Iran's supreme leader Khamenei delivers rare sermon in five years; reaffirms support for Hamas, Hezbollah

In his first Friday address in five years, Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, delivered a powerful sermon at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla in Tehran. He defended Iran’s missile attacks on Israel, labelling them as "legal and legitimate." (Pic credit: Reuters)

Khamenei justified the recent Iranian missile strikes against Israel, calling them the "least punishment" for Israel's actions. He emphasised that further attacks would be considered depending on future political and military decisions. (Pic credit: Reuters)

Reaffirming Iran’s long-standing support for anti-Israel militias like Hamas and Hezbollah, Khamenei portrayed aiding these groups as an Islamic duty. He reiterated Iran's commitment to assisting their resistance against Israel. (Pic credit: Reuters)

Khamenei issued a stark warning to Israel, hinting at potential future direct missile strikes from Iranian soil if necessary. This statement escalates the threat level, signalling Iran’s readiness for further military action. (Pic credit: Reuters)

A key theme of Khamenei’s address was his call for Muslim unity. He urged Islamic countries to defend themselves, work together, and resist external threats, emphasizing that unity is crucial for victory over their enemies. (Pic credit: Reuters)

Khamenei criticised Israel and its allies for using divide-and-rule tactics to weaken Muslim nations. He called on Muslim nations to awaken and recognise this strategy, urging them to unify against these divisive policies. (Pic credit: AP)

Khamenei said that the Palestinian people have the right to defend their homeland and that supporting their resistance is both a legitimate and legal obligation for Iran. He endorsed the October 7 attacks as justified. (Pic credit: AP)

During the prayers, Khamenei and the gathering honoured the late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Iranian General Abbas Nilforushan, who were killed in Israeli airstrikes. Their deaths fueled Iran's retaliatory missile strikes. (Pic credit: Reuters)

Earlier this week, Iran launched 200 ballistic missiles targeting Israeli military bases in Tel Aviv, with most intercepted by Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu vowed retaliation, while US President Biden pledged full support for Israel. (Pic credit: Reuters)

The international community remains on high alert, with many countries condemning Iran’s actions. Despite Iran's claims of legitimacy, the incident has drawn widespread criticism, especially from Western powers like the US. (Pic credit: AP)