In a speech commemorating the 36th anniversary of Imam Khomeini's demise, Iran's Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, condemned Israel's actions in Gaza and urged Islamic governments to abandon indifference and take decisive action against Israeli crimes.

Why it matters:

Ayatollah Khamenei's remarks show the unwavering support for Palestine and condemnation of Israel's actions, as well as Iran's long-standing position on the Palestinian issue and its opposition to U.S. influence in West Asia.

The big picture:

The leader's remarks are part of a broader narrative that seeks to unify Islamic nations against what Iran views as aggression and injustice.

What he's saying:

In a speech marking the 36th anniversary of Imam Khomeini's demise, Ayatollah Khamenei stated, "Today, there is no room for compromise, consideration, or neutrality regarding Israel's crimes."

He emphasized that any Islamic government cooperating with Israel would bear "an eternal disgrace."

He further warned that reliance on the Israeli regime would not bring security to any nation, asserting that "the Israeli regime is destined for destruction by divine decree." 

Emphasizing that the crimes of the Zionist regime in Gaza are astonishing, the Leader of Islamic Revolution added, "People are going to a place to get food, they destroyed ten times more with a machine gun than they destroy with a bomb. Killing people used to be expensive; they made it cheap. They had to use bombs, now they use bullets.

"Of course, America is complicit in this crime. America's hands are dirty, that's why we repeat that America must leave the region."

Go deeper:

Leader: World’s Silence Toward Gaza Is a Collapse of Morals

Zohre Khazaee