Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei says 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.

The Leader made the remarks in a message marking the National Nurses Day on Friday, which is commemorated annually on the birthday anniversary of Hazrat Zaynab, the granddaughter of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon them).

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said the life of Hazrat Zaynab, particularly her role in the epic of Ashura, embodied compassion, patience, courage and steadfastness, qualities that continue to inspire Iranian women and girls.

He said the history of Iran’s Islamic Revolution had been filled from the outset with examples of Zaynab-inspired participation by Iranian women and girls.

This presence had reached remarkable proportions, both in quality and quantity, during the nation’s unprecedented mobilization in the Third Sacred Defense, he said, referring to the US-Israeli aggression on Iran since February.

He added that Iranian women inspired by Hazrat Zaynab were now playing a prominent role in various fields, particularly in public squares in cities and villages, leading by example in explaining the realities of the war and demonstrating resistance behind the front lines.

He said the powers of the day, which seek to inflict suffering, pain and repression on the Iranian nation, not feel capable of confronting this vast mobilization.

Ayatollah Khamenei said the birth anniversary of Hazrat Zaynab had rightly been designated Nurses’ Day in Iran, given her compassion for the afflicted, empathy with those in pain and self-sacrifice in serving them. Many of these moral qualities and human values, he added, were evident among the hardworking and valued nursing community.

He described the role of nurses, like that of doctors, teachers, educators, clerics and relief workers, as one that revives hope and gives reassurance.

“A nurse is sometimes regarded as an angel of mercy, and this is when, in the face of the irritability and impatience of people who are suffering and in pain, they provide the conditions for patients’ peace of mind, hope, recovery and treatment, and, consequently, for divine mercy to descend,” he added.

Unlike doctors, whose work does not generally require the same sustained bedside presence, nurses must remain continuously and patiently engaged with patients, Ayatollah Khamenei said. The impact of this presence extends beyond physical care, helping ease psychological and emotional suffering and preventing despair in many cases.

“In this way, what lies beyond the capacity of physicians is accomplished through this compassionate role,” he said.

Against the backdrop of the malign network of global arrogance, which spares no effort to inflict various forms of injustice and crime on free and resilient nations, particularly the Iranian nation, Ayatollah Khamenei stressed the importance of supporting nurses.

He said the imposition of various restrictions on medical treatment and medicines was among the means used to inflict suffering on the Iranian people.

He said strengthening the nursing community and preserving and improving nurses’ knowledge, skills, capabilities, morale, motivation and dignity were important to society’s physical and psychological health and security, particularly for those who had dedicated themselves to working in public and non-private institutions.

He called on health officials to make these priorities central to their work, building on their commitment to their responsibilities.