During a rare address on Friday, October 4, 2024, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed that his allies in the region would continue to fight against Israel. He defended his country’s missile strike on Israel in a public sermon in Tehran, where he was seen with a rifle by his side. This was his first public sermon in nearly five years.
Thousands of worshippers attended the sermon, carrying portraits of slain leaders of Iran’s “axis of resistance” against Israel and the United States. Mr. Khamenei praised last year’s Hamas attack on Israel as “logical and legal”. He stated that Tehran-aligned armed groups would not back down despite Israeli killings of militant leaders.
Israel’s attacks on Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon have resulted in over 1,000 deaths and forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes. The conflict has escalated into a full-blown war, with Hezbollah retaliating against Israeli troops and ongoing violence in the region. Mr. Khamenei emphasized that the resistance in the region would prevail despite the challenges.
The situation has left people in Lebanon and neighboring countries fearful of further violence. The United States, along with other countries, is closely monitoring the situation and working towards a peaceful resolution.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Beirut for talks with Lebanese officials amidst the escalating tensions. The international community is calling for restraint and dialogue to prevent further bloodshed and instability in the region.
Published – October 04, 2024 04:05 pm IST
