Iran’s supreme leader praises armed forces attack on Israel 

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks during a meeting with the commanders of the Iranian armed forces in Tehran, Iran April 21, 2024. Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader (West Asia News Agency/Handout via Reuters)

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, hailed the country's armed forces for their "success" in his first public remarks since Tehran launched a massive drone and missile attack on Israel last week. Meeting with senior Iranian military commanders Sunday, Khamenei praised the armed forces for their "success in recent events." He was referring to Iran’s air attack against Israel on April 13. "The armed forces showed a good image of their abilities and power and an admirable image of the Iranian nation," Khamenei said. "They also proved the emergence of the power of the Iranian nation's determination at the international level," he added.