Iran’s Supreme Chief, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, declared that Israel ‘is not going to final lengthy’ throughout a uncommon Friday sermon at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla Mosque. Talking to tens of hundreds of supporters, Khamenei led the Friday prayers for the primary time in years. This marked his first public look since Iran launched 180 ballistic missiles at Israel.
Huge crowd in attendance on the Grand Mosalla Mosque was seen waving flags of Palestine, Hezbollah, and Lebanon. With a gun by his facet, Iran’s Supreme Chief declared that Israel wouldn’t succeed in opposition to Hamas or Hezbollah. In response to which the group within the mosque chanted ‘we’re with you’ all through the grounds.
As tensions escalate within the area, Israel, backed by the US, has vowed to retaliate in opposition to the latest missile barrage. Ayatollah Khamenei’s first Friday sermon in 5 years serves as a big show of defiance amid ongoing threats to his life.
In his speech, Khamenei additionally counseled Hassan Nasrallah, the previous chief of the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut final week.
“Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah might not be with us, however his spirit and legacy will proceed to encourage us indefinitely. He was a distinguished image of resistance in opposition to the Zionist enemy. His martyrdom will solely improve this affect. The lack of Nasrallah is not going to be in useless. We should unite in opposition to the enemy whereas fortifying our unwavering religion,” Khamenei informed the gathering.
Iran’s Supreme Chief, who helps the Palestinian Hamas group, described their October 7 assaults on Israel as a “appropriate transfer.” He emphasised that no worldwide legislation ought to oppose the Lebanese and Palestinians for defending themselves in opposition to occupation. Addressing hundreds throughout the 40-minute deal with, Khamenei described the assault as a official act by the Palestinian individuals.
Khamenei, 80, talking after a prayer ceremony for Nasrallah, characterised Israel as a ‘instrument’ of the US used to exert management over regional lands and sources.
Khamenei delivered half of his speech in Arabic, directing his remarks particularly to Arab nations.
“Our resisting individuals in Lebanon and Palestine, you courageous fighters, you loyal and affected person individuals, these martyrdoms and the blood that was shed shouldn’t shake your dedication however make you extra persistent,” he mentioned.
Earlier than Khamenei’s speech, a ceremony was held to honor the late Lebanese Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah. Many prime Iranian officers, together with President Masoud Pezeshkian and senior Revolutionary Guard generals, attended the occasion. Iran, Hezbollah’s essential supporter, has supplied the group with weapons and billions of {dollars}.
The Iranian chief final led Friday prayers in January 2020, following a missile assault on a U.S. military base in Iraq that was a response to the killing of prime Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani. Iran continues to help each Hamas and Hezbollah, that are engaged in battle with Israel on its southern and northern fronts.
