TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s supreme leader praised on Friday his country’s recent missile attack against Israel and stated that he was ready to repeat it if necessary, as reported by state television.
In his first appearance to lead Friday prayers in about five years, Ayatollah Ali Jamenei described the operation as a "brilliant" job by the Iranian armed forces.
Iran fired at least 180 missiles towards Israel on Tuesday, in the latest episode of a rapid escalation of attacks between Israel and Tehran and its Arab allies that threatens to plunge the Middle East into a regional war. Israel said it intercepted many of the projectiles and officials in Washington indicated that US destroyers assisted in the country's defense. According to the Islamic Republic, most of the rockets reached their targets. No immediate casualties were reported.
In his 40-minute speech before thousands of faithful at the Mosalla mosque, the main place of worship in Tehran, 85-year-old Jamenei said that the attack led by the insurgent group Hamas on southern Israel almost a year ago, on October 7, 2023, was a legitimate action by the Palestinian people.
The missile barrage on Tuesday was based on international law, Iranian law, and Islamic beliefs, he added.
Jamenei urged countries from "Afghanistan to Yemen and from Iran to Gaza and Yemen" to be prepared to take action against the enemy, and praised those who fell in combat.
"Our people who resist in Lebanon and Palestine, brave fighters, loyal and patient people, the martyrs and the blood shed should not shake their determination but make them more persistent," he added.
Jamenei delivered half of the speech in Arabic when addressing the Arab nations.
The last appearance of the ayatollah in Friday prayers occurred after the death of Revolutionary Guard general Qassem Soleimani, who died in 2020 in a drone attack by the United States in Baghdad.
Before the speech of the Iranian Supreme Leader, a ceremony was held for the death of the leader of the Lebanese political-paramilitary group Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah. Most of the high-ranking officials of the Islamic Republic, including its president, Masoud Pezeshkian, and generals of the Revolutionary Guard, attended the event.
Iran is the main benefactor of Hezbollah and has provided them with weapons and billions of dollars for years.
Also on Friday, the Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, arrived in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, where he is expected to address the war between Israel and Hezbollah with the country's authorities.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esmail Baghaei, stated that Iran has sent a shipment of aid to Lebanon that includes 10 tons of food and medicine.