Tehran (diplomat.so) - Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appeared in public on Friday for the first time since Iran's missile attack on Israel, declaring it a "legitimate punishment" for what he described as Israeli crimes. Speaking during Friday prayers in Tehran, his first sermon in nearly five years, Khamenei called for increased resistance efforts against Israel, urging adversaries in the region to "double your efforts and capabilities" to counter what he referred to as the "aggressive enemy."
In a further escalation of tensions, the deputy commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), Ali Fadavi, warned that Iran would target Israel’s energy infrastructure if attacked. "If the occupiers make such a mistake, we will target all their energy sources, installations, and all refineries and gas fields," Fadavi said, according to Iranian media. The IRGC remains one of Iran’s most powerful military forces, and its statements reflect Tehran's readiness for further confrontation.
Iran launched a series of missile strikes on Israel earlier in the week, framing the action as retaliation for the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut and Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. While Israel has not claimed responsibility for these killings, Iran continues to hold it accountable, framing the missile attacks as a necessary response to what it views as provocations.
Khamenei’s sermon, delivered in both Arabic and Persian, paid tribute to Nasrallah, calling him a key ally in the fight against Israel. He also criticized the United States and its allies, accusing them of supporting Israel to secure control over the region's resources. "Every strike against Israel serves the region and all of humanity," Khamenei stated, underscoring his belief in the resistance movements in Lebanon and Palestine.
Concluding his address, Khamenei justified the missile attack as both "legal and legitimate," emphasizing that Iran would neither delay nor rush in its actions to confront Israel. He reiterated Iran's commitment to what he described as its duty, promising continued resistance against Israeli aggression.
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