Israel-Iran War: In a rare Friday sermon, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei defended Irans recent missile strike on Israel, labeling it as a legal and legitimate act. With a rifle at his side during the address in Tehran, Khamenei emphasized that the missile attack on Israel was merely the minimum punishment in response to Israels actions.“The operation carried out by our armed forces a few nights ago was completely justified and within the bounds of legality,” Khamenei stated, addressing a large crowd. The Supreme Leader also called for greater unity among Muslims worldwide, urging them to stand together in the face of adversity.Israel cannot harm HezbollahDuring the sermon, Khamenei confidently claimed that Israel is incapable of causing serious harm to Hezbollah or Hamas, both of which are heavily involved in the ongoing conflict. According to Khamenei, the fight waged by these groups against Israel is not only justified but also critical for regional stability. He also described Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, which claimed over 1,200 lives, including those of foreigners, as logical and legal.Inshallah We will destroy IsraelIn his statement, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said, Inshallah, we will destroy Israel. Al-Aqsa Storm was a right, logical and legal international move. It was the least punishment for the Zionists. The Islamic Republic will respond to any action with complete firmness. It is Hezbollahs duty to defend Gaza. If necessary, we will still make honest promises. We will not delay or rush, and we will not fall short, and the response will be at the appropriate time and place. The Zionist regime will not survive even with American support. The Zionist regime will never win over Hamas and Hezbollah. Israel is just a tool for America to take over all the lands and resources of the region. The resistance in the region will not retreat with the martyrdom of its leaders and men, and victory will be its ally. The axis of resistance pushed back the Zionist regime by 70 years. Every blow to the Zionist regime is a service to all humanity.Necessary to honor my brother Hasan NasrallahHe also stated, Following the martyrdom of Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah and on the eve of the first anniversary of the epic Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, Imam Khamenei led the Friday Prayers on October 4, 2024, in the Imam Khomeini (ra) Musalla. I believe its necessary to honor my brother, my dear one, who was a source of pride for me, an admired personage in the Islamic world & the articulate voice of the nations in the region, the shining jewel of Lebanon, Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah, during this Friday Prayer in Tehran.He further said, Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah is no longer among us physically, but his path and his resonant voice are and will continue to be with us. He was the articulate voice and brave supporter of the oppressed. Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah brought assurance and courage to the fighters and seekers of truth. The scope of his popularity and influence extended beyond Lebanon, Iran, and Arab countries, and now his martyrdom will increase his influence even more. Martyr Nasrallahs most important message during his lifetime to the people of Lebanon was to not despair over the loss of prominent figures such as Imam Musa Sadr, Sayyid Abbas Mousavi to increase your efforts to stand up to the aggressive enemy and to defeat them.My dear ones! The devoted Lebanese nation! The exuberant youth of Hezbollah and Amal! My children! This is what our martyred Sayyid wants today from his people, the Resistance Front, and the entire Islamic Ummah. Since the evil, abject enemy is unable to inflict serious harm on the solid Hezbollah organization, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, it considers terrorism and the killing of civilians to be a sign of its victory, he added.Aftermath of Israeli bombardmentThe retaliatory bombardment by Israel in Gaza has had devastating consequences, with reports indicating that at least 40,000 people, including 15,000 children, have lost their lives. Israel has vowed to militarily dismantle Hamas and remove its influence from Gaza as the war intensifies.Reprisal for the assassinations of Nasrallah and HaniyehKhameneis sermon came in the wake of the deaths of Hezbollah chief Hasan Nasrallah and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Nasrallah was killed by an Israeli airstrike in Beiruts Dahiya suburb, a Hezbollah stronghold, while Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran. Irans missile attack on Israel was framed as retaliation for these high-profile killings, which were seen as a major blow to the Iranian regime.
