Officials and government-controlled media In Iran continue to praise the contributions of senior IRGC officer Razi Mousavi, who was killed in Syria on December 25.
Mousavi was killed in an air strike allegedly conducted by Israel. He is being praised for his role in strengthening Iran's proxy forces in the region that Tehran calls the "Axis of Resistance." His death is seen as a blow to the Iranian regime amid Israel's war against Hamas.
Palestinian militant groups, the Syrian regime, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and Yemen's Houthis are the main forces aligned with and supported by the Iranian regime.
The IRGC-affiliated Tasnim news agency published an interview with one of Mousavi's colleagues, identified only as Haj Hassan, on Saturday. Tasnim cited "security considerations" for not disclosing his full name.
According to Haj Hassan, Mousavi played a crucial role in transferring assistance to proxy forces through relations with Syrian and Lebanese officials. He was also credited with creating conditions for the ‘resistance axis’ that allowed for the production of essential items locally.
"The transfer of equipment and the necessary technology for production within the resistance axis was one of Mousavi's characteristics during these years. In challenging conditions, he implemented fundamental strategies to sustain resistance over the course of three decades," Haj Hassan added.
Thousands gathered for his funeral in Tehran's central Imam Hossein Square, where mourners passionately chanted anti-Israel and anti-American slogans. Yellow flags bearing the message "I am your opponent" were waved by the crowd, directly targeting Israel.
During the funeral, Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, led prayers and paid tribute to Mousavi, further solidifying the official narrative surrounding the senior IRGC official's role and impact.