Following are excerpts from a TV report on Iranian leader Ali Khamenei greeting wounded veterans of the Iran-Iraq war. The report aired on Al-Manar TV on October 1, 2011.

Reporter: During Sacred Defense Week, wounded war veterans came to Tehran from all the provinces of Iran, with their afflictions and their pain, with a single desire in mind: to see the Leader and Imam [Khamenei]. Their wish was fulfilled. He approached them, embraced them, and listened to their sorrows and concerns.

Wounded veteran: Allow me to kiss your forehead and your beard. Allow me to kiss both your cheeks.

Another wounded veteran: Please hug me.

Reporter: He asked each and every one of them how and where they were wounded. He looked into their eyes, and told them that the steadfastness and strength of the Iranian people were brought about by the sacrifice they made, defending the revolution, freedom, and independence.

These are wounded veterans who lost arms and legs. Among them are some people who are completely paralyzed, and have lost their capacity for speech, but they greeted the Leader in their own way.

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A wounded leader meets his comrades-in-arms, and relives with them memories that left marks upon their bodies – marks that shaped the history of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

This visit soothed the pain of men wounded by the fire of arrogance, which attempted to turn against a young revolution – a revolution that toppled the fiercest king of the Middle East. They are proud of their wounded leader, who used to say to them: "Proceed toward death and I will lead you."

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