یاسر سلیمانی

National identity is the highest level of collective identity in a society and a sense of adherence, attachment, and commitment to the national community, which is considered a part of collective identity. Since national identity plays a crucial role in national unity and political legitimacy, it is crucial to address this issue. As a prominent resistance figure and symbol of Iranian Islamic identity and counterterrorism, Qassem Soleimani founded a new school of national solidarity, promoted Shiite identity, mobilized resources, and became the basis for reproducing national identity in Iran. Therefore, the purpose of the current research was to explain the role of Qassem Soleimani's performance in the reproduction of the national identity of the Islamic Republic and to answer the question of what role Qassem Soleimani's performance had in the reproduction of the national identity in political, religious and territorial dimensions. The current research method was fundamental regarding the purpose and utilized the descriptive-analytical data collection approach. The results of the present study indicated that Qassem Soleimani, by creating a new school of thought, hegemonizing the discourse of resistance and Shiite religion, activating the protest of Muslims, and creating a cultural heartland among Shiites as a campaign strategy, caused the reproduction of national identity in the Islamic Republic.

Qassem Soleimani, as a prominent figure of resistance and a symbol of Iranian-Islamic identi-ty, as well as the fight against terrorism worldwide, by establishing a modern school, contrib-uted to national solidarity and the promotion of Shia identity. This, in turn, strengthened the national security of the Islamic Republic in both military and political dimensions. Soleimani emerged as a national hero during the Iran-Iraq War and in the fight against ISIS, embodying a model of national champion. Therefore, his independent personality became an influential factor in advancing national security for the Islamic Republic. Considering himself a home-land soldier, Soleimani, while defending Islam, also symbolized the defense of the homeland. Accordingly, the goal of this research was to identify and explain the role and performance of Qassem Soleimani in the national security of the Islamic Republic and answer the question of what role his performance played in Iran's national security. The research methodology was descriptive and analytical, both in terms of the primary objective and the method of data col-lection. The research results indicate that Qassem Soleimani, through the creation of a dis-course of resistance and mobilization of resources, contributed to strengthening the national security of the Islamic Republic.