TEHRAN, Iran: In a rare and defiant public appearance, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei addressed thousands of worshippers in Tehran, with a rifle by his side, just days after Iran’s missile strike on Israel. This was Khamenei’s first sermon in nearly five years, with the crowd carrying portraits of leaders from Iran’s “axis of resistance,” a coalition that includes Hezbollah and Hamas.
During the sermon, Khamenei emphasized that Israel “will not last long,” and reiterated Iran’s staunch support for Hezbollah, framing their fight as a “vital service to the entire region.” He defended Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel as “logical and legal,” reinforcing Iran’s stance that resistance against Israel is justified. Khamenei also declared that Israel “cannot seriously harm” Hezbollah and Hamas, projecting confidence in the capabilities of Iran’s regional allies.
The speech, delivered partially in Arabic to underscore its message to the broader Middle East, comes at a time of heightened tensions following the recent missile attacks. Khamenei’s rhetoric signals Iran’s intent to remain a key player in regional resistance, undeterred by Israeli or U.S. opposition.
