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Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, publicly endorsed the country’s missile strikes on Israel, labeling them “correct, logical, and lawful” during a rare address to a massive gathering in Tehran on Friday.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, broke his four-year absence from leading Friday prayers in Tehran to condemn Israel’s “astonishing crimes” and justify the recent attack as “the bare minimum punishment”. Khamenei’s words underscore Iran’s unwavering stance against Israel.
Khamenei’s speech was timed to reinforce Iran’s strong stance on regional security, coming as it did on the heels of a substantial missile barrage – almost 200 projectiles – aimed at Israel. Iran maintains that this action was a direct response to the targeted elimination of Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s revered leader.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, employed a linguistic olive branch by speaking Arabic during his address, directly addressing Palestinian and Lebanese supporters. This gesture reinforced Tehran’s commitment to fostering cooperation and unity among regional allies.
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Ayatollah Khamenei’s sermon included a glowing tribute to Hassan Nasrallah, coupled with emphatic endorsement of Hamas and Hezbollah. He characterized these organizations as “vital forces” in the regional landscape, providing indispensable service to the Islamic world and advancing the cause of regional unity.
He said Iran-aligned armed groups “will not back down” in their conflict with Israel, which entered a new phase after Hamas launched deadly raids into Israel almost one year ago.
Hezbollah and Hamas, both recipients of significant Iranian support, operate within a broader landscape of Middle Eastern militant groups backed by Tehran. Collectively, these organizations – which frequently target Israel – have adopted the moniker “Axis of Resistance” to emphasize their shared objectives.
