In 2025, Iran’s Supreme Leadership continues to project an unwavering commitment to defending the Islamic Republic’s core ideological foundation—Shi’a Islam. This position, deeply rooted in the revolutionary identity established in 1979, remains central to Iran’s foreign policy, military doctrine, and national narrative.
Iranian leaders have repeatedly emphasized that the preservation and defense of Islam takes precedence over political survival, economic interests, or even the nation’s safety. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior clerics have often portrayed the country as the final bastion of Islamic resistance against what they perceive as Western imperialism, Zionism, and secularism in the region.
This ideological conviction is reflected in:
- Support for proxy groups such as Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Shi’a militias across Iraq and Syria, even at the cost of international sanctions and domestic economic hardship.
- Endurance of extreme pressure, including wars, cyberattacks, and global isolation, without compromising on its support for what it deems Islamic causes—especially the Palestinian issue.
- Statements from top officials implying Iran would rather face destruction than surrender its values or accept domination from foreign powers hostile to Islam.
While some view this stance as reckless or dangerous, others within the country and region interpret it as an expression of spiritual steadfastness and cultural honor.
In a volatile geopolitical climate, such a mindset signals that Iran’s leadership may be prepared to endure tremendous loss—even national devastation—if it means safeguarding the religious and revolutionary principles upon which the state was founded. Whether this stance is symbolic or a true strategic posture remains a matter of global concern.
