Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has announced the martyrdom of its spokesman Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naeini, in terrorist US-Israeli strikes.

In a statement released on Friday, the IRGC expressed condolences and congratulations to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, the Iranian people, military commanders, and media personnel over the martyrdom of Naeini in a “cowardly” crime by the aggressor regimes on the dawn of the last day of the holy month of Ramadan.

It said that Naeini’s “conscientiously” services over the past four decades in the IRGC, especially during the 1980s’ Iraqi-imposed war and Iran’s retaliatory True Promise operations, turned him into a prominent figure in the history of sacrifice and jihad (endeavor for the sake of God).

“His evolutionary viewpoints and efficient patterns in the field of ‘soft war’ will guide the IRGC forces and officers of the cognitive war in their fight against arrogant powers,” it added.

IRGC also vowed to continue the “hopeful and rigid” path of the brave and faithful commander in its battle against criminals.

The IRGC further pledged not to allow any disruption in the popular force’s soft and spiritual power and the fading of its glorious sound in the hearts of the faithful.

Naeini was the spokesperson for the IRGC over the past two years. He also served as the deputy for the IRGC’s Public Relations Department.

The criminal US-Israeli aggression on Iran began on February 28 with airstrikes that assassinated senior Iranian officials and commanders.

The Iranian Armed Forces have responded by launching almost daily missile and drone operations targeting locations in the Israeli-occupied lands as well as US military bases and assets across the region.

They have conducted their retaliatory strikes based on the principle of “eye for an eye,” inflicting heavy losses on the enemies.

In a message on Friday, Ayatollah Khamenei congratulated both the Eid of Nowruz and Eid al-Fitr, which have coincided this year, to the Iranian nation and to the Muslims worldwide.

“It is also necessary to congratulate everyone regarding the remarkable victories of Islam’s fighters,” he said, also expressing condolences to all the families and survivors of the honorable martyrs of the US-Israeli aggression, as well as those of the January foreign-backed unrests.

Three wars in one year

In the first section of the message, he provided an overview of the important events of the past year.

“In the past year, our dear people have experienced three military and security wars,” he said.

“The first war was the June war, when the Zionist enemy, with the special help of the United States and in the midst of negotiations, martyred some of the country’s best commanders and prominent scientists and subsequently about 1,000 of our fellow citizens,” Ayatollah Khamenei added.

“Because of a gross miscalculation, the enemy thought that after a day or two, it would be the people who would overthrow the Islamic system,” he noted, adding that however, the “vigilance” of the Iranian nation and “bravery” of Islam’s fighters foiled the Zionist plots.

The message categorized the “January Coup” as the nation’s “second war,” referring to the foreign-backed riots.

The Leader stated that the United States and the Zionist regime operated under the assumption that the Iranian populace was aligning with the enemy’s vision due to imposed economic pressures.

These adversaries “used their mercenaries to create countless disasters and martyred more of our dear fellow citizens than in the previous war and caused a lot of damage,” added Ayatollah Khamenei.

Transitioning to the current and ongoing conflict, which he designated as the “third war,” the Leader recounted its tragic beginning.

“On the first day of which, with tearful eyes and sad and broken hearts, we bade farewell to the kind father of the Ummah, our great Leader,” he said, referring to the US-Israeli assassination of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on February 28.

The Leader spoke of bidding farewell to numerous other casualties of the US-Israeli terrorist aggression, specifically mentioning the children of the Shajareh Tayyebeh School in Minab and the “brave and oppressed stars of the Dena Destroyer.”

The enemy’s goal is to disintegrate Iran

The address further analyzed the strategic intent behind the current war. The Leader asserted it was launched after the enemy failed to rally a significant popular movement in its favor.

The enemy, Ayatollah Khamenei explained, operated under “the illusion that if it martyred the head of the establishment and a number of influential military figures, it would create fear and despair in you, our dear people, and cause you to leave the arena.”

Ultimately, he warned, their goal was realizing “the dream of dominating Iran and then disintegrating it.”

People dealt a ‘confusing blow’ to enemy

Despite these challenges, the Leader praised the public’s response during the holy month. He noted that citizens “combined fasting with jihad and provided a vast defense line, as wide as the country,” establishing strong fortifications throughout squares, neighborhoods, and mosques.

This widespread mobilization, the Leader noted, dealt the adversary “a confusing blow.” As a result, he observed that the enemy “began to utter numerous contradictory words and many absurdities, which is a sign of lack of mindfulness and the existence of cognitive weakness.”

Enemy facing more than drones and missiles

Ayatollah Khamenei highlighted the nation’s recent triumphs over internal and external threats, emphasizing that the strength of the Iranian people far exceeds the military calculations of their adversaries.

Reflecting on the events of the past year, the Leader noted that the public had already suppressed a coup attempt on January 12. He further observed that the demonstrations on February 11 and March 12—the latter coinciding with Quds Day—served as a powerful display of “opposition to global arrogance and your tirelessness.”

During these events, he stated, the enemy was made to realize that they were “not only dealing with missiles, drones, torpedoes, and military affairs.”

He emphasized that “Iran’s front line is much bigger than his [the enemies’] humble and small mentality.”
The Leader expressed his gratitude to the citizens for “creating this great epic,” while also commending the “brave, honest and popular president and other officials” for their presence among the people “immaculate and without formalities.”

He also hailed the “incredible unity” currently witnessed among the Iranian people. The Leader noted that this cohesion exists “despite all the differences of religious, intellectual, cultural and political origins” and has resulted in a “breakdown” within the enemy’s camp.

