Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has publicly defended the recent missile strikes on Israel, calling them “correct, logical, and lawful.” Speaking before a large crowd in Tehran on Friday, Khamenei described the strikes as the “minimum punishment” for what he referred to as Israel’s “astonishing crimes.”
This marked the first time since 2020 that Khamenei led Friday prayers in the capital, a notable event following Iran’s launch of nearly 200 missiles at Israel three days prior. The missile strikes were said to be in retaliation for the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
In a rare move, Khamenei addressed parts of his speech in Arabic, directly appealing to supporters in Palestine and Lebanon. He praised Hezbollah and Hamas, reaffirming Iran’s support for these groups, which he claimed were providing “vital service to the region and the Islamic world.” Khamenei also asserted that Iran-aligned factions would continue their fight against Israel.
Iran, a principal backer of Hezbollah and Hamas, has frequently supported armed groups across the Middle East in their attacks on Israel, collectively referred to as the “Axis of Resistance.” In recent weeks, several senior figures within these Iran-backed groups, along with members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, have been killed in Israeli strikes or targeted assassinations.
Khamenei’s public appearance before tens of thousands of supporters in Tehran is seen as a response to the escalating situation and to dispel rumors that he had been moved to a secure location after Nasrallah’s assassination. His presence also emphasized Iran’s position as a central figure in the resistance movement against Israel.
This rare sermon, held at the Grand Mosalla Mosque in Tehran, followed reports of widespread domestic unrest within Iran. Khamenei’s message of defiance was underscored by the presence of a large Palestinian flag among the crowd, who were provided with free transportation to attend.
Khamenei holds ultimate power in Iran but rarely leads Friday prayers, having last done so in 2020 following the assassination of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani by the U.S. The appearance comes as Iran continues to grapple with the deaths of key figures, including Nasrallah and Hamas’s political leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Tehran in July, a killing widely attributed to Israel.
In his sermon, Khamenei warned that Iran would retaliate if Israel responded to the missile attack. He indicated that further strikes could happen, stating, “If we needed to do that again, we would do it again in the future.”
Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden hinted that discussions had taken place about a possible Israeli strike on Iran’s oil infrastructure as Israel weighs its response.
