Khamenei Avoids Commenting on Trump’s Victory

Khamenei Avoids Commenting on Trump’s Victory
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Khamenei Avoids Commenting on Trump’s Victory

Khamenei Avoids Commenting on Trump’s Victory

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei avoided commenting on Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election or issuing a response to Israel. Instead, he stated that the “various forms of jihad continuing strongly today in Lebanon and Palestine will inevitably lead to the victory of the Resistance Front.”

Khamenei remarked that the Axis of Resistance remains “strong despite the deaths of many top leaders within these groups,” alluding to figures such as Hassan Nasrallah, Secretary-General of Hezbollah, his deputy Hashem Safieddine, as well as Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas, his successor Yahya Sinwar, and IRGC commander Abbas Nilforushan, who was killed in Beirut in September.

Khamenei’s official website quoted him addressing members of the Assembly of Experts after their semi-annual meeting, stating: “Some people, assuming that Hezbollah has weakened, have begun criticizing Hezbollah’s actions both within Lebanon and elsewhere.”

He added: “They are mistaken and lost in illusion.”

The Iranian leader also criticized the United States and several European countries for what he described as “their role in the crimes in Gaza and Lebanon.”

However, he steered clear of discussing the results of the US election. Meanwhile, Iranian media recirculated a video clip from early 2021, shortly after Joe Biden’s election victory and just days before the first anniversary of General Qassem Soleimani’s death, in which Khamenei commented that Trump and his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo “have been consigned to the garbage heap of history.”

Khamenei made no mention of Iran’s recent threats of retaliation against Israel. Previously, on Saturday, he had pledged a “harsh response” to Israeli strikes on military sites, including missile facilities and radar systems.

In part of his speech, Khamenei discussed Hezbollah’s growing capabilities, asserting: “Hezbollah is strong and will inflict a clear defeat on the Zionist entity.”

He continued: “Based on Hezbollah’s and Hamas’ past experiences in conflict, recent events will undoubtedly lead to victory for the front of truth and resistance.”

“Hezbollah has developed remarkably, to the point that the enemy, despite being equipped with all types of physical, propaganda, and economic weaponry, has not been able to defeat it—and will not be able to,” Khamenei further statet.

He concluded that Israel’s goal in the war is “to eliminate Hamas, but despite committing massacres that have claimed tens of thousands of lives and killing Hamas leaders, they have not achieved this goal.”



Reactions to the ICC warrants

An exterior view of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, 21 November 2024. EPA/REMKO DE WAAL
An exterior view of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, 21 November 2024. EPA/REMKO DE WAAL
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Reactions to the ICC warrants

An exterior view of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, 21 November 2024. EPA/REMKO DE WAAL
An exterior view of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, 21 November 2024. EPA/REMKO DE WAAL

These are reactions to the International Criminal Court arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas commander Ibrahim al-Masri, who is believed to be dead.

The warrants are for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and Israel's military campaign in Gaza since then.

ISRAEL:
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office:
"Israel rejects with disgust the absurd and false actions leveled against it by ICC," the office said, calling the move antisemitic.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog:
"The decision chose the side of terrorism and evil over democracy and freedom and turned the international justice system itself into a human shield for Hamas' crimes against humanity."

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar:
"A dark moment for the International Criminal Court," Saar said, adding the court had "lost all legitimacy" and adding that it had issued "absurd orders without authority".

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid:
"Israel defends its life against terrorist organizations that attacked, murdered and raped our citizens, these arrest warrants are a reward for terrorism."

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich:
"Israel will continue to defend its citizens and its security with determination," he said, urging Netanyahu to sever contact with the court and impose sanctions on the Palestinian Authority and its leaders "to the point of its collapse".

Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir:
"The International Criminal Court in The Hague shows once again that it is antisemitic through and through."

PALESTINIANS:

Hamas official statement:
"We call on the International Criminal Court to expand the scope of accountability to all criminal occupation leaders."

Senior Hamas official Basem Naim:
"This is an important step on the path to justice and bringing justice to the victims but it remains a limited and spiritual step if it is not backed practically by all countries."

UNITED STATES:
Republican US Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of President-elect Trump: "The Court is a dangerous joke. It is now time for the US Senate to act and sanction this irresponsible body."

EUROPE:
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the ICC warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant are not political and the court decision should be respected and implemented.

Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp told parliament, "The Netherlands obviously respects the independence of the ICC," adding: "We won't engage in non-essential contacts and we will act on the arrest warrants. We fully comply with the Rome Statute of the ICC," he added.

France's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Christophe Lemoine said the French reaction to the warrants would be "in line with ICC statutes" but declined to say whether France would arrest the leader if he came to the country. "It's a point that is legally complex," he said.

Norway's Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said, "It is important that the ICC carries out its mandate in a judicious manner. I have confidence that the court will proceed with the case based on the highest fair trial standards."

Ireland's Prime Minister Simon Harris called the warrants "an extremely significant step" and added that Ireland respects the role of the ICC and anyone in a position to assist it in carrying out its vital work must do so "with urgency".

MIDDLE EAST:
Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said the ICC rulings should be respected and implemented, adding that "Palestinians deserve justice".