Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, commended the recent missile strike on Israel, describing it as a 'shining' achievement by Iran's armed forces. In his first appearance at Friday prayers in about five years, Khamenei expressed readiness to launch similar attacks if deemed necessary.
The missile strike, which took place on Tuesday, saw Iran launching at least 180 missiles at Israel amidst escalating tensions between the two nations and their allies. While Israel claimed to have intercepted many of the missiles with assistance from U.S. destroyers, Iran stated that most of its missiles successfully hit their targets, with no immediate reports of casualties.
Khamenei justified the missile barrage as a legitimate action based on international law, Iran's domestic laws, and Islamic principles. He called on nations across the region, from Afghanistan to Yemen and from Iran to Gaza, to be prepared to confront the perceived enemy and lauded those who had sacrificed their lives in the process.
During his address, Khamenei also paid tribute to the Palestinian people's actions in southern Israel nearly a year ago and emphasized the importance of resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
The supreme leader's speech, delivered partly in Arabic to address Arab nations, underscored Iran's unwavering support for groups like Hezbollah, with whom Iran shares close ties. Iranian officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian and top Revolutionary Guard generals, attended a ceremony commemorating the late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Beirut to discuss the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah with Lebanese officials. Iran also dispatched a shipment of aid, including food and medicine, to Lebanon in a show of solidarity amidst the escalating tensions in the region.
