TEHRAN: Following a large-scale missile strike by Iran on Israeli-occupied territories—viewed as a retaliation for the recent assassinations of resistance figures—Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, directly attributed the ongoing instability in West Asia to the United States and certain European powers.
In a speech to Iranian elites and university entrance exam candidates in Tehran on Wednesday, Khamenei asserted that the presence of these Western nations is the root cause of regional conflicts and unrest. He criticized their hypocrisy, claiming they advocate for peace while simultaneously contributing to turmoil.
Khamenei stated that the withdrawal of US and European forces would drastically reduce, if not eliminate, the ongoing hostilities, allowing regional countries to govern themselves and fostering peaceful coexistence without Western interference.
The timing of his remarks, coinciding with the IRGC’s missile attack, highlights the Iranian leadership’s view of the West as responsible for regional instability.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi warned the US against involvement following the missile strikes on Israel, asserting that Iran acted in “self-defense.” He indicated that their response would be concluded unless the “Israeli regime invites further retaliation.”
Iran’s missile barrage was launched in retaliation for Israel’s invasion of Lebanon and the killings of Hezbollah and Hamas leaders. Araqchi said that Iran had communicated with the US, advising against interference after the attack.
He clarified that “message exchanges do not imply coordination” and that Iran had sent a warning through Switzerland, asserting its right to self-defense without plans for further attacks.
The Iranian foreign minister emphasized that the missile strike followed a significant period of restraint aimed at creating a truce in Gaza. Additionally, Iran’s foreign ministry urged the United Nations Security Council to take “meaningful action” to address threats to regional security.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) stated that the attack on Israel was a response to the recent deaths of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July.
