Iran’s Khamenei Warns of Further Attacks After Strikes on Israel

 

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has stated that the recent missile attack on Israel was only the "least punishment" and warned that further strikes could follow "if necessary." Speaking in Tehran on Friday, Khamenei defended the Iranian missile barrage, launched on Tuesday, as a legitimate response to the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and others.

Iran fired around 200 ballistic missiles at Israel, calling it retaliation for Nasrallah's assassination in an Israeli airstrike. During his speech, Khamenei praised the operation, describing it as "completely legal and justified."

Khamenei, who had not led Friday prayers in nearly five years since the death of Qasem Soleimani, delivered his remarks while holding a rifle, a symbolic gesture that accompanied his stern warning to Israel.

In addition to justifying the missile attack, Khamenei lauded Hezbollah and paid tribute to Nasrallah, dedicating much of his speech to the Hezbollah leader, who was killed in Beirut last Friday.

He also expressed strong support for Hamas' attack on Israel earlier this month, calling it "legitimate" and asserting that Israel would never defeat Hamas or Hezbollah.

The Iranian leader emphasized the Palestinians' right to resist, saying, "The people of Palestine have the right to stand up for themselves in the face of the enemy who has taken over their land and impacted their lives."

As tensions escalate, Israel is responding on multiple fronts, including ground incursions against Hezbollah in Lebanon, airstrikes in Gaza and Beirut, and preparing for further retaliatory action following Iran's missile strikes.