Iran’s Supreme Leader Vows Retaliation Against Israeli and US Attacks
Khamenei Threatens to Respond to Attacks on Iran and its Allies
Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed to retaliate against attacks by Israel and its ally the US targeting Tehran and groups it supports in the region. In a speech to students in Tehran, Khamenei said that the enemies, both the US and the Zionist regime, should know that they will definitely receive a tooth-breaking response to what they are doing against Iran, the Iranian nation, and the resistance front.
Regional Tensions Soar
Regional tensions have soared since the outbreak in October last year of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, drawing in those Iran-aligned groups and others from Iraq and Syria. Hezbollah and Israel exchanged cross-border fire for nearly a year after Hamas’s unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, before Israel ramped up the conflict on September 23.
Escalating Violence
On October 26, Israel conducted air strikes on military sites in Iran in response to Tehran’s October 1 attack on Israel, itself retaliation for the killing of Iran-backed militant leaders and a Revolutionary Guards commander. At least four soldiers were killed in the attack, which Iran said caused “limited damage” to a few radar systems. Iranian media said a civilian was also killed.
Khamenei’s Response
In his speech, Khamenei paid tribute to the slain soldiers, saying their efforts in confronting Israel “will not be forgotten.” He warned that Iran was “certainly doing everything that should be done to prepare the Iranian nation, whether in terms of military, in terms of weapons, or in terms of political work.”
US Deployment of Military Assets
The US announced Friday the deployment of additional military assets to the Middle East, including ballistic missile defence destroyers and long-range B-52 bomber aircraft, serving as a warning to Iran as it and Israel trade tit-for-tat strikes.
Conclusion
The situation in the Middle East continues to escalate, with Iran and its allies on one side and Israel and its allies on the other. The threat of retaliation and counter-retaliation hangs in the air, with the potential for further violence and bloodshed. It remains to be seen how the situation will unfold and what steps will be taken to de-escalate the conflict.
FAQs
* What did Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei say in his speech?
+ Khamenei vowed to retaliate against attacks by Israel and its ally the US targeting Tehran and groups it supports in the region.
* What are the regional tensions about?
+ Regional tensions have soared since the outbreak in October last year of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, drawing in those Iran-aligned groups and others from Iraq and Syria.
* What was the outcome of the October 26 attack on Iran?
+ At least four soldiers were killed, and Iran said the attack caused “limited damage” to a few radar systems. Iranian media said a civilian was also killed.