TEHRAN - In a speech delivered at Imam Khomeini’s Grand Mosalla in Tehran, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, once again asserted that Israel will face consequences for its recent attack on Iran’s embassy in Damascus.

Referring to the Israeli missile attack on the consular section of the Iranian Embassy on April 1, Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized the sanctity of diplomatic missions, stating, “The consulate and diplomatic missions in any country are considered to be the territory of that country. When they attack our consulate, it means they have attacked our soil."

The Leader mourned the loss of two senior Iranian military personnel and five accompanying officers, who were killed in the attack. Among the martyrs were Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi and his deputy General Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi, both from the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force.

"The evil regime made a mistake and must be punished and will be punished," declared Ayatollah Khamenei, underscoring Iran's resolve to retaliate against Israel’s grave transgression.

Western civilization's “evil nature” exposed in Gaza war

Ayatollah Khamenei strongly criticized Western governments for their role in the months-long Israeli onslaught against Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip. He expressed his dismay at the actions of Western nations, particularly in their support for the Israeli regime, which has led to a devastating toll on innocent civilians in the enclave.

“In this year's events, Western governments exposed the evil nature of Western civilizations. During the last six months in Gaza, the Western governments, themselves, put on display this evil nature before the eyes of the world," the Leader said.

"They killed children in their mothers' arms and patients in hospitals. Their strength does not match that of the resistance fighters, so they claim the lives of old men, families, children, and women, and killed more than thirty thousand innocent people."

The Leader added, “Where are those whose cacophonous voice on human rights deafen the ears of the world? Are these not human beings? Don’t they have any rights?”

Israel’s latest war in Gaza that followed Palestinian resistance movements' Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, has escalated into a dire humanitarian situation, with over 33,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, losing their lives. The Israeli regime's tactics, including blockades on essential resources like water, food, and electricity, have further intensified the suffering of Gaza's population.

Some Muslim countries “helping” Zionists

Later in the day, The Leader met with a group of Iranian authorities and Muslim ambassadors.

There, he lauded the widespread demonstrations in Iran and worldwide that happened on Friday in solidarity with Palestine. Quds Day, observed on the last Friday of Ramadan, witnessed what Ayatollah Khamenei described as an "extraordinary, political, and international move" in support of the Palestinian cause.

Emphasizing the paramount importance of Gaza within the Islamic world's concerns, Ayatollah Khamenei urged universal accountability, stating that it is incumbent upon all to recognize their responsibility toward the besieged region.

The Leader also acknowledged the notable upsurge in pro-Palestinian demonstrations spanning regions like the U.S., Europe, and Africa.

"The hearts of nations go out to Gaza, even the non-Muslims. You see these rallies and demonstrations that are staged across the world in favor of the Palestinians and the people of Gaza; these marches are unprecedented. We have not seen anything like this," Ayatollah Khamenei remarked.

The Leader, however, denounced as “regrettable” the support provided by certain Muslim countries to the Israeli regime in its months-long war on Gaza. “This is a betrayal of the Islamic Ummah. It is also a self-betrayal, because they are strengthening the waning Zionist institutions and this empowerment will be to their own detriment,” he warned.

Ayatollah Khamenei also called on the Muslim community to sever relations with the Israeli regime as there is no end in sight regarding the occupying entity’s barbaric war on Gaza.

Islamic governments should cut off their economic ties and political relations with the Zionist regime, the Leader said, describing it as the "definite proposal" of the Islamic Republic of Iran. 

But for now, "the least we can expect from Muslim countries is that they temporarily cut ties with the Zionist regime and do not help it as long as it continues its crimes" against Palestinians, the Leader said.