Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, delivered a rare sermon at the Friday Prayer in which he expressed solidarity with Hezbollah and issued a warning to Israel. Khamenei vowed that Iran will continue to support Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group, and warned of further attacks against Israel.
During his sermon, Khamenei accused the United States of being a sponsor of terrorism and denounced President Donald Trump’s Middle East peace plan, known as the “Deal of the Century.” He also criticized Persian Gulf Arab countries for their stance on the plan and urged unity among Muslims to counter what he called American imperialism.
Khamenei’s message was seen as a show of strength and defiance against Israel and the U.S. amidst escalating tensions in the region. The Iranian leader’s remarks come at a time when Iran is facing increased pressure from the U.S. and its allies over its nuclear program and involvement in regional conflicts.
The sermon was significant as Khamenei rarely speaks at Friday Prayers and his appearance was seen as a response to recent events in the Middle East, including the U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani and the subsequent Iranian missile attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq.
The Iranian government has been vocal in its support for Hezbollah, which it sees as a key ally in the region. Khamenei’s sermon is likely to further strain relations between Iran and Israel, raising concerns about the potential for further escalation in the already volatile region.
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