Khamenei, in first public address in 5 years, calls missile attack on Israel 'legal and legitimate'
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Iran's Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei addressed worshippers in Tehran in a rare public sermon Friday (Oct 4). He had a rifle by his side as he spoke, days after Iran's missile attack on Israel.
This is Khamenei's first sermon in nearly five years. Thousands of worshippers holding portraits of slain leaders of Iran's "axis of resistance" against Israel and the United States gathered to hear him speak.
Talking about the current crisis in West Asia, Khamenei said the missile attack on Israel was "legal and legitimate".
"The operation of our armed forces a few nights ago was totally legal and legitimate," he said during a rare Friday prayer sermon.
He called the attack "minimum punishment" for Israel's crimes.
Khamenei even defended the October 7 attackon Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, calling it "logical and legal".
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Israel has been going after Hezbollah leaders in Lebanon, with Hassan Nasrallah being killed a few days back. It is already entangled in a war with Hamas in Gaza. The supreme leader raised both matters in his sermon, saying that Israel "cannot seriously harm" Hezbollah and Hamas.
Also Read:Israeli strikes near Beirut airport reportedly targeted Nasrallah's successor
He lauded the Lebanon-based militant group, stating that Hezbollah's fight is a "vital service to the entire region".
Israel carries out fresh strikes in Beirut
Early Friday, Israel carried out fresh strikes in Beirut with large explosions reported outside the city’s international airport right after an aircraft landed. Axios reporter Barak Ravid, citing an Israeli source, said in a post on social media platform X that the strike reportedly targeted senior Hezbollah official Hashem Safieddine.
Safieddine is considered the heir of slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have ordered 20 more towns and villages in south Lebanon to evacuate, telling the people to leave immediately for their own safety.
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden said on Thursday he did not believe there is going to be an "all-out war" in the Middle East.
(With inputs from agencies)
