Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei:
Among the most valuable achievements of the Third Sacred Defense [against the American and Zionist invasion] is the emergence of Iran at the level of a major, influential power.
Assessment
A new supreme leader in Iran is explicitly framing the country's regional influence as a direct result of resistance against foreign invasion. This language signals an intention to continue or escalate that posture. The reference to a Third Sacred Defense suggests a narrative that past conflicts have elevated Iran's standing, which may have implications for future foreign policy and negotiations.