In a meeting with the heads of the three branches of the Iranian government and a number of the country’s officials, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei expressed deep condolences over the earthquake in Kermanshah in western Iran and appreciated the presence of officials in the quake-hit regions and their compassion for the people, stressing, “These sympathies must strongly continue in the realm of action and help for the people, so that it will ease their pain and woes.”
Ayatollah Khamenei touched upon the bereavement of the people of Kermanshah in this incident, saying, “We share this grief with the brave people and valorous guardians of the border in Kermanshah province.”
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution added, “Calamity and the loss of loved ones is bitter and difficult, but we hope that God Almighty will bestow his peace and serenity upon the hearts of the bereaved families and delight them with his grace and blessing.”
He said the flowing of the blood of kindness and cooperation in the veins of a Muslim society is one of the effects of such incidents and added, “These incidents bring everyone onto the scenes of cooperation and we hope that as a result of this kindness and camaraderie, divine blessings will be bestowed upon the courageous people of the warrior-raising land of Kermanshah and all of the Iranian nation.”
Ayatollah Khamenei described the recent bitter event as a divine test and a stage for the officials to fulfill their responsibilities and added, “In these two days, officials, including the respected president, sympathized with the devastated people by going into their midst and these sympathies must strongly continue in the realm of action and help for the people and reduce the pain, suffering and woes of the people given the cold weather and upcoming difficult cold season.”
In the meeting, President Rouhani pointed to the efforts made by all institutions in the relief and rescue operations and attending to the injured and survivors of the incident, saying, “This incident is a test and trial for us and I am grateful to all of the institutions that have been making an effort, such as the Armed Forces which went into action very well.”