Iran's Supreme Leader Leads Prayers during Mousavi's Funeral

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, shown at a 2009 clerical gathering. Reuters file photo
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, shown at a 2009 clerical gathering. Reuters file photo
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Iran's Supreme Leader Leads Prayers during Mousavi's Funeral

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, shown at a 2009 clerical gathering. Reuters file photo
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, shown at a 2009 clerical gathering. Reuters file photo

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei led prayers on Thursday at the funeral of Sayyed Razi Mousavi, a senior Revolutionary Guards adviser who was killed in what Iran said was an Israeli air strike in Syria.

Khamenei paid tribute "to this martyr's tireless struggle and called for his companionship with the guardians of God," state TV said.

His body was flown from Syria to Najaf in Iraq before being taken to Tehran, according to Reuters.

An Israeli military spokesperson declined specific comment about Mousavi's death on Monday, but said it took whatever action that was necessary to defend the country.

Since the eruption of war between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7, Iran-backed groups have mounted operations against Israel, while others, including militias in Iraq, have threatened US interests.

Israel has for years carried out attacks against what it describes as Iran-linked targets in Syria, where Tehran's influence has grown since it backed President Bashar al-Assad in the civil war that erupted in Syria in 2011.



Pope Francis Slams World’s ‘Shameful Inability’ to Stop Israel-Hamas War

This overview shows destroyed buildings in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on October 7, 2024 on the first anniversary of the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. (AFP)
This overview shows destroyed buildings in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on October 7, 2024 on the first anniversary of the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. (AFP)
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Pope Francis Slams World’s ‘Shameful Inability’ to Stop Israel-Hamas War

This overview shows destroyed buildings in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on October 7, 2024 on the first anniversary of the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. (AFP)
This overview shows destroyed buildings in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on October 7, 2024 on the first anniversary of the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. (AFP)

Pope Francis criticized on Monday what he called the "shameful inability" of the international community to end the war in the Middle East, one year after Hamas' devastating attack on Israel.

"A year ago, the fuse of hatred was lit; it did not sputter, but exploded in a spiral of violence," he said in an open letter to Catholics in the region.

"It seems that few people care about what is most needed and what is most desired: dialogue and peace," he wrote. "Violence never brings peace. History proves this, yet years and years of conflict seem to have taught us nothing."

Francis, who has also made Monday a day of fasting and prayers for peace for Catholics globally, has spoken more openly in recent weeks about the Hamas-Israel conflict, and has become more vocal in his criticism of Israel's military campaign.

On Sept. 29, the 87-year-old pontiff criticized Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah as well as non-combatants, suggesting the airstrikes went "beyond morality".

Earlier in September, the pope called Israel's actions in Lebanon "unacceptable" and urged the international community to do everything possible to halt the fighting.

In his letter on Monday, Francis directly addressed Gazans: "I am with you, the people of Gaza, long embattled and in dire straits. You are in my thoughts and prayers daily."

"I am with you, who have been forced to leave your homes, to abandon schooling and work and to find a place of refuge from the bombing. ... I am with you, who are afraid to look up for fear of fire raining down from the skies," he wrote.