Leading a rare Friday prayer to commemorate the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Muslims should strengthen their defences across all Islamic countries and vowed to strike Israel again amid the escalating tension in the region.
The Iranian Supreme Leader’s sermon comes days after the country ordered a missile attack on Israel earlier this week in response to Nasrallah’s assassination. Iran launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles in response to the killing of Nasrallah and other key figures linked to Iran. Despite significant damage reported in Israel, only one fatality was confirmed.
This marked Khamenei’s first time leading Friday prayers since he commemorated the death of Qasem Soleimani, the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, nearly five years ago. Addressing prayer sermons at Tehran’s Grand Mosque, he said that the Quran’s policy for Muslims is that Islamic governments should be in solidarity with each other.
‘Nasrallah is no longer among us’
During his speech, the Iranian supreme leader said, “Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah is no longer among us physically, but his path and his resonant voice are and will continue to be with us. He was the articulate voice and brave supporter of the oppressed.” Khamenei said the enemy of Iran is the enemy of Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq, Egypt, Syria, and Yemen.
Sayyid Hassan #Nasrallah brought assurance and courage to the fighters and seekers of truth. The scope of his popularity and influence extended beyond Lebanon, Iran, and Arab countries, and now his martyrdom will increase his influence even more.— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) October 4, 2024
“The enemy is working everywhere with a special method, but the operations room is the same and they take orders from there. If the enemy is relieved of one country, he will go to the next country,” he was quoted as saying by IRNA news agency. “The Palestinian nation has the right to stand against the enemy who has occupied its land and ruined its life. Defending the Palestinians is legitimate, and helping them is also legitimate,” he said while referring to Israel.
‘Will be done again’
Without disclosing much information, he said, “We (Iran) neither procrastinate nor hurry in fulfilling our duty (to respond). What is reasonable and correct according to the opinion of political and military decision-makers will be done in due time and will be done again in the future if necessary.”
During the sermon, thousands gathered at Tehran’s Grand Mosque, where a large poster of Nasrallah was displayed, CNN reported. Worshippers waved Lebanese and Palestinian flags, chanting slogans in support of Hezbollah.
On Friday, several news agencies reported that Nasrallah was temporarily buried in a secret location to avoid potential Israeli targeting of his funeral. “Hassan Nasrallah was temporarily buried until circumstances allow for a public funeral,” a source close to the group told The Associated Press.
(With agency inputs)
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