Ayatollah Khamenei denounces restrictions on healthcare as part of a broader campaign of injustice against Iran, praising nurses as vital defenders of human dignity, public well-being and the nation’s resilience in times of crisis.

TEHRAN -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei said Friday the "malicious network of global arrogance" is sparing no effort to inflict injustice and suffering on free and resistant nations, particularly Iran, including through restrictions on medical treatment and medicines.

In a message marking National Nurses Day, commemorated annually on the birthday anniversary of Hazrat Zaynab (SA), the granddaughter of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him), the Leader praised the role of "Zaynab-like women and girls" of Islamic Iran during the nation's "unprecedented revival".

"Today, the Zaynab-like women of Islamic Iran, with their strong presence in various arenas, especially in the fields of cities and villages, are the pioneers of practical clarification and resistance behind the lines of hard war; so much so that the tyrants of the time, who always want the suffering, pain, and suppression of this nation, do not see in themselves the ability to confront this vast army," Ayatollah Khamenei said.

The Leader described Hazrat Zaynab's upbringing in the "luminous school" of the Ahl al-Bayt over more than fifty years as manifesting a "colorful array of elements of honor and superiority," with its peak occurring in the Ashura epic — combining "boundless compassion and patient empathy for the oppressed of the Karbala plain" with being "one of the most dignified symbols of steadfastness and courage."

"The history of the Islamic movement and revolution has been, from the beginning, full of scenes of the Zaynab-like presence of Iranian women and girls. This matter found astonishing quality and quantity during the era of the unparalleled revival of the nation that occurred in the third sacred defense," he said.

Regarding nurses, the Leader said the role of nurses, like that of physicians, teachers, educators, clerics, and relief workers, is "reviving and hope-inspiring."

"Therefore, a nurse is sometimes viewed as an angel of mercy, and that is when, in the face of the ill-temper and impatience of ailing and suffering individuals, they bring about calm, hope, recovery, and treatment of patients and, as a result, the descent of divine mercy," Ayatollah Khamenei said.

"The impact of this kind of presence goes beyond physical matters and will be a balm for psychological and spiritual pains, and in many cases, a barrier to the dominance of despair. This is how what is beyond the capacity of physicians is accomplished through the fulfillment of this compassionate role," he added.

"In an era when the malicious network of arrogance does not refrain from any effort to inflict all kinds of injustice and crime on free and resistant nations, especially the Iranian nation, including by creating all kinds of restrictions related to treatment and medicine, attention to nurses, strengthening the nursing community, preserving and elevating the knowledge, skills, ability, vitality, motivation, and dignity of nurses, especially those who have devoted themselves to working in non-private institutions, has an important impact on the physical and mental health and security of society," the Leader said.

He expressed expectation that "health officials, in line with their committed behaviors, consider these important matters a priority."

The Leader congratulated the nation, "duty-conscious and determined women of the Islamic homeland," and particularly nurses on the two occasions.

He invoked divine mercy for the "oppressed and devoted martyrs of the nursing community, especially nurse martyrs in the second and third imposed wars and the Dey 1404 sedition".

The Leader expressed hope that "through the prayers of our master, may God hasten his noble reappearance, the Almighty God will grant the Iranian nation greater dignity and authority and everything worthy of following the school of Zaynab, peace be upon her."