TEHRAN – On Sunday, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, convened with the families of air defense staff who lost their lives during Israel’s attacks on Iranian territory last month.  

Four servicemen of the Iranian Army were martyred in fending off Israeli airstrikes that came on October 26. 

Ayatollah Khamenei held a meeting with the families of Martyrs Hamzeh Jahandideh, Mohammad Mahdi Shahrokhifar, Mehdi Naqavi, and Sajjad Mansouri.

Paying tribute to the martyrs' esteemed status, the Leader remarked, “Every martyr is honored, but the martyrdom of those who valiantly defended our nation against the Zionist regime, the most malevolent enemy of Islam, is truly outstanding.” 

The Leader of the Revolution extended prayers for patience and tranquility to the bereaved families, asserting, “The rewards for the families of the martyrs are no less than those earned by the martyrs themselves.” 

In the early hours of October 26, Israeli warplanes utilized Iraqi airspace to launch long-range ballistic missiles at Iran's military radar sites, causing minimal damage to some systems. Iran quickly restored these systems to full functionality, yet the assault resulted in the martyrdom of the four Army staff and one civilian. 

Iran successfully thwarted the attack, with reports indicating that Israeli forces were confronted by an 'unknown Iranian air defense system.' The nation's air defense systems operated effectively, providing robust protection. 

In remarks on Saturday, Leader emphasized that the enemy's actions will not go unanswered. He also asserted that Israel and its patron, the U.S., will face a “tooth-breaking response” for their aggressions against Iran and the broader Axis of Resistance. 

Other high-ranking Iranian officials have also made assertions regarding Iran's expected response. 

Major General Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), warned the U.S. and its "rabid dog” Israel on Sunday that they will receive a crushing response. 

Also on Sunday, his deputy, Brigadier General Ali Fadavi, affirmed that Iran's response to the Israeli regime is certainly imminent.

Iran has twice attacked Israel directly. Once in April after an Israeli airstrike on the Iranian embassy in Damascus, and once in October in response to a series of Israeli terrorist attacks targeting prominent Resistance figures. 

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has reassured Israel of his country’s readiness to defend the regime against Iran’s upcoming response. 

“The United States remains fully prepared to defend U.S. personnel, Israel, and partners across the region against threats from Iran.” he told Israeli War Minister Yoav Gallant last week.