Iran’s Supreme Leader welcomes missile attack on Israel, says Iran will do it again if necessary

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s Supreme Leader on Friday welcomed his country’s recent missile strike against Israel and said he was ready to do it again if necessary, state television reported.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in his first appearance as leader at Friday prayers in about five years, called the missile strike a “brilliant” job by Iran’s armed forces.

Iran launched at least 180 missiles at Israel on Tuesday, the latest in a series of escalating attacks between Israel, Iran and its allies that threaten to bring the Middle East closer to war regional. Israel said it intercepted numerous missiles, and officials in Washington said U.S. destroyers were helping in Israel’s defense.

Iran said most of its missiles hit their targets. No casualties were immediately reported.

Khamenei, 85, said in a 40-minute speech to thousands at the Mosalla Mosque, Tehran’s main place of worship, that Hamas’s attack on southern Israel nearly one year ago, October 7, 2023, was a legitimate attack. action of the Palestinian people.

He said Tuesday’s missile launch was based on international law, the law of the land and Islamic beliefs.

He urged countries “from Afghanistan to Yemen and from Iran to Gaza and Yemen” to be ready to take action against the enemy, and praised those who died doing so.

“Our people resisting in Lebanon and Palestine, you, courageous fighters, you loyal and patient people, these martyrs and the blood shed should not shake your determination but make you more perseverant,” he said.

Khamenei delivered half of the speech in Arabic as he addressed Arab nations.

His last appearance at Friday prayers came after the death of Revolutionary Guard General Qassem Soleimani, killed in 2020 during a US drone strike in Baghdad.

A ceremony commemorating the death of Lebanese Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah took place before Khamenei’s speech. Most of Iran’s top officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian and top generals of the Revolutionary Guards, attended the ceremony.

Iran is Hezbollah’s main supporter and has sent weapons and billions of dollars to the group.

Also on Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Beirut, the Lebanese capital, where he was expected to discuss the ongoing fighting between Israel and Hezbollah with Lebanese officials.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Iran had sent an aid shipment to Lebanon, including 10 tons of food and medicine.