Ayatollah Khamenei's First Reaction to IRGC Missile Attacks Against ISIS

More than two weeks after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) missile attack on ISIS positions, Iranian news agencies have reported on a meeting between Ayatollah Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, and commanders of this military force, which took place just hours after the attack. These reports reflect Khamenei's first reaction to the IRGC's missile strikes, indicating his 'praise' for this action. According to the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA), Ayatollah Khamenei told the commanders and planners of this operation: 'Your work was excellent; may God accept it from you. This is worship during Ramadan.' The IRGC's attacks date back to June 28, when this organization announced that in response to recent ISIS attacks on the shrine of Ayatollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic, and the Iranian Parliament, it targeted one of the centers of 'command and support for Takfiri terrorists' in Deir ez-Zor, Syria. The number of missiles fired was reported to be six, and the IRGC deemed the operation 'successful,' although the Israeli newspaper Haaretz quoted military officials from Israel stating that only two of the fired missiles hit their intended targets. Meanwhile, Ayatollah Khamenei has called for an expansion of the IRGC's missile activities, telling the commanders: 'Work on missiles as much as you can; see how sensitive the enemy is to missiles, so know how important your work is.' He further emphasized: 'You can all work as much as you can; the enemy must be struck.' Previously, Israeli media had characterized the IRGC's missile attacks as a warning message to both Israel and Saudi Arabia. At the same time, Iran's efforts to develop its missile program have consistently drawn reactions from the United States, which accuses Iran of supporting terrorism and militia groups in the region. The U.S. Senate has recently approved new sanctions against Iran for developing ballistic missiles.