Iran Justifies Strikes on Israel as “Logical and Lawful”
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, recently defended Iran’s missile strikes on Israel as “correct, logical, and lawful.” In front of a vast crowd gathered at the Grand Mosalla Mosque in Tehran, Khamenei stated that the strikes were the “minimum punishment” for Israel’s “astonishing crimes.” This was a rare appearance for Khamenei, who has not led Friday prayers since 2020, following the U.S. assassination of Qassem Soleimani.
The missile strikes on Israel, carried out three days earlier, were seen as retaliation for the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Khamenei, addressing part of his speech in Arabic to communicate directly with Palestinian and Lebanese supporters, praised Nasrallah and voiced strong support for Hamas and Hezbollah. He called these groups vital for providing “service to the entire region and the entire Islamic world.”
Khamenei made it clear that Iran-aligned groups, including Hezbollah and Hamas, would not back down in their struggle against Israel. The conflict entered a new phase nearly a year ago, with Hamas launching deadly raids into Israel. Khamenei emphasized that armed resistance would continue as a response to Israel’s actions.
Iran has long been a principal backer of Hezbollah and Hamas, along with other armed groups in the Middle East that are part of what is called the “Axis of Resistance.” In recent weeks, several senior leaders of Iran-backed groups, as well as members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, have been targeted in Israeli strikes. Iran’s allies, including Nasrallah and Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, have been killed in recent months, further escalating tensions in the region.
Khamenei’s Support for Hezbollah and Hamas
Khamenei’s appearance was not only an effort to rally domestic support but also a response to speculation that he had gone into hiding following Nasrallah’s assassination. His attendance at the crowded mosque in Tehran was a show of strength and an attempt to reinforce Iran’s image as the leader of the Axis of Resistance.
The Iranian leader concluded his speech by threatening further retaliation if Israel launches a response to the missile attack. U.S. President Joe Biden had hinted at a potential Israeli strike on Iran’s oil infrastructure, adding to the uncertainty. Khamenei warned, “If we needed to do that again, we would do it again in the future,” signaling Iran’s readiness for further action if necessary.
The Grand Mosalla Mosque was filled with tens of thousands of supporters, with many Iranians being provided free transport to attend the sermon. The gathering, complete with a large Palestinian flag seen among the crowd, illustrated the Iranian regime’s desire to project strength amidst widespread domestic unrest. Khamenei’s words underscored Iran’s unyielding stance in its regional conflicts and affirmed the country’s commitment to supporting its allies in the face of escalating hostilities with Israel.
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