Khamenei quotes Quran, criticizes Arab normalization with Israel, claims “instead of being firm against disbelievers, they are servants and followers of the US and Zionists”; Reports claim IDF used supersonic Rampage missile capable of evading S-300 missile defense system in recent Syria strikes.
Iran’s Supreme Ruler Ayatollah Ali Khamenei claimed that Arab states normalizing ties and relations with Israel violate the Quran on Monday. He made the remarks while speaking at the 36th International Holy Quran Recitation Competition in Tehran where he criticized Arab leadership for not being “firm against disbelievers”, referring to both the Zionists and the United States.
Khamenei announced, “Many deviations, misunderstandings, feelings of disappointment, betrayals, hostilities and submissions to false deities are caused by staying away from the Quran and the spirituality and knowledge gained from it.” He charged that “Unfortunately, some heads of Islamic countries do not follow Quranic instructions, and instead of being firm against disbelievers, they are servants and followers of the US and Zionists. They pave the way for divisions and wars, like the wars in Yemen and Syria, and the massacre of Muslims,” in reference to states like Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
He went on to quote the Quran and claimed, “The Quran says ‘Be stern with the disbelievers.’ Some of us Muslims forget that, like those in Muslim countries who compromise with the United States and Zionists, shedding the blood of Palestinians and violating their rights. Today, many heads of Arab countries are like that.”
His claims follow Israel’s recent airstrikes in Syria on an Iranian missile factory where Iranian casualties were reported this weekend. Satellite imagery confirmed the site was destroyed and was a surface-to-surface missile factory working to “improve the accuracy of missiles.” The Israel Defense Forces refused to comment on the events, but reports claimed Israel may have used the new supersonic “Rampage” air-to-surface missiles in the strikes for the first time.
The missiles are capable of evading the Russian-made S-300 missile defense system, which Syria has deployed around many of its bases. The Rampage is a long-range, air-to-ground assault missile that uses advanced navigation for faster (around 140 kilometers per hour) strikes on fixed and time-critical targets. It can be deployed from F-15, F-16 and F-35 fighter jets.
Iran has taken to accusing Israel and the United States on an “economic war” on the Islamic Republic as the Trump Administration’s sanctions continue to increase and cripple the country’s economy.
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