17-10-2023 13:31 | Abroad | author ANP/RTR/AFP TEHRAN - Iran's spiritual leader Ali Khamenei accuses Israel of "genocide" against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The Grand Ayatollah demands that bombings in that densely populated area be stopped immediately.
Khamenei said in Tehran that "no one can stop the Muslims and resistance forces" if "the Zionist regime's crimes continue." Audience members in the audience chanted “death to Israel.”
Iran has repeatedly used threatening language. Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian spoke about a possible "preemptive strike" after consultations with Hezbollah. He said the "resistance leaders" will not allow "Israel to act as it sees fit in Gaza."
Shockwave
A senior commander of the Revolutionary Guards, the Iranian regime's shock troops, also issued a warning on Tuesday. According to state media, Ali Fadavi promised Israel a "shock wave" if the "atrocities" in Gaza do not stop.
There is international fear that other countries will increasingly become involved in the war between Israel and Hamas. That group carried out a bloody surprise attack on Israel on October 7, which responded with air strikes on the Gaza Strip.
Iran has powerful allies in the region, such as the Shia Hezbollah movement in Lebanon. It has repeatedly targeted Israel in recent days. Iranian authorities also support Hamas, but say they were not involved in the attack on Israel.
