Iran's Supreme Leader announces brutal response to Israel and USA

Iran's Supreme Leader announces brutal response to Israel and USA

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed a "grinding" response to Israel and the United States after Israel targeted Iranian military sites late last month. According to Khamenei, the enemies, both the United States and the Zionist regime (Israel), should know that they will face harsh retribution for their actions against Iran and the Resistance Front. This resistance front includes militant groups allied with Iran, including Hamas and Hezbollah.

Historical context of hostilities

Khamenei made the comments during a meeting with students on Saturday in preparation for the anniversary of the storming of the US embassy in Tehran in 1979, state-controlled media reported. He stressed that all necessary measures will be taken to prepare the Iranian nation to resist arrogance. This includes both military and political actions. The official efforts are in full swing.

Current developments in the Middle East

Hostilities between Iran and Israel have a long history, which further escalated after the Hamas attacks on October 7 last year and the subsequent Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip. Israel also faces Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, where at least 19 people were injured in the Israeli city of Tira after projectiles were fired across the border.

Reactions to Israeli military strikes

Khamenei's comments come a week after recent Israeli airstrikes on Iran, understood to be in response to the Islamic Republic's Oct. 1 rocket attack on the Jewish state. This attack was in turn a response to Israel's killing of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders. For the first time, Israeli officials admitted they had hit targets in Iran, marking a significant escalation in tensions. However, Israel has refrained from attacking Iranian energy or nuclear facilities.

Iran is preparing to retaliate

Iran is currently considering how to respond to the Israeli attacks. A senior source told CNN that Iran's response will be "firm and painful" and could possibly come before the US presidential election. Khamenei's comments on Saturday indicate a change in direction. Iran originally tried to downplay the severity of Israel's Oct. 25 attacks.

Readiness for possible conflicts

An Israeli military source recently said the country was at a "high level of readiness" for possible responses from Iran. The source said Iran's decision-making process would continue to be monitored to determine if and when retaliation might take place. A White House spokesman, Karine Jean-Pierre, said Iran should not respond to Israeli attacks on its territory; If Iran nevertheless chooses an answer, the US government will support Israel.

Future of Iranian military doctrine

This week, Iran also announced that it could increase the range of its missiles. The head of the Strategic Council for Foreign Relations, Kamal Kharrazi, made the comments in an interview with Lebanese channel al-Mayadeen TV, saying: "If the Islamic Republic of Iran faces an existential threat, we will inevitably change our military doctrine." Furthermore, he stated that Iran is capable of producing nuclear weapons but is limited by Khamenei's mandate banning weapons of mass destruction.

For further information on current events in the Middle East and their global political implications, current reporting is available.