Iran’s Supreme Leader Declares Anti-American and Anti-Israeli Sentiments

In a recent public address, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has remained out of the public eye since taking over after his father’s death, asserted that “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” would resonate as rallying cries among Muslims globally. He claimed that Israel is approaching its “final stage” of existence.

Khamenei’s remarks, made in a written message for the Hajj, characterized Israel as a “cancerous tumor.” He echoed a prediction made by his father ten years earlier, suggesting Israel wouldn’t last another 25 years and forecasted its ultimate downfall within the next 15. He also indicated that regional countries would no longer function as “shields” for American military bases.

“Death to America and Death to Israel will become common chants of the Muslim Ummah,” Khamenei mentioned, asserting the influence of young people oppressed by these nations. He praised groups like Hezbollah for what he described as victories against “American Zionist forces.”

The Supreme Leader further encouraged Muslims to pray for “the liberation of Palestine and al-Aqsa Mosque” and for “final victory over global arrogance,” a phrase often used by the regime to refer to the United States. He claimed that the “vacillating Zionist regime” and Israel, as a cancerous entity, are nearing the end of their existence, and indicated that the U.S. was losing its hold in the region.

Khamenei expressed that the Iranian military, alongside various aligned groups, had dealt a “severe slap” to both the U.S. and Israel, claiming that they had “taken the last breath” from Israel.

His comments emerged during rising tensions due to recent U.S. strikes against Iranian targets in southern Iran, which U.S. Central Command labeled as “self-defense.” In contrast, Iranian officials argued that these actions violated ongoing ceasefire negotiations.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards have cautioned that any forthcoming attacks from the U.S. or Israel would meet with a “devastating” response. Iranian state media also reported the destruction of a U.S. drone, although this has not been confirmed by the Pentagon.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah ramped up its offensive operations in northern Israel, coinciding with warnings from Israeli officials about potential military actions in Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel had intensified its operational efforts against Hezbollah.

These escalating tensions and inflammatory rhetoric occur even as the U.S. administration indicates progress in negotiations with Iran to resolve the ongoing conflict. Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned that discussions mediated by Qatar could lead to an agreement soon, although President Trump emphasized the need for a favorable deal.

Talking about the nuclear situation, President Trump reaffirmed that Iran must not retain enriched uranium that could be repurposed for nuclear weapons. He stated that enriched uranium would be returned to the U.S. for destruction.

Despite this, Iranian officials have maintained a hardline stance, emphasizing they have not yet addressed the specifics of their nuclear program, demanding that any agreement also includes discussions related to Lebanon, the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions relief, and the release of frozen assets.

Amid these negotiations, Iranian analyst Arash Azizi noted that Khamenei’s recent statements were particularly exclusionary toward Israel, reflecting the regime’s ongoing antagonism.

Reacting to Khamenei’s comments, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar suggested that the leader’s absence from public view since a violent incident raises questions about his credibility, playfully referencing a similar tone used by his father in the past.