In a fiery and rare public sermon, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei took the world stage once again, doubling down on his country's aggressive stance against Israel. Speaking during Friday prayers in Tehran—his first appearance at such an event in nearly five years—Khamenei did not mince words. His message was clear: Iran's ballistic missile strike against Israel earlier this week was both “legal and legitimate,” and the so-called "resistance" across the region would not waver, even in the face of its leadership being systematically targeted and eliminated.

The attack, which saw close to 200 missiles launched at Israeli territory, represents one of the most significant escalations in the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel in recent years. Khamenei's defiance, reported by AFP, was delivered with unwavering resolve. He warned that Iran would not "procrastinate nor act hastily" in its mission to undermine Israel, portraying the missile barrage as the "minimum punishment" for what he described as Israel’s "crimes" against Palestinians and others in the region.

Dictator and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei gave his first sermon yesterday in nearly 5 years.

He stated:

“God willing, we will destroy Israel.”

Western policy makers should note that he didn’t say “God willing, we will have a two-state solution” pic.twitter.com/rmXN92MJMo

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) October 5, 2024

A Calculated Show of Defiance

Khamenei’s brazen defense of the missile assault follows the killing of prominent Hezbollah leaders by Israeli forces, with the supreme leader vowing that the resistance will continue unabated. He explicitly referenced the recent death of Hassan Nasrallah, the long-time leader of Hezbollah, stating that even with these high-profile assassinations, "the resistance in the region will not back down." This rhetoric underscores Iran’s persistent and unrelenting strategy to destabilize Israel through its proxy forces like Hezbollah and Hamas, while maintaining an iron grip on its own military operations.

In addition to Nasrallah, the Iran-backed Hezbollah also suffered another significant blow with the Israeli Defense Forces' (IDF) successful elimination of Mohammad Rashid Sakafi, the commander of Hezbollah’s Communications Unit, in an airstrike in Beirut. Sakafi had long been a key figure within Hezbollah’s ranks, managing the group’s communications network since 2000 and playing a critical role in facilitating coordination between Hezbollah units. His removal is a clear signal that Israel remains committed to dismantling Hezbollah’s operational capabilities.

The BBC, which refused to broadcast Trump's speeches because he was "extreme right-wing", broadcast the entire speech of the Iranian dictator Khamenei. A speech that included statements such as "the October seven attack was logical and legal", which the BBC proudly quoted in big… pic.twitter.com/a1Fyopm9vb

— Eretz Israel (@EretzIsrael) October 6, 2024

The U.S. Reacts: A Coordinated Defense with Israel

Meanwhile, as Iran continues its saber-rattling, the United States has been closely involved in bolstering Israel’s defenses against such threats. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, in a press briefing earlier this week, described the Iranian missile attack as “defeated and ineffective,” highlighting the coordinated efforts between U.S. and Israeli forces.

In a rare demonstration of military collaboration, U.S. naval destroyers and Israeli Air Defense units worked in tandem to intercept the incoming missiles, successfully neutralizing the threat. Sullivan emphasized that this cooperative effort was critical in preventing any casualties on Israeli soil, calling it a "significant escalation" that could have spiraled into far greater conflict had the defenses not worked in tandem.

Adolf Hitler: “We will annihilate the Jewish race in Europe”

Ayatollah Khamenei: “God willing, we will destroy Israel”

Hitler killed 6,000,000 Jews in Europe.

Khamenei seeks to kill 7,000,000 in Israel. pic.twitter.com/b2rrnJ30iS

— Kosher🎗🧡 (@K0sher_C0ckney) October 4, 2024

He elaborated on the U.S. response, stating, "President Biden and Vice President Harris were monitoring the attack from the White House Situation Room, alongside their national security team. The successful interception of these missiles underscores our commitment to Israel's security and our ability to act swiftly in the face of such provocations."

Sullivan also noted that the U.S. is actively assessing what further measures are necessary to not only safeguard American interests but also promote stability in the broader Middle East region. “We are looking at what the appropriate next steps are to ensure that these threats are met with decisive and unified action,” he said.

Khamenei’s Strategy: Escalation and Provocation

Khamenei's speech not only marks an alarming escalation in rhetoric but also serves as a strategic signal to Iran's allies and adversaries alike. By characterizing Iran’s missile attack as both justified and restrained, Khamenei seeks to position Iran as the defender of regional “resistance” movements, portraying himself as the guardian against Western and Israeli “aggression.” This defiant posture allows Khamenei to rally domestic support and affirm his control over Iran's sprawling military apparatus, which includes the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), responsible for many of these high-stakes operations.

Left: The reality in Tehran, with people chanting “Death to Khamenei!”
Right: the New York Times reporter claiming people are chanting “God is Great,” cheering the regime’s attack on Israel.
This isn’t honest journalism! pic.twitter.com/rCdnAwn1pT

— Farhad Rezaei (@Farhadrezaeii) October 2, 2024

For Israel, however, these latest developments only serve to confirm what it has long warned the international community about: Iran is not just a regional threat but a global one, using its proxy militias and ballistic missile programs to destabilize the region. Israel’s swift response to Iran’s provocations, including the targeted airstrikes against Hezbollah commanders, showcases the nation's readiness to act decisively against any threats to its security.

Conclusion: The Road Ahead

The international community will now closely watch how both Iran and Israel navigate this dangerous escalation. While Khamenei may paint Iran’s missile strikes as "legal and legitimate," the reality on the ground tells a different story—one of intensifying conflict, regional instability, and the ever-present risk of further military confrontation.

With the United States and Israel demonstrating a united front in defense of Israeli territory, it remains to be seen how Iran will proceed. Will Tehran continue down the path of provocation, or will the coordinated response from Israel and its allies force a recalibration in Iran’s strategy? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the region stands on the precipice of potentially larger and more dangerous conflicts.