Iran’s Supreme Leader Warns Israel in Rare Sermon Amid Escalating Tensions

In a rare public sermon on October 4, 2024, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a stark warning to Israel, declaring that the country "won’t last long" in the wake of increasing regional tensions. Speaking to a packed audience in Tehran, Khamenei expressed support for the recent missile strikes against Israel, calling them a “legitimate and legal” response to Israeli aggression. This sermon, the first of its kind in over five years, was delivered during a Friday prayer service at the historic Imam Khomeini Mosque.

Khamenei's remarks come amid heightened conflict between Israel and Iran-aligned groups, particularly Hezbollah, following the October 7 attacks by Hamas. During his sermon, Khamenei praised these assaults as justified and warned that more could come if Israel continued its operations. He framed the missile strikes as a "public service" to the Muslim world and vowed that Iran would not hesitate to take further action if necessary.

The Ayatollah, wielding a Russian-made Dragunov rifle during the sermon, made it clear that Iran’s stance was unwavering and that the fight against Israel would persist. His statements have fueled concerns over a broader conflict in the Middle East, with Israel now facing simultaneous threats from Lebanon's Hezbollah and other Iran-backed militias. In response, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have launched retaliatory airstrikes in Lebanon, killing several Hezbollah militants and targeting key infrastructure.

The timing of Khamenei’s address is significant, as it follows Iran's ballistic missile strikes on Israeli targets earlier in the week. Israel has been grappling with retaliatory attacks from Hezbollah militants in Lebanon and rockets launched from Iranian territory. Khamenei’s bold statements during the sermon suggest that Iran remains undeterred by international condemnation, despite calls for a ceasefire from the G7 leaders. The G7 condemned Iran’s strikes as destabilizing, warning that such actions could spiral into a full-blown regional conflict.

Khamenei also reiterated Iran's support for Palestinian groups, urging Muslims worldwide to unite against Israel. His fiery rhetoric came just hours after Israeli airstrikes devastated parts of southern Beirut, underscoring the volatile state of affairs in the region. As violence escalates, with both sides refusing to back down, the likelihood of a prolonged conflict looms large.

This rare sermon marks Khamenei’s first public appearance leading Friday prayers since January 2020, when he addressed the nation following the U.S. assassination of General Qasem Soleimani. His decision to personally lead prayers and deliver such a provocative message signals Iran's intent to remain a central player in the escalating conflict between Israel and its regional adversaries.

The international community has reacted with concern, as fears grow that the conflict could spread beyond Israel and Lebanon, dragging neighboring countries into the fray. The U.S. and its allies have reiterated their commitment to Israel’s security, but with Iran signaling it will not back down, the path to de-escalation appears increasingly narrow.

Khamenei’s fiery rhetoric and symbolic display of a rifle during his address were seen as both a show of defiance and a call to arms for Iran’s allies in the region. As the conflict intensifies, the world watches closely to see if cooler heads will prevail or if the Middle East will descend further into chaos.