In a rare public appearance, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, delivered a sermon at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Mosalla Mosque in which he defended Iran’s recent missile strike on Israel as a “minimum punishment.” This comes after the country’s attack on US military bases in Iraq following the death of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in a US drone attack near Baghdad’s airport in 2020.
The last time Khamenei spoke at Friday prayers was after the death of Soleimani, highlighting the significance of his latest address. During his sermon, he reiterated Iran’s stance on defending itself against foreign aggression and emphasized the importance of retaliation against perceived threats.
The tension between Iran and Israel has been ongoing, with both countries exchanging accusations and hostilities. Iran’s support for Palestinian militant groups like Hamas and Hezbollah has been a major point of contention, especially as Iran seeks to challenge Israel’s dominance in the region.
Khamenei’s speech serves as a reminder of Iran’s firm stance on defending its interests and retaliating against perceived provocations. The international community will be closely monitoring the situation as tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East.
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