Decoding Khamenei’s Sermon: Exclusive From Intel Sources On What It Means For Israel, Iran & Muslim World

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei gave a speech on Friday. (Reuters)

“The Iranian leadership is under pressure from Iranian hardliners to act against Israel,” the assessment states. According to intel sources, Israel is also aware these attacks were carried out after pressure from hardliners in Iran

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s sermon on Friday was delivered under pressure after attack on Israel, according to the assessment of Indian intelligence agencies.

In his speech, Khamenei said that Iran’s recent missile attack on Israel was “legal and legitimate” and was the minimum punishment for Israel’s “crimes”. Khamenei told a huge crowd during Friday prayer sermons that Iran will not “procrastinate nor act hastily to carry out its duty” in confronting Israel, adding that the missile attack on Israel was “legal and legitimate.”

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“The Iranian leadership is under pressure from Iranian hardliners to act against Israel and Iranian leadership knows its weaknesses. Iranians have already shown weakness by asking Israel not to retaliate and this message was sent just to save future problems,” the assessment states. According to intel sources, Israel is also aware these attacks were carried out after pressure from hardliners in Iran.

“Khamenei’s speech is nothing new. As usual he tried to bring Muslim Umah in this war against Israel. In the past, too, he has given similar speeches and the aim is to preserve his image. He was also very clear about his support for anti-Israeli militia groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, portraying it as an Islamic duty. He also praised Hamas for the October 7 attack on Israel last year. He also gave another warning of direct missile strikes from Iranian soil if needed,” sources said.

“His message is directed more towards non-Iranian supporters of the militia groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas, who are leaderless and lost many leaders in recent months. This was more for Muslim countries than addressing the Iranian population. He spoke in Arabic and Persian, both for domestic and Arab audience. By speaking in Arabic, Khamenei tried to mobilize the Arab people to put pressure on their rulers to support Iran. In Muslim world, they have support from Lebanon and Palestine so far and they expect more support in case of Western attack. He also clearly told Arab rulers that they should come with Iran and that he was not challenging them or their sovereignty. He also said Israel is threat to the Muslim world unity and they must finish Israel and America, as it is spending millions of dollars to finish them,” said sources.

KEY QUOTES FROM KHAMENEI’S SPEECH

From Khamenei’s speech in Arabic