Khamenei Calls Islamic Republic's Missile Attacks on Israel 'Legitimate' Despite Global Criticism

Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, defended missile attacks on Israel on Friday, October 13, calling them 'brilliant, legal, and legitimate.' He made these remarks following widespread international criticism of the Islamic Republic's missile strikes on October 10, which were condemned even by the UN Secretary-General. During Friday prayers in Tehran, at a ceremony commemorating the deceased Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, and his companions, including Abbas Nilforushan, Deputy Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, he stated, 'The defensive rulings of Islam, our own laws, and international laws have defined our duty, which is that every nation has the right to defend its home and land against aggressors.' The attacks by Tehran's proxy groups, including those in Gaza and Lebanon, have repeatedly targeted Israeli civilians. Khamenei further defended the proxy groups of the Islamic Republic under the banner of the 'people' of Palestine and Lebanon, asserting that 'no one has the right to protest' why they resist, emphasizing that those defending the Palestinian people are fulfilling their duty. The Islamic Republic is the main financial and military supporter of Hamas and Hezbollah, which are recognized as terrorist organizations by the United States and many countries worldwide. Khamenei's remarks during this week's Friday prayers in Tehran came three days after the Islamic Republic's missile attacks on Israel and three days before the first anniversary of the Hamas militant group's attack on southern Israel. In that attack, at least 1,200 people were killed, most of whom were civilians, including children. Additionally, over 250 individuals were taken hostage by Hamas militants and moved to the group's hideouts in Gaza, most of whom were civilians, including the elderly and children. He also urged the people of Lebanon and members of this militant group not to 'lose hope' following the death of Hezbollah's Secretary-General. The ceremony was attended by Massoud Pezeshkian, the head of the fourteenth government, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, and Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the head of the judiciary of the Islamic Republic. This was Khamenei's first Friday prayer appearance since January 17, 2020, following the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, the then-commander of the Quds Force of the IRGC. The Friday prayer in Tehran was held under conditions where, according to the Tasnim news agency close to the IRGC, the head of Tehran's traffic police announced on Thursday, October 12, that security measures were being taken under the titles of 'traffic arrangements' and 'prohibitions and restrictions on movement and stopping.' There were also reports of the relocation of some residents from villages and cities near Tehran to the Tehran prayer site. Pezeshkian was in Qatar, and Khamenei was prepared for Friday prayers; is an Israeli retaliatory attack imminent? Concerns from a state TV expert about Khamenei's potential death: Did we learn from the Haniyeh incident? Mohammad Machinchi: Khamenei has put the Iranian people in a more difficult situation with his missile gamble. 'Khamenei told Hassan Nasrallah to go to Iran to save his life.'