Iran Calls Missile Strikes On Israel ‘Minimum Punishment,’ Says Khamenei

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, delivered a rare Friday sermon in Arabic, defending Iran’s recent missile attack on Israel and praising the defiance of its regional allies. Speaking to tens of thousands at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla mosque in Tehran, Khamenei emphasized that militant groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, part of the Iran-aligned “axis of resistance,” would not retreat despite Israeli strikes on their leaders.

Khamenei praised these groups’ continued resistance against Israel, stating that their actions were “logical and legitimate,” and insisted that no one had the right to criticize their response to Israeli aggression. He specifically referenced the killings of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, suggesting that these martyrdoms would only strengthen the resolve of Iran’s allies. The speech, delivered with a rifle by his side—symbolizing preparedness for conflict—was a show of solidarity with Iran-backed groups engaged in the conflict.

The sermon came days after Iran launched around 200 missiles at Israel, retaliating for the deaths of key figures in Hezbollah and Hamas. Khamenei referred to this missile barrage as the “minimum punishment” for Israel’s actions and condemned the state as a “malicious regime” propped up by American support. He further justified Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7 as a “logical and legal” act, reiterating Iran’s long-standing policy of supporting the Palestinian cause.

Khamenei’s address reflects Iran’s continued backing of militant groups in the region, aligning with its broader geopolitical strategy of opposing Israel and the United States. The speech also marks his first public Friday sermon in nearly five years, underscoring the significance of recent developments in the ongoing regional conflict.