Articles Part Seven: Soleimani After Martyrdom – The Test of Loyalty and Continuation of the Legacy (Part Three)

 Political Section

The Survival of Soleimani’s Name in the Future of Resistance

Today, the name “Qassem Soleimani” has gone beyond the borders of Iran and has turned into a common banner among nations and liberation movements.
This name has become a symbol of unity in the face of occupiers and colonialists, and has found a place in the collective memory of nations that the passage of time not only fails to fade, but rather deepens and expands.
When the young generations of the region hear his name, an image of resistance, faith, and victory forms in their minds.

Media and Political Distortions after the Martyrdom

The martyrdom of General Soleimani triggered a wave of media and political distortions by the enemies of Iran and the Axis of Resistance.
These distortions were aimed at tarnishing Soleimani’s image, reducing his influence on public opinion, and justifying the illegal act of the United States in assassinating him.
Western media and some hostile governments—especially the U.S. and the Zionist regime—tried to portray Soleimani as a “terrorist,” while documents and evidence clearly show his unique role in combating terrorism and defending the oppressed.

Media Efforts to Defame Soleimani

Immediately after his martyrdom, Western media outlets such as CNN, BBC, and Fox News, by publishing one-sided reports, attempted to present a negative image of him.
For example, they claimed that Soleimani was responsible for attacks against American forces in Iraq, without mentioning his crucial role in defeating ISIS and saving the people of Iraq and Syria from this terrorist group.

Donald Trump, the then U.S. president, in statements without providing evidence, claimed that Soleimani was planning attacks against U.S. interests, a claim that even within the U.S. faced skepticism.
For instance, reports from the U.S. Congress in 2020 indicated that no specific evidence existed to justify Soleimani’s assassination.

The Zionist regime, through its affiliated media such as The Jerusalem Post and Haaretz, also sought to depict Soleimani as a threat to regional security.
These outlets, by focusing on Iran’s regional role, tried to portray Soleimani’s actions in supporting resistance groups like Hezbollah and Hamas as “destabilizing activities.”
However, Soleimani, as a strategist, strengthened the Axis of Resistance, preventing the expansion of Zionist influence in the region.

Resistance Against Distortions

In response to these distortions, resistance media and independent outlets around the world sought to reveal the truth about Soleimani’s role.
News networks such as Al-Manar, Press TV, and Al-Alam, through documentary reports, highlighted Soleimani’s role in fighting ISIS and supporting oppressed nations.

For example, the documentary “The Borderless Commander” produced by Iranian media, through interviews with Iraqi and Syrian officials, showed how Soleimani played a key role in the liberation of cities such as Mosul and Aleppo.

In addition, the publication of books such as “I Am Qassem Soleimani” and “Haj Qassem,” as well as the production of films and TV series about his life, helped clarify his character and deeds.
Social media also played a major role in countering distortions.
Users from Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, and even non-Muslims worldwide posted content and hashtags such as #HajQassem and #SoleimaniLegacy to defend the truth.

Ongoing Challenges

Despite these efforts, media distortions still continue.
Western media, with huge budgets and global influence, strive to impose their narrative on public opinion.
This issue is especially challenging in countries where access to independent media is limited.
Nevertheless, the growing popularity of Soleimani among the peoples of the region and the world indicates the relative failure of these distortions.
His images and messages are still seen on the streets of Baghdad, Damascus, Beirut, and Sanaa, which itself is evidence of the enemy’s failure to tarnish his image.

The Fear of the U.S. and the Zionist Regime

The United States and the Zionist regime, who imagined that by assassinating Soleimani they could weaken the Axis of Resistance, faced a completely different reality after his martyrdom.
The millions-strong funeral processions in Iran and Iraq, the anti-American and anti-Zionist slogans, and the increase of resistance operations against the interests of these two regimes showed that Soleimani, even after martyrdom, remains a threat to them.

For instance, Iran’s missile attack on the Ain al-Asad base in Iraq, which caused significant damage to U.S. military infrastructure, was a clear message that Soleimani’s assassination not only did not halt the resistance, but rather strengthened it.

Even Western analysts have admitted this.
An article in Foreign Policy magazine in 2020 stated that Soleimani’s assassination, instead of weakening Iran, increased its influence in the region.
Similarly, reports from American think tanks such as the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) showed that Soleimani’s martyrdom led to a strengthened spirit of resistance and increased hostility toward the U.S. across the region.

The Zionist regime, which viewed Soleimani as a strategic threat, also faced concern over the spread of the ideology of resistance after his death.
Israeli security reports during 2020 and 2021 repeatedly referred to the “ghost of Soleimani,” warning that his legacy continues to influence operations by Hezbollah, Hamas, and other resistance groups.
For example, the increase of rocket attacks from Gaza on the occupied territories and Hezbollah’s operations along the Lebanese borders showed the continuing effect of Soleimani’s strategies.

Soleimani as a Civilizational Symbol for the Future

The Commander of Hearts, Martyr Qassem Soleimani, was beyond a military commander; he was a symbol of a new and future-building civilization in the Islamic world and even beyond it.
With a combination of deep faith, unmatched courage, intelligent strategy, and pure sincerity, he created a model that inspires not only the present generation but also future generations.
This extraordinary personality demonstrated that it is possible, by relying on human and Islamic values, to stand against oppression and arrogance and lay the foundation for a new civilization based on justice, resistance, and freedom.

Soleimani and the Unity of the Islamic Ummah

One of the most prominent aspects of Soleimani’s legacy was his role in connecting the Islamic Ummah — a unity that transcended sectarian, ethnic, and geographical borders.
He offered his unreserved support to various resistance groups, from Shiites to Sunnis, and even Christians and other minorities in the region.
This was not merely a political or military cooperation, but a clear reflection of his deep belief that the struggle against oppression and arrogance is a universal human cause.

A clear example of this approach was his support for Iraqi Christians against ISIS atrocities and his close cooperation with Sunni groups in fighting terrorism — examples that clearly emphasize his efforts to create unity among the Islamic Ummah.