Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has declared that neither Iran nor its regional allies will retreat in their opposition to Israel. He made this statement during a rare Friday sermon, calling for unity among Muslim nations. The sermon was delivered at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla mosque in central Tehran, marking Khamenei’s first public appearance since Iran launched a major missile strike on Israel earlier in the week.
On Tuesday, Iran fired around 200 ballistic missiles at Israel. This massive strike came as a response to Israel’s targeted killings of senior Hezbollah, Hamas, and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) leaders, including Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah. These events have led to increased tensions in Lebanon, where Israeli airstrikes continue.
Khamenei made it clear that Iran and its allies will remain firm. “The resistance in the region will not back down even with the killing of its leaders,” he said, calling the missile attack “legal and legitimate.” He argued that the strikes were justified as retaliation for what he described as “heinous crimes committed by this bloodthirsty criminal entity,” referring to Israel.
Doctors Call for U.S. to End Support for Israel, Denounce Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
In his speech, Khamenei emphasized that Iran will act carefully, fulfilling its duties to its allies. “We will not act irrationally … not act impulsively,” he stated. He also stressed that Iran’s actions will follow decisions made by both the political and military leadership. This indicates a calculated approach from Iran as it continues to support its regional allies against Israel.
Khamenei’s Message to Israel and the World
Al Jazeera’s reporter Resul Serdar, covering the event from Tehran, noted that Khamenei’s sermon came at a “delicate and intense time.” The sermon sent a clear message to Israel and the world. Serdar explained that Khamenei’s appearance showed that Iran’s leadership is not hiding or seeking shelter despite the escalating conflict. The timing of this sermon, Khamenei’s first in over four years, is significant, especially as it coincides with the upcoming anniversary of Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel.
The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, which has spilled over into Lebanon, has claimed over 41,700 Palestinian lives so far. The conflict shows no signs of abating, and Khamenei’s statements signal that Iran will continue to play an active role in the region’s resistance against Israel.
Khamenei’s rare public appearance reinforces Iran’s commitment to its allies in the region and its readiness to continue the struggle against Israel. His sermon also reflects the broader geopolitical situation in the Middle East, where tensions between Israel and Iranian-backed groups like Hezbollah and Hamas are at an all-time high. Iran’s leadership remains defiant, signaling that the conflict will continue, with both sides showing no inclination to back down.
The regional situation is highly volatile, and Khamenei’s words underscore the potential for further escalation as Iran and its allies maintain their resistance in the face of Israeli actions.