Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei proclaimed that Israel has faced a “defeat” in its conflict with the Iran-backed Palestinian militant group Hamas, labeling it an undeniable “fact.” During a visit to an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps aerospace force center in Tehran, Khamenei asserted, “The defeat of the Zionist regime (Israel) in Gaza is a fact,” criticizing Israel’s military strategy.
Khamenei further charged that Israel’s inability to achieve its stated objective of dismantling Hamas, despite extensive bombardments in Gaza, showcased the limitations of US and Western support for Israel. He also accused Israel of remorselessly killing thousands of children, attributing this to a perceived superiority complex among Zionists.
Amidst these remarks, Iran, a known financial and military backer of Hamas, celebrated the Oct. 7 attacks as a “success,” while denying direct involvement.
Additionally, during his visit, Khamenei inspected new defense systems and drones, including a drone named “Gaza.” State media also reported the unveiling of the Fattah 2, a hypersonic missile upgrade.
Highlighting the broader geopolitical implications, Khamenei urged Muslim countries with diplomatic ties to Israel to sever these relationships and cease trade, deeming the lack of condemnation for Israel’s actions in Gaza by some Islamic governments as unacceptable.