• Khamenei defends Iran’s missile attack as “legitimate”
• Calls for allies to strengthen against Israel’s “common enemy”
• Israel continues air and ground operations in Gaza and Lebanon

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivers his first statement at Friday prayers in five years, following Iran’s launch of at least 180 missiles toward Israel on Tuesday night.

Iran’s supreme leader has asserted that its missile attack on Israel was “fully legal and legitimate,” warning that it will be repeated if necessary.

In an unusual speech, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei characterized Hamas‘ strike on Israel on October 7 as a “legitimate” act, urging Tehran’s allies to “double your efforts and capabilities” against a “common enemy.

Mr Khamenei held a gun by his side as he delivered his first address at Friday prayers in five years, following Iran’s launch of at least 180 missiles at Israel on Tuesday night.

The operations were in response to a series of Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon, which killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and other members of the militant group’s top leadership.

The UK, the United States, and other Western governments have designated Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.

In his address on Friday, Mr Khamenei lauded Iran’s reprisal, telling those gathered at Tehran’s Mosalla mosque: “The shining job by our armed forces two or three nights ago was fully legal and legitimate.”

“It will be done in the future again if it becomes necessary,” according to him.

The 85-year-old’s hand sometimes gripped the barrel of a rifle to his left, a practice shared by Friday prayer leaders across the country for decades.

Iran stated it hit the majority of its targets on Tuesday, but there have been no reports of injuries, and Israel claims it intercepted many of the missiles.

The Iran bombing was the latest escalation in worries of a regional conflict since Hamas launched an offensive on Israel in October last year, killing over 1,200 people and kidnapping an additional 250.

Israel has retaliated by unleashing air and ground operations in Gaza, with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting that more than 41,000 people had been killed. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and fighters.

Mr Khamenei claimed in his 40-minute lecture, two days before the anniversary of the Hamas raid, that the Palestinian militant group’s incursion was a “legitimate” action and that “every country has the right to defend itself from aggressors”.

Mr Khamenei has already hailed the Hamas assault, stating shortly after the attack that Israel’s “own actions are to blame for this disaster”.

In his speech on Friday, Iran’s supreme leader urged nations from “Afghanistan to Yemen, and from Iran to Gaza and Yemen” to be prepared to take action against Israel, praising those who have perished in the process.

Our resisting people in Lebanon and Palestine, you heroic fighters, loyal and patient people, these martyrdoms and bloodshed should not change your commitment, but rather strengthen it, he stated.

Reflecting on Iran’s assaults on Israel, Mr Khamenei warned Tehran’s regional allies: “We’re defending ourselves, but we’re also defending you against a common enemy who seeks to destroy our way of life through violence and terror.”

Mr Khamenei also advised Israel’s foes to “double your efforts and capabilities… and resist the aggressive enemy”.

Prior to the supreme leader’s address, there was a ceremony commemorating Nasrallah’s death.

The ceremony was attended by the majority of senior Iranian leaders, including Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and top Revolutionary Guard generals.

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Mr Khamenei’s last attendance at Friday prayers occurred following the assassination of Revolutionary Guard General Qassem Soleimani, who was assassinated in Baghdad by a US drone strike in 2020.

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi also landed in Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, on Friday, where he was scheduled to address the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah with local leaders.

Meanwhile, Israel launched a series of large air attacks in Beirut’s southern neighbourhoods overnight, as well as one that blocked off the primary border crossing between Lebanon and Syria, which serves as a crossing point for tens of thousands of refugees escaping Israeli assault.

Israel started a foot invasion into Lebanon on Tuesday, clashing with Hezbollah fighters in a tiny zone along the border.

Israel reports that over 250 Hezbollah fighters have been killed since the ground assault began, while at least ten Israeli soldiers have died in the process.

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