Iranian officials and media outlets have been paying tribute to the former head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force, Qasem Soleimani, who was assassinated by a US drone strike two years ago.

Speaking at an event in Tehran commemorating Soleimani’s death, President Ebrahim Raisi said that Soleimani was “not just an individual, but a doctrine, and that he will not be destroyed with an assassination and missiles — doctrines remain and survive.” Raisi added that Soleimani’s “path is the continuation of the path of Imam Khomeini and Imam Khamenei.”

In a meeting with Soleimani’s family, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that “honesty and sincerity are the essence of determinant of Soleimani’s doctrine, which built his life and martyrdom.” Khamenei added that the late commander “was and is the most nationalist and religious person in Iran and the world of Islam.” He used the word "ummah," signifying the Muslim nation at large. 

The doctrine of Soleimani, as Iranian officials like to refer to it, is the country’s effort to promote his legacy. As head of the Quds Force, Soleimani was responsible for military operations outside of Iran’s borders, particularly in supporting so-called “resistance groups,” or groups that Iran supports in the region militarily and that are aligned with Iran’s geopolitical ambitions. Soleimani played a large role in supporting Shiite groups in Iraq and various forces in Syria. When Soleimani was assassinated at the Baghdad International Airport, he was with Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the commander of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces who played a significant role with Soleimani in the region in supporting various groups.