International: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday pledged to "foil the enemy's plans" in an address to the nation amid escalating tensions with its arch-rival Israel. Khameini said all Muslims country have a "common enemy" as hundreds mourned assassinated Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Tehran.

Khamenei said Muslim nations have to strap the "belt of defence" from Afghanistan to Yemen, from Iran to Gaza and Lebanon and asserted that every country has a right to defend itself from aggressors. He said Iran would neither delay nor rush to respond to Israel.

Hamas' October 7 attacks 'legitimate': Khamenei

The 85-year-old Khamenei also remarked that Hamas' October 7 attacks on Israel were "legitimate", as was Iran's missile attack on Tuesday that was largely considered ineffective but raised fears of an all-out war in the region. "The brilliant action of our armed forces a couple of nights ago was completely legal and legitimate," he said.

He also accused Israel of 'pretending' to win over its conflicts by assassinations and civilian killings, but its recent behaviour had only increased anger and strengthened the motive of Tehran's so-called 'Axis of Resistance'. The Iranian Supreme Leader also targeted the United States, accusing it of protecting Israel under the pretext of seizing the region's resources.

Khamenei also spoke of a broader plan to make Israel a gate for energy exports from the Middle East to Europe.