" The missile attack against Israel is legal, Muslim nations have a common enemy and must build a belt of defense, from Afghanistan to Yemen, from Iran to Gaza and Lebanon ."

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei prayed for Nasrallah (the funeral of the slain Hezbollah leader is today) during Friday prayers in Tehran, where he appeared and delivered his sermon with a rifle at his side.

" Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7 was also legitimate, just as ours this week was the minimum punishment for the crimes committed by Israel ."

"Iran's brilliant attack," the Supreme Leader said, quoted by state TV, "was the least punishment for the unprecedented crimes of the wolfish and bloodthirsty regime that is the mad dog of the United States in the region . Iran will continue to fulfill its duty neither hastily nor lately. Our political and military leaders will act logically and wisely."

The leader called on the resistance groups, including the Palestinians and the Lebanese, to be patient, to resist and to strengthen their unity. " The axis of the Resistance will not retreat, we must continue until the shameful existence of the Zionists is eliminated ."

"Today the enemy of Iran is the enemy of Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq, Egypt, Syria and Yemen," Khamenei added, stressing that " all countries, including Palestine and Lebanon, have the right to defend themselves, according to Islamic and international rules, and no country or international organization can criticize the Palestinians or the Lebanese for their resistance against the Zionist occupying regime ."

Again: "The Israeli regime cannot inflict any serious harm on Hamas or Hezbollah, and the regime itself will not last long." And Iran "will not hesitate or delay any action against Israel, but will act forcefully and firmly."

(Unioneonline/L)