Hawzah News Agency - Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah on Sunday hit back at those who criticize the Lebanese party over its relation with Iran, saying that Lebanon “exists on the map” thanks to the Resistance which is backed by the Islamic Republic.

Sayyed Nasrallah stressed the importance of being loyal to the blood of the commander of IRGC’s Quds Force General Qassem Suleimani and the Deputy Head of Iraq’s Hashd Shaabi Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis.

His eminence was talking in a speech on the occasion of first martyrdom anniversary of Gen. Suleimani and Al-Muhandis who were assassinated last year by a US strike on Baghdad International Airport.

Sayyed Nasrallah highlighted that the support by Iran has been unconditional, noting that the Resistance can’t put those who provided it with money and weapons and those who plot against the country on the same level.

Iran is not weak, and it knows very well when and how it will avenge the assassination of its figures, the Resistance leader said.

Sayyed Nasrallah stressed, meanwhile, that the Resistance gets more firm and stubborn following the assassination of its leaders.

His eminence insisted that the US policies of sanctions and economic blockade are fruitful.

“Mistaken he who thinks that we can retreat by either sanctions or assassinations.”

Loyalty to Martyrs’ Blood

Sayyed Nasrallah started the speech by describing the assassination of Gen. Suleimani and Al-Muhandis as a “tragedy that will immortalize with its significance and repercussions on the entire region.”

He insisted that loyalty is one of the main factors of victory and steadfastness against the enemies’ schemes, noting that loyalty to the blood of martyrs Suleimani and Al-Muhandis “requires us to thank and praise these great leaders.”

“Shortly after the crime was committed last year, people across the Axis of Resistance, especially in Iran and Iraq, took to streets to voice their gratitude to the martyrs. Perhaps the funeral of Suleimani and Al-Muhandis was the greatest one in the history of the mankind.”

“Iran and Imam Khomeini stood by the Resistance in Lebanon and Syria since the first day of the Israeli occupation of Lebanon,” Sayyed Nasrallah said referring to the founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Ruhullah Khomeini.

“When we thank Iran, this is out of loyalty to those who backed and supported us to liberate our country,” his eminence added.