Iran’s supreme leader praises missile attacks on Israel as a ‘bright’ – national act
Iran’s supreme leader on Friday praised the country’s latest missile strike on Israel and said it was ready to do it again if necessary, state TV reported.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in his first appearance as the leader of Friday prayers in nearly five years, called the strike a “brilliant” operation by Iran’s military.
On Tuesday, Iran launched at least 180 missiles at Israel, the latest in a rapidly escalating series of attacks between Israel and Iran and its allies that threaten to push the Middle East closer to regional conflict. Israel said it intercepted most of the missiles, and officials in Washington said US destroyers helped defend Israel.
Iran said most of its missiles hit its targets. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
Khamenei, 85, said in a 40-minute speech to thousands of people at the Mosalla mosque, Tehran’s main place of worship, that the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel nearly a year ago on October 7, 2023, was legitimate. action of the Palestinian people.
He said Tuesday’s missile was based on international law, international law and Islamic beliefs.
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He urged countries from “Afghanistan to Yemen and from Iran to Gaza and Yemen” to be ready to take action against the enemy, and praised those who died doing so.
“Our people who are resisting Lebanon and Palestine, you are brave fighters, you are honest and patient people, this martyrdom and the blood that was shed should not shake your determination but make you persevere,” he said.
Khamenei gave part of the speech in Arabic during his address to the Arab nations.
His last appearance at Friday prayers was after the death of Guard General Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in 2020 in a US military strike in Baghdad.
A ceremony to commemorate the death of Lebanon’s Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was held before Khamenei’s speech. Most of Iran’s top officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian and top Revolutionary Guard generals, attended the event.
Iran is a major supporter of Hezbollah and has sent arms and billions of dollars to the group.
Also on Friday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, where he was expected to discuss the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah with Lebanese officials.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Iran sent aid to Lebanon, including ten tons of food and medicine.
© 2024 The Canadian Press