He described this unity as a “special blessing from the Almighty.”

Turning to national security, the Leader issued a warning regarding “media operations” conducted by adversaries. He stated that these efforts intend to “undermine national unity and consequently national security by targeting the minds and souls of some among the people.”

He urged domestic media outlets, regardless of political or intellectual differences, to “refrain from focusing on weaknesses,” warning that negligence in this area could allow the enemy to reach its goals.

People’s livelihood a ‘focal point’

Ayatollah Khamenei also addressed the “economic war” facing the country. He noted that the late martyred Leader had consistently focused on the economy as the “slogan of the year.”

To counter the enemy’s exploitation of “economic and managerial weaknesses,” the Leader asserted that “providing people’s livelihood and improving the living and welfare infrastructures and creating wealth for the general public should be considered as a focal point and a kind of defense and even significant progress against the economic war waged by the enemy.”

New Year slogan and economic strategy

Ayatollah Khamenei said that his understanding of the nation’s challenges is rooted in direct engagement with citizens. He shared an anecdote about his personal efforts to hear the “words of our dear people from all walks of life,” stating, “During one period, for instance, I would ride along with you in a taxi – arranged at my request – through the streets of Tehran, with an anonymous group, listening to your conversations.”

He noted that he regarded this method as “superior to many opinion polls” and found that his own understandings often aligned with public criticisms regarding “economic and managerial matters.”

Based on these insights and expert studies, the Leader announced the formulation of a new “expert-tested remedy” for the country’s challenges. Formally designating the theme for the new year, he declared: “Resistance Economy in light of National Unity and National Security.”

On relation with neighbors

Elsewhere in his message, Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized a “serious and genuine” policy of engagement with neighboring nations.

The Leader identified several “spiritual elements” that strengthen these ties, including a shared devotion to Islam, sacred sites, shared ethnicity, and “common strategic interests, particularly in confronting the front of arrogance.”

He specifically highlighted the importance of eastern neighbors, noting that “I consider our eastern neighbors to be very close to us.”

He made a specific appeal for regional harmony, urging that “our two brotherly countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, establish better relations with each other – if only for the sake of divine pleasure and to avoid division among Muslims.”

He added that he is personally “ready to take the necessary steps” to facilitate this improvement.

Leader warns of ‘false flag’ operations

Addressing recent security developments, the Leader clearly rejected Iran’s involvement in strikes against Oman and Turkey. He said that “the attacks against Turkey and Oman – both of which have good relations with us—targeting certain locations in these countries, were in no way carried out by the armed forces of the Islamic Republic or the other forces of the Resistance Front.”

“This is a ploy by the Zionist enemy, employing the false flag tactic to create discord between the Islamic Republic and its neighbors, and it may also occur in some other countries,” he highlighted.

The message concluded with a prayer for the upcoming year, expressing hope for “triumph and all kinds of spiritual and material relief” for the nation, its neighbors, and the Resistance Front. The Leader closed the address by quoting the Holy Quran (28:6):

“And We desired to show favor to those who were oppressed in the earth, and to make them examples and to make them the inheritors, and to establish them in the land, and to show Pharaoh and Haman and their hosts from them that of which they were apprehensive.”

A Catholic bishop said he would push the Vatican for permission to ordain married men as priests by 2028, in an unusual statement that may test Pope Leo’s willingness to change Church teaching to address the issue of dwindling clergy numbers.

The Catholic Church has largely maintained a celibate priesthood for centuries. Although the practice could be changed by a pope, it would be a major shift in doctrine that pontiffs have resisted for decades.

Johan Bonny, bishop of Antwerp in Belgium since 2009 and known for taking progressive positions, said in a public letter to his parishioners released on Thursday that he would make “every effort” to ordain married men within two years and would identify men to train as priests.

Bishops in the 1.4-billion-member Church vow obedience to the pope and it is very unusual for them to announce they are considering an action that may contradict Church teaching.

If Bonny went ahead and ordained married priests without the Vatican’s permission, he could be subject to excommunication, a formal expulsion from the Church.

A Vatican spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Bonny’s remarks.

Leo, who took leadership of the Church last year after the death of Pope Francis, has not spoken at length about the possibility of married priests but has spoken positively about celibacy on several occasions.

Francis, who pursued a range of reforms during his 12 years as pope, firmly ruled out the possibility of married priests.

In his letter, Bonny said ordaining married men would be a response to the decline in the number of men willing to maintain celibacy in order to become priests, saying the current replacement rate is “just above zero”.

Issue can no longer be avoided, says bishop

“The question is no longer whether the Church can ordain married men as priests, but when it will do so, and who will do it,” he said. “Any delay comes across as an excuse.”

Bonny did not say whether he would go ahead and ordain married men if he did not receive papal permission.

The debate over whether Catholic priests should be allowed to marry has rumbled for centuries, but Francis reignited interest in the issue by holding several summits of bishops about possible reforms in the Church.

A 2018 Vatican summit of bishops formally asked Francis to ordain married priests, which he did not do.

Last year the Vatican said the number of men studying for the priesthood had seen an uninterrupted decline since 2012.

Proponents of letting priests marry say it would attract more men to the priesthood. Opponents say celibacy allows a priest to dedicate himself entirely to the Church.

Bonny said his diocese relies on foreign Catholic priests from Eastern Europe and the Middle East, who are often married.

Married men are allowed to become priests in Eastern-rite Catholic Churches, which are a minority and more prevalent in Middle Eastern and Eastern European countries.