On August 2, 2006, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei issued a communiqué to the Islamic nation, which was published by the conservative Iranian news agency Fars.

The following are excerpts: [1]

"...What happened in Lebanon has showed everyone what America's [idea of] 'human rights' [really] is, and has revealed the [true image of] the Middle East that the American government aspires [to create].

"Today, everyone realizes that the attack on Lebanon was planned in advance, and was a Zionist-American operation - a first step towards taking control over the Middle East and over the [entire] Muslim world.

"Bush and his American partners, who are to blame for the tragic events in Lebanon, will be considered just as responsible and accountable [for these events] as the evil and depraved leaders of the Zionist regime... The silence of the U.N. and most of the Western countries, and the support [provided by] some [Western] governments - such as the despicable and notorious British government - turns them into accomplices to the crime, to varying degrees. When humanity places them on trial, today and tomorrow, in demand for an explanation... and when they are required to account [for their conduct] before God, they [too] will be punished."

"The American Regime Can Expect a Resounding Slap and a Devastating Fist-Blow From the Muslim Nation"

"Today more than ever, the Muslim peoples are disgusted and furious with the Americans. The Muslim governments, including those governments whose political statements stem from restrictions [that are placed upon them], are disgusted by the insolent and arrogant oppression and are opposed to it. The American regime can expect a resounding slap and a devastating fist-blow from the Muslim nation for its support of the Zionist crimes and criminals, after it has so brazenly violated the rights of the Muslim peoples.

"The Lebanese people's [resolute] stand and Hizbullah's heroic fighting, and their power to resist, which [is grounded in] faith, patience and trust in God, [all] constitute additional proof of the [spiritual] awakening in the Muslim world, and of its steadfast determination in the face of the vengeful enemies. The iron fist of the believing, brave and oppressed young men of Lebanon has now struck the hideous face of the aggressors, and has broken the cup of their intoxicated arrogance.

"The policy led by the Americans generates insecurity, crisis and war in this region. It is a well-known [fact] that the more insecure nations become, the more angry the peoples [feel], and this makes the world itself increasingly unsafe.

"America's and Israel's aggressive character and conduct revives the spirit of resistance in the Islamic world, [now] more than ever, and make the value of jihad clearer than ever."

"There is No Way to Confront the Barbaric Zionist Wolves and the Aggression of the 'Great Satan' Except Through Martyrdom"

"The Islamic world, and the Muslim youth in all the Islamic countries know that there is no way to confront the barbaric Zionist wolves and the aggression of the 'Great Satan' [i.e. America] except through martyrdom. Capitulation and obedience to the American politicians, and to those who instigate quarrels and internal strife [in the Muslim world], only increase their avarice and insolence, making their actions against the [Muslim] peoples more severe.

"If Lebanon had surrendered to the Israeli and American aggression, and if the fighting young men of Hizbullah and the oppressed people of South [Lebanon] had not taken upon themselves the anguish of this holy war, then the entire Lebanese people would have been threatened by more prolonged agony and by ever-increasing suffering, and this attack would have eventually engulfed the entire region."

"Hizbullah is the Front Line of Defense for the Muslim Nation and for all the Peoples of the Region"

"Today, Hizbullah is the front line of defense for the Muslim nation and for all the peoples of the region, regardless of religion and faith. As far as the Zionist enemy is concerned, there is no difference between a mosque and a church, or between Shiites and Sunnis. It is a racist, aggressive and bloodthirsty regime. If it encounters no obstacle, it will not refrain from [perpetrating] any crime against any sector or people. The peoples of the region, the [various] Islamic sectors, and the followers of the various religions in Lebanon and in all Muslim countries should unite and [stand] shoulder to shoulder, rather than allow internal disputes to bolster the enemy's strength.

"The Islamic [Republic of] Iran knows its role in resisting the aggression and belligerence of America and the evil of the Zionist regime - it will stand by any oppressed nation, and especially by the beloved Lebanese people and the fighting Palestinian people.

"America is the one responsible for these tragic disasters, owing to its blatant support of the killing of Lebanese citizens, its firm opposition to a ceasefire in Lebanon, and the military, financial and political aid [it provides] to the Zionist aggressors. Now, by imposing its terms on the government and people of Lebanon, it means to oppress them doubly.

"There can be no doubt that this rebelling nation and these courageous fighters will not tolerate this type of oppression any longer, and will reject any decision except one that is based on their interests."