Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly been moved to a secure location within the country, following the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli strike near Beirut. Two regional officials briefed by Tehran confirmed this to Reuters, indicating that heightened security measures have been put in place amid concerns over further escalations in the region.
Khamenei, in a statement released on Saturday, announced five days of public mourning and described Nasrallah as “the flag-bearer of resistance” in the region. He vowed that Nasrallah’s death would not go unresponded too, stating, “The blood of the martyr shall not go unavenged.” Khamenei also emphasized that the “fate of this region will be determined by the forces of resistance, with Hezbollah at the forefront.”
In the wake of Nasrallah’s death, Iranian Revolutionary Guards have reportedly initiated a large-scale operation to inspect all communication devices, suspecting potential infiltration by Israeli agents. An Iranian security official informed Reuters that the investigation is centered around mid- and high-ranking members of the Revolutionary Guards. Many of the communication devices under scrutiny were either made in Lebanon or imported from China and Russia.
Nasrallah’s death has sparked public gathering in Iran, with hundreds of protesters taking to the streets in Tehran, waving Hezbollah flags and chanting anti-Israel slogans. According to the Associated Press, chants of “Death to Israel” and “Death to Netanyahu the murderer” were prominent among demonstrators. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the killing, partially blaming the United States for its support of Israel, and stated, “The Americans cannot deny their complicity with the Zionists.”
‘He gave his life for Islam, defending the oppressed’ – Anger, grief at Tehran protest over IDF killing of Hezbollah’s Nasrallah.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement on Saturday that the ‘blood of the martyr shall not go unavenged.’ Khamenei also… pic.twitter.com/F213Uy2DQY
— Viory Video (@vioryvideo) September 29, 2024
However, there have also been unconfirmed videos circulating social media showing some people across the middle east celebrating the death of Nasrallah. There have been confirmed videos of public celebration from the Iranian diaspora in Toronto.
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Iranians and Israelis living in Canada gathered in Toronto to celebrate the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and thanked Israel. pic.twitter.com/qyeueYcQNn
— Europe Invasion (@EuropeInvasionn) September 29, 2024
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