Leader hails Iran’s aid workers as ‘embodiment of humanitarian values’
Iran’s Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei met with members of the organizing committee for the National Conference in Commemoration of Martyred Aid Workers on Monday in Tehran.
Describing aid workers as the “embodiment of humanitarian values,” Khamenei called on the nation to preserve and promote a spirit of selflessness and compassion. “This culture must be cultivated,” he said, urging continued efforts to showcase the sacrifices made by Iran’s medical and relief personnel during conflict, khamenei.ir reported.
The meeting, held two days prior to the conference and publicized on May 12, centered on efforts to honor those who died in service.
Khamenei linked the spirit of Iranian aid workers—who he said risked their lives “under rain of bullets” to save others—with the broader Islamic and human duty to oppose violence.
He drew a sharp contrast between these values and what he called “the savage behavior” of Israel in Gaza.
He condemned attacks on ambulances, hospitals, and civilians, referring to Israel’s ongoing military actions as the acts of “inhuman beasts.”
He admonished Western governments for supporting these “crimes,” calling global silence a shared moral failure.
“It is a universal duty to oppose such bloodshed,” he said. “The Islamic Republic will never remain silent in the face of such cruelty.”