Israel-Iran war latest: Oct 7 attack was legitimate act, says Iran’s Khamenei


Israel-Iran war latest: Oct 7 attack was legitimate act, says Iran’s Khamenei

Updated 2:14 PM Oct. 4, 2024 The supreme leader of Iran has said that the October 7 Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel were a “legitimate” act. Khamenei claimed the attacks were justified because they were “logical and legal” and done in self-defence against an oppressor, adding that this principle was recognised under international law. He went on to justify Tuesday’s Iranian attack on Israel, in which Tehran bombarded the country with around 180 ballistic missiles. “The move taken by our armed forces was the least punishment in the face of the crimes of the Zionist regime,” Khamenei said. He referred to Israel as “bloodthirsty” and a “rabid dog” as he led Friday prayers at the Grand Mosalla mosque in Tehran. Israel’s recent attacks were “strengthening” the motivation of “resistance” forces, Khamenei said. Khamenei last led Friday prayers in January 2020 after Iran fired missiles at a US military base in Iraq in response to a strike that killed Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad. IDF: 100 Hezbollah fighters killed in southern Lebanon The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) says it has killed around 100 Hezbollah fighters during its operations in southern Lebanon. The fighters were killed in both airstrikes and in ground combat, the IDF added. Khamenei justifies Iran’s missile bombardment of Israel Khamenei has appeared to justify Iran’s missile bombardment of Israel on Tuesday, saying “the move taken by our armed forces was the least punishment in the face of the crimes of the Zionist regime”. He went on to refer to Israel as “bloodthirsty”, and as a “rabid dog”.Khamenei: Palestine belongs to Palestinians Khamenei has reaffirmed the Palestinian “right” to stand up to Israel, although he has not referred to Israel directly. “The Palestinian nation has the right, in the face of the enemy that has usurped its soil, they have the right to stand up against that.” “Their defence is legitimate, and helping them is legitimate as well”