood. Certainly, pursuing such a practice will open the doors of heaven and bring down various divine and unseen aids; from the descent of the rain of mercy to victory over the enemy and even scientific and technological progress.
During these days, it is repeatedly heard that various groups of the dear people, rightly and with regret, remember that unique figure of the era, and gradually more aspects of the shining jewel of his exalted personality are emerging. Also, the resolve to emulate specific actions of his is gradually becoming widespread; for example, our dear people learned lessons from his clenched fist at the time of martyrdom, and now this very clenched fist has become a kind of common symbol of belief for some. This is how it is proven once again that the impact of a martyr is greater than the living person, and his loud voice in inviting to monotheism, seeking truth, and fighting oppression and ruin is more resonant, and his message more penetrating than during his lifetime, and also the heartfelt desire of this great martyr, which was the prosperity of this nation and other Muslim nations, has come closer to reality than before.
The Victory of the Heroic Nation of Iran in the Third Imposed War
Brothers and sisters, compatriots! Today, and up to this point in the epic of the Third Holy Defense, one can boldly say that you, the heroic nation of Iran, have been the definitive victors of this field.
Today, the dawn of the rise of the Islamic Republic as a major power and the arrogant powers being placed on the downward slope of weakness has become apparent before everyone’s eyes. This is undoubtedly a divine blessing that, from the blessing of the blood of our martyred leader and other martyrs shrouded in blood, and the oppressed compatriots and the plucked flowers of the Shajareh Tayyebeh school in Minab, and following the supplications and entreaties of the individuals of the nation to the Divine Court and their striving presence in the squares, neighbourhoods, and mosques, and because of the unsparing, unconditional, and sincere sacrifices of the devoted warriors of Islam in the IRGC, Army, Faraja [Police Command], the anonymous soldiers [intelligence forces], and border guards, has been bestowed upon the Iranian nation. This blessing, like any other blessing, must be met with gratitude so that it may endure and grow, for “If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favour].” Practical gratitude for this blessing is unceasing effort to achieve a strong Iran.
The Importance of the Continued Presence of the People on the Scene
What seems necessary in the current stage to achieve this slogan and strategic goal of the martyred leader is the continued presence of our dear people, just like the forty days they have left behind. This presence is an important pillar of the status in which powerful Iran is now established.
Therefore, with the announcement of the intention to negotiate with the enemy, one should not imagine that presence in the streets is no longer necessary. Rather, if hypothetically, the time has necessarily come for a period of silence in the military battlefield, the duty of the individuals of the people who have the possibility of being present in the squares, neighbourhoods, and mosques seems heavier than before. Certainly, your shouts in the squares are effective in the outcome of the negotiations; just as the astonishing and increasingly million-strong number of the “Sacrificing Life for Iran” campaign is also among the influential elements in this arena. By the permission of God, the Blessed and Exalted, as a result of these role-playings and their continuation, the prospect that lies before the Iranian nation promises the emergence of a magnificent and brilliant era full of dignity, pride, and richness for them. When our martyred leader assumed the leadership, the Islamic Republic system was like a sapling upon which numerous wounds from the enemies of Islam and Iran had landed, and of course it had endured them all well. But when, after nearly 37 years, he left the seat of the leadership of the Ummah, he left behind a pure tree (Shajareh Tayyebeh) whose roots are firm and whose branches and leaves have cast a shadow over important parts of the region and the world. The approach to achieving an “ever stronger Iran” passes through the path of unity among the different strata of society, which was repeatedly emphasised by him. A significant glimpse of this unity was realised in these forty days; people’s hearts grew closer to one another, the ice between different strata with different inclinations began to melt, everyone gathered under the flag of the homeland, and day by day the number of this gathering and its quality is increasing. Many of those who have not yet achieved this kind of presence are heartfeltly accompanying and speaking in unison with the crowds present in the squares.
These days, many are experiencing a civilisational view by fixing their eyes on the distant horizons and creating for themselves an image, not illusory, but relying on the realities of the present and the future. This is a characteristic that until recently was seen in a few people, at the head of whom was the martyred leader. This is how any observer perceives the rapid and miraculous growth of this nation, and it is not without reason that these days, the renowned sage of the era and the esteemed jurist, when he speaks to you of this dignity, the lump in his throat repeatedly blocks the path of his words.
Points regarding the Southern Neighbours, Compensation for Damages, and the Blood Money of the Martyrs
In this opportunity, I say to the southern neighbours of Iran that you are witnessing a miracle. So look correctly, understand correctly, stand in the right place, and be suspicious of the false promises of the devils. We are still waiting for an appropriate reaction from you so that we can show you our brotherhood and goodwill. This will not happen except by your turning away from the arrogant powers, who do not miss any opportunity to humiliate and exploit you. Everyone must know this: by the permission of God Almighty, we will certainly not let go of the criminal aggressors who attacked our country. We will certainly demand compensation for every single damage inflicted, and the blood money for the martyrs and compensation for the veterans of this war, and we will certainly advance the management of the Strait of Hormuz to a new stage. We have not been and are not seeking war, but we will in no way give up our rightful rights, and in this regard, we consider the entire resistance front in a unified manner.
Recommendations to the Individuals of the Nation
At this juncture, until the stage of attaining what belongs to us, firstly, all individuals of the nation should try to be considerate of one another so that less pressure is inflicted upon different strata due to the shortages that are the natural effect of any war. Of course, these shortages, which sometimes exist much more in the front opposing you, have been managed to a significant extent thanks to the efforts of your brothers and sisters in the government and other institutions.
Secondly, guarding our ears, which are the windows to the brain and heart, against the media supported by the enemy or aligned with them, is a necessary matter. Certainly, those media do not wish well for the country and the Iranian nation, and this meaning has been proven many times. Therefore, we should either fundamentally abandon encountering and using them or at least treat whatever they present with immense suspicion.
Thirdly, the dear nation, although with the end of the official mourning period for the martyrdom of its Great Leader, takes off the mourning clothes from its body, but it will keep the resolute determination to avenge his pure blood and all the martyrs of the Second and Third Imposed Wars alive in its soul and heart, and will continuously be watchful for its realisation.
In conclusion, addressing our Master [the Mahdi], may God Almighty hasten his noble reappearance, I submit that we, with faith in God Almighty and through supplication to the Infallible Imams, peace and blessings of God be upon them, and by emulating our martyred leader, have stood under your flag and against the front of disbelief and arrogance. In this path, we have offered precious martyrs from various classes for the sake of the country’s dignity and independence and the exaltation of Islam and the Islamic Revolution, and we have suffered other damages as well. Now, with all our being, we have pinned our hearts on your special prayer for a decisive victory over the enemy, whether in the arena of negotiations or on the battlefield, and we hope that as soon as possible, both we and our enemies will witness its miraculous effect, God willing.
Peace be upon you, and the mercy of God and His blessings.
Sayyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei
20 / Farvardin / 1405 [April 9, 2026]