Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei delivered his first public address in five years on Friday, pledging to end the "existence of the Zionist regime." His remarks come as Israel plots a "harsh" response to Tehran's Tuesday missile barrage, with the Jewish state expected to launch a direct attack on Iranian military and infrastructure sites.
Khamenei, speaking before a large crowd that carried Palestinian flags and posters of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, sought to project strength as he railed against Israel and justified firing nearly 200 ballistic missiles at cities across the Jewish state. Though Israel has kneecapped Iran's terrorist proxies in recent months, Khamenei said his regional "Axis of Resistance" will ultimately "emerge victorious." He similarly declared Hezbollah "the victor" on Sept. 25—two days before Nasrallah's death.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran will powerfully and resiliently perform any duty in this regard," Khamenei said Friday. "We will neither hesitate in our duty nor make a hurry." Israel, he added, "will finally be wiped off the earth and God willing we will do this."
The remarks preview what could become a direct war between Israel and Tehran. Iran's ballistic missile attack, Khamenei said, was the "least punishment" he could deliver. Iran will attack again "if needs be," Khamenei added.
Khamenei's speech came against the backdrop of ongoing Israeli ground operations in Lebanon, where the Jewish state's forces have killed scores of Hezbollah fighters in recent days. The fiery speech also gave Khamenei the opportunity to eulogize Nasrallah, one of his closest friends, following his death last week at the hands of an Israeli airstrike.
"He was the high flag of resistance against oppressive and predatory demons—an eloquent voice and a brave defender of the oppressed," Khamenei said of Nasrallah. "He was a source of encouragement and valor for fighters and rights seekers. His popularity and influence had gone beyond Lebanon, Iran and Arab countries, and now his martyrdom will increase this influence." Khamenei's language was not dissimilar to rhetoric deployed in mainstream media outlets' obituaries eulogizing the late terrorist butcher.
The speech marked a rare public appearance for the 85-year-old Khamenei as his hardline autocracy awaits an Israeli strike that is expected to unfold in the coming days. Tehran has been on edge since Israel promised a "harsh response" to Tuesday's ballistic missile barrage, with reports indicating the Jewish state will not shy away from hitting Iran's top military sites and oil facilities.
Khamenei described the attack on Israel, the second this year, as "completely legal and legitimate." He also praised Hamas's Oct. 7 terror spree on Israel as "legitimate," even though it sparked a year-long conflict that destroyed the Gaza-based terror group and left Hezbollah in a similar position following Nasrallah's death.
"The audience of this sermon is the whole Islamic world, but it is specially addressed to the dear nations of Lebanon and Palestine," Khamenei said.
Although Hezbollah and Hamas are teetering on the brink of collapse as a result of Israel's military operation, Khamenei claimed "the Zionist criminal gang" will "never win" against his two top terror proxies.