‘Israel won’t last long’: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s chilling statement during Friday sermon with rifle by his side

New Delhi: Israel “won’t last long”, said Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader while handing over his first Friday sermon in 5 years on October four, 2024, similtaneously he remains the “most veritable” target for Israel which has vowed to retaliate after Tuesday’s missile attacks.

Khamenei justified the missile attacks on Israel as a “public service” as he addressed tens of thousands of devotees who had gathered at Imam Khomeini’s Grand Mosalla mosque in Tehran as he backed the Palestinian and Lebanese movements against Israel.

Some pictures showed what looked like an automatic rifle leaning against the dais from which Iran’s supreme leader read out his message. He said that Israel would not be successful over Hamas or Hezbollah.

He strongly reaffirmed Iran’s toughen for anti-Israeli militia groups like Hamas and Hezbollah as he issued warnings of potential direct missile strikes from Iranian soil if deemed necessary.

“We neither procrastinate nor hurry in fulfilling our duty. What's reasonable and correct based on the opinion of political and army decision-makers will be done in due time and is likely to be done again within the future if necessary,” IRNA news agency quoted him as saying in what seems like a thinly veiled warning for Israel.

Prayers were held for late Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, and his companions, including Iranian General Abbas Nilforushan, who were killed in Israeli airstrikes in Beirut last week, reports IRNA.

“Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah won't ever be from now on with us, but his spirit and his path will continue to inspire us forever. He changed into the high-standing flag against the Zionist enemy. His martyrdom will further extend this influence. The lack of Nasrallah won't ever be in vain. We have to arise against the enemy while strengthening our unwavering faith,” said Khamenei adding that Hezbollah is a “blessed tree” that grew steadily under the leadership of Nasrallah.

On Hamas, Iran’s supreme leader supported the October 7 attacks on Israel as he said, “The Palestinian nation has the correct to stand against the enemy who has occupied its land and ruined its life. Defending the Palestinians is legitimate, and helping them is likewise legitimate.

“The Al-Aqsa Storm Operation changed into a valid move, and the Palestinians were right. The defence of the Lebanese people of Gaza is a valid and legal move. The brilliant operation of our military changed into completely legal and legit.”