The Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei offered condolences to the family of the martyred Seyyed Razi Mousavi on Thursday and praised his role in the IRGC, praying for the martyr to rest in peace in paradise. 

Mousavi was killed by "Israel" in a strike on the Syrian capital in Damascus on Monday.

The Iranian commander was martyred after the Israeli occupation launched three missiles at his location in the suburbs of the Syrian capital of Damascus, as reported by an Al Mayadeen correspondent.

During the funeral procession of Mousavi, Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander-in-Chief Hossein Salami declared that Operation al-Aqsa Flood was a purely Palestinian act that was wholly planned and executed solely by Palestinians, insisting that it was carried out independently, with no foreign influence.

IRGC Commander-in-Chief Hossein Salami during the funeral procession of martyred IRGC commander Razi Musavi: Al-Aqsa Flood is an entirely Palestinian operation, independent and distant from our vengeance for the blood of martyr Qasem Soleimani. Our revenge still stands, and we… https://t.co/Lv8W6YVm83

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) December 28, 2023

Mousavi was one of the oldest IRGC commanders in Syria and he was close to the martyred commander of the IRGC's elite Quds Force, Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani. 

Salami underlined that "The operation was carried out "separately from Iran's retaliation for Martyr Qassem Soleimani, which is still there for the taking and with many options on the table in that regard."

"Al-Aqsa Flood is the fruit of the Palestinian struggle and a response to the occupation and its hostile actions against al-Aqsa Mosque and the Palestinian people," the Iranian top commander stressed.

Talking about Martyr Razi Mousavi, Salami underlined that his comrade was "the main pillar of Resistance in the region, as the fruits of his labor are today visible in Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine."

"Martyr Razi spent his life in the struggle of Resistance and sacrifices, and he was a companion of Resistance fighter martyr Qassem Soleimani," he added. "The desperation and defeat of the enemy are due to his struggle [on the path of liberation]."

The Israeli occupation, Salami said, "knew martyr Mousavi very well - perhaps more than us - because it received several heavy blows from him [...] It also knows martyr Mousavi's influence on the Resistance Front that is confronting it and the United States."

"We will not stand idle regarding the killing and martyrdom of our compatriots; our revenge will be stern and severe, and it will be nothing short of putting an end to the Israeli entity," the Iranian commander stressed.

Mousavi assassination sign of frustration

Commenting on Mousavi's assassination, the IRGC underlined that "there is no doubt that the Israeli occupation entity will pay the price for this crime."

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi mourned Mousavi, vowing that the Israeli occupation would pay the price for its crime.

Raisi issued later in the day a statement extending his condolences to the Islamic Republic and its people, as well as Mousavi's comrades in the IRGC.

The Iranian President said the assassination of the top commander was a sign of frustration and weakness from the Israeli occupation, underlining once again that the Israeli occupation would "definitely pay a price for its crime."

In a related context, an Israeli official suggested that the Israeli occupation forces are preparing for an Iranian response to the killing of Mousavi.

According to the Israeli official, Israeli intel prompted the occupation forces to be on alert and expect a response from Iran after it was found that "Israel" was behind the assassination of Mousavi in Syria.

"The Israeli army is preparing for an Iranian response that might entail missile strikes from Syria and Lebanon," the official said.