Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], April 2 (ANI): The representative of Iran's Supreme Leader in India, Abdul Majid Hakim Elahi, expressed gratitude towards Indians who joined the mourning of late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Lucknow, calling India a land of 'loyalty and humanity'.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Abdul Majid Hakim Elahi said, 'He (Ayatollah Ali Khamenei) was the voice of those who had no voice of their own. He was the voice of conscience. These people have come here of their own free will. No one compelled them to come here. This signifies that the land of India is a land of loyalty, humanity, and morality.'

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the joint military strikes by the United States and Israel on February 28, marking the beginning of the West Asia conflict. Iran retaliated with strikes against US and Israeli assets in the region, widening the ambit of the conflict.

There were widespread protests by the Shia community against the US and Israel across India.

On Wednesday, Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, son of late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, called for a comprehensive nationwide drive to restore infrastructure and address the destruction caused by the conflict, state broadcaster Press TV reported.

The Leader's appeal was part of a broader message issued to mark Islamic Republic Day and National Nature Day. He stressed that national efforts must now focus on ensuring the country's continued prosperity in the wake of the recent conflict.

According to Press TV, the Supreme Leader noted that the recent external hostilities had not only impacted the population but had specifically 'targeted its land and natural environment.' He condemned the actions of the opposition, stating that at a time when the 'vile and ruthless American and Zionist enemy knows no human, moral, or existential limits in its savagery,' the nation must remain focused on internal growth.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran could face severe military action in the coming weeks amid the ongoing conflict in the region, stating that Washington's action against the Islamic Republic is 'on the cusp' of ending what he described as Tehran's 'sinister threat' to the US and the world.

Delivering his address to the nation, Trump said that Iran would be hit 'extremely hard' amid ongoing diplomatic talks between the two sides in order to sign a deal to end the conflict, which has been going on for over a month. (ANI)