In a statement during his first Friday sermon in five years, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei proclaimed that Israel “won’t last long,” reinforcing Iran’s unwavering support for Palestinian and Lebanese militant groups. Speaking to a large gathering at a Tehran mosque, Khamenei used the occasion to defend missile strikes against Israel, branding them as a “public service” to the region.
With a firearm prominently displayed at his side, Khamenei addressed the crowd, which erupted in chants of “we are with you,” expressing solidarity with the resistance against Israel. His bold rhetoric comes amid escalating tensions and ongoing threats to his safety, as he is regarded as a primary target for Israeli retaliation following recent missile attacks.
During his sermon, Khamenei paid tribute to the late Hassan Nasrallah, the former leader of Hezbollah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut the previous week. Describing Nasrallah as “the high-standing flag against the Zionist enemy,” Khamenei emphasised that “His martyrdom will further increase this influence. The loss of Nasrallah is not in vain.”
He characterised Hezbollah as a “blessed tree” that has thrived under Nasrallah’s guidance and reaffirmed his commitment to resisting perceived enemies. “It is the duty and responsibility of all Muslims to support the oppressed people of Lebanon and assist in the struggle for al-Aqsa mosque,” he urged, calling for unity in the face of conflict.
It is our duty and the responsibility of all #Muslims to repay our debt to the wounded, bloodied #Lebanon.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) October 4, 2024
Khamenei also extended his support to Hamas, commending their attacks on Israel on October 7 as a “correct move.” He argued that no international law could condemn the Lebanese and Palestinians for rising against the occupation, framing their actions as justified resistance.
Furthermore, Khamenei condemned Israel as a “tool” of the United States, designed to exert control over the region’s resources. Iran continues to provide backing to both Hamas and Hezbollah in their respective struggles, marking a significant escalation in rhetoric as tensions in the Middle East intensify.
This Friday sermon marks Khamenei’s return to leading prayers since January 2020, a period following a missile attack on a US military base in Iraq after the assassination of prominent Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani.
