Israeli airstrikes on Friday (September 27) targeted and killed the leader of Hezbollah in Lebanon, along with several commanders and a senior Iranian commander. This incident has once again escalated tensions in the Middle East. Reports indicate that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has been moved to a secure location.
Khamenei on Saturday urged Muslims to support the people of Lebanon and Hezbollah “by all means necessary” and help them resist the Israeli regime. According to Iranian state media, Khamenei declared in a statement that “the fate of the region will be determined by the resistance forces, with Hezbollah at the forefront.”
Later in a statement aired on national television, Khamenei vowed retaliation for the death of Hamas leader, and announced a five-day mourning period in Iran.
Following Hezbollah’s confirmation of the death of their leader Hassan Nasrallah, Iranian media reported that Abbas Nilforushan, deputy commander of the Revolutionary Guards, also perished in the Israeli airstrikes on southern Beirut on Friday along with Nasrallah.
Two regional officials from Iran informed Reuters that Supreme Leader Khamenei had been moved to a secure location within Iran, with enhanced security measures in place.
Sources also mentioned that Iran is maintaining continuous contact with Hezbollah and other regional proxy groups to determine the next course of action after Israel announced the killing of Hezbollah’s leader Nasrallah.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attributed part of Nasrallah’s killing to the United States, stating that the US has long provided advanced weapons to Israel. “Americans cannot deny their complicit relationship with the Zionist,” Pezeshkian said in a statement carried by national media.
The Pentagon, however, stated that the US was not involved in the airstrike on Beirut.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani posted on the social media platform X, pledging to continue Nasrallah’s path and achieve his goals.