Tehran will host a special Friday prayer service later this week, during which Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will deliver a sermon. The event is drawing increased attention both at home and abroad, as Khamenei rarely leads prayers or addresses the nation in person. He last delivered a sermon in 2020, following the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani, which marked a turning point in Iran’s relations with the United States.

This time, the key issue that Khamenei is expected to address will be Iran's response to the actions of Israel and its allies, including possible steps to retaliate for the recent airstrikes on positions in Lebanon and Syria that killed Iranian military personnel. The recent strikes have caused numerous civilian and military casualties, sparking outrage in Iran and calls for immediate action.

According to analysts, Khamenei's upcoming speech could be decisive in matters of Tehran's future strategy in the Middle East. Iranian authorities are already harshly criticizing Israel for its actions in the region, and the rhetoric of local media and clergy is aimed at preparing society for possible retaliatory strikes. Iran is reportedly considering not only diplomatic steps, but also the use of military force in response to the recent attacks.