Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei: 'We did not do it, but we kiss the hands of those who attacked Israel'
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei stated that while Tehran was not behind the attack carried out by Hamas against Israel on Saturday, he is pleased with Israel's "irreparable military and intelligence defeat."
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As the attacks carried out by the armed wing of Hamas, affiliated with Palestine, on the morning of October 7 continue into their third day with heavy Israeli operations, a striking statement has come from Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
In his first television appearance following the attacks, Khamenei made the following remarks:
''The cause of this catastrophe is the Zionist regime's own actions. This devastating earthquake (in Israel) has destroyed some critical structures, and they will not be able to recover easily.''
Continuing the program, Khamenei insisted that Iran was not involved in Hamas's attack on Israel, stating, "We kiss the hands of those who planned the attack on the Zionist regime."
ISRAEL VOICED IT, IRAN DENIED IT
While Israeli officials have been debating since Saturday whether Iran was behind the attack, some argue that Iran's numerous meetings with Hamas leaders, as well as its financial and military support, are proof that Tehran is truly behind this.
The US side, meanwhile, stated that they have seen no evidence of Iranian involvement in Saturday's attack. In an interview with CNN on Sunday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, "We have not yet seen evidence that Iran directed or is behind this particular attack, but there is certainly a long relationship."
A spokesperson for Iran's Permanent Mission to the United Nations also said on Sunday that Tehran supports the attacks but did not direct them.
The spokesperson stated, "The decisions made by the Palestinian resistance are autonomous and solely in the interest of the Palestinian people. We are not part of the Palestinian response. This decision was made by Palestine alone."