Iranian supreme leader praises missile attack on Israel, saying Iran will do it again if necessary

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s supreme leader on Friday praised the country’s recent missile strike on Israel and said it was ready to do it again if necessary, state TV reported.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in his first appearance as leader at Friday prayers in about five years, called the missile strike a “shining” job by Iran's armed forces.

On Tuesday, Iran launched at least 180 missiles at Israel, the latest in a series of rapidly escalating attacks between Israel and Iran and its allies that threaten to push the Middle East closer to a regionwide war. Israel said it intercepted many of the missiles, and officials in Washington said U.S. destroyers assisted in Israel’s defense.

Iran said most of its missiles hit their targets. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

Khamenei, 85, said in a 40-minute speech to thousands of people at the Mosalla mosque, the main prayer site in Tehran, that the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel nearly a year ago on Oct. 7, 2023, was a legitimate action by the Palestinian people.

He said Tuesday's missile barrage was based on international law, the country’s law and Islamic beliefs.

He urged nations from “Afghanistan to Yemen and from Iran to Gaza and Yemen” to be ready to take action against the enemy, and praised those who had died doing so.

“Our resisting people in Lebanon and Palestine, you brave fighters, you loyal and patient people, these martyrdoms and the blood that was shed shouldn’t shake your determination but make you more persistent,” he said.

Khamenei gave half of the speech in Arabic as he addressed his comments to Arab nations.

His last appearance at Friday prayers was after the death of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in 2020 in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad.

A ceremony commemorating the death of Lebanese Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was held before Khamenei’s speech. Most high-ranking Iranian officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian and top Revolutionary Guard generals, attended the ceremony.

Iran is Hezbollah’s main backer and has sent weapons and billions of dollars to the group.

Also on Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, where he was expected to discuss ongoing fighting between Israel and Hezbollah with Lebanese officials.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Iran sent a shipment of aid to Lebanon, including 10 tons of food and medicine.

In this photo released by Iranian Foreign Ministry, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi steps out of his plane upon arrival at Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (Iranian Foreign Ministry via AP)

In this photo released by Iranian Foreign Ministry, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, left, is welcomed by a group of officials upon arrival at Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (Iranian Foreign Ministry via AP)

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, second left, meets with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, right, in Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati during their meeting in Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

In this photo released by the official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, second right, Judiciary Chief Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejehei, right, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, second left, and President Masoud Pezeshkian read Quran in a ceremony commemorating slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, at Imam Khomeini grand mosque in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)

KISELJAK, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) — A severe rainstorm struck Bosnia overnight Friday, killing at least 14 people in floods and landslides in several towns and villages in central and southern parts of the country.

Rescue services in the south of the country reported several people missing and called on volunteers and the army to assist as roads were closed and houses left without electricity.

Darko Juka, a spokesman for the local administration, said at least 14 people had died in and around the southern town of Jablanica.

“Those are the ones who have been discovered by rescuers,” he said. “We still don't know the final death toll.”

“I don't remember such a crisis since the war,” Juka said referring to the 1992-95 war in Bosnia that left the country in ruins. “The scale of this chaotic situation is harrowing.”

Defense Minister Zukan Helez told N1 regional television that troops have been engaged to help and that the casualties were reported.

Helez said that “hour after hour we are receiving news about new victims … We sent everyone we could. Our first priority is to save the people who are alive and buried in houses where the landslides are.”

A pregnant woman lost her baby after she was rescued from the floods and transferred to a hospital in the regional center of Mostar. Authorities said doctors were fighting for her life as well. Separately, a child was successfully rescued and hospitalized, local officials said.

Rescue services in the towns of Jablanica and Kiseljak said the power was off overnight and mobile phones lost their signal.

The Jablanica fire station said that the town was completely inaccessible because roads and trainlines were closed.

“The police informed us that the railroad is also blocked,” the state rescue service said in a statement. “You can’t get in or out of Jablanica at the moment. Landline phones are working, but mobile phones have no signal.”

It urged people not to venture out on the flooded streets.

Human-caused climate change increases the intensity of rainfall because warm air holds more moisture. This summer, the Balkans were also hit by long-lasting record temperatures, causing a drought. Scientists said the dried-out land has hampered the absorption of floodwaters.

Drone footage broadcast on Bosnian media showed villages and towns completely submerged under water, while videos on social networks showed dramatic scenes of muddy torrents and damaged roads.

Photos show that one of the busiest roads linking Sarajevo with the Adriatic coast via Jablanica was swept into a river together with a railway line in a huge landslide.

“Many people are endangered because of big waters and landslides. There is information about victims and many injured and missing persons,” said the civic protection service.

Authorities urged people to stay on upper floors. Reports said surging waters swept away domestic animals and cars as the water swiftly filled up the lower floors of buildings.

The heavy rains and strong winds were also reported in neighboring Croatia where several roads were closed and the capital of Zagreb prepared for the swollen Sava River to burst its banks.

Heavy winds have hampered traffic along the southern coast of the Adriatic, and flash floods caused by heavy rain threatened several towns and villages in Croatia.

Floods caused by torrential rains were also reported in Montenegro, south of Bosnia, where some villages were cut off and roads and homes flooded.

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AP writers Dusan Stojanovic and Jovana Gec contributed from Belgrade, Serbia.

Apartment buildings are reflected at a flooded soccer field after a heavy rain in the village of Kiseljak, northern Bosnia, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)

Apartment buildings are reflected at a flooded soccer field after a heavy rain in the village of Kiseljak, northern Bosnia, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)

Apartment buildings are reflected at a flooded soccer field after a heavy rain in the village of Kiseljak, northern Bosnia, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)

Flooded houses is seen after a heavy rain in the village of Luke, near Bosnian town of Fojnica , 50 kilometers (31 miles) west of Sarajevo, Bosnia, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Robert Oroz)

Flooded houses after a heavy rain in the village of Luke, near Bosnian town of Fojnica, 50 kms west of Sarajevo, Bosnia, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Robert Oroz)

Flooded houses after a heavy rain in the village of Luke, near Bosnian town of Fojnica, 50 kms west of Sarajevo, Bosnia, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Robert Oroz)

Flooded houses after a heavy rain in the village of Luke, near Bosnian town of Fojnica, 50 kms west of Sarajevo, Bosnia, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Robert Oroz)

Flooded houses is seen after a heavy rain in the village of Luke, near Bosnian town of Fojnica , 50 kilometers (31 miles) west of Sarajevo, Bosnia, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Robert Oroz)

Vehicles are partially submerged in flood waters outside an apartment building in the village of Kiseljak, northern Bosnia, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)

A motorcycle is partially submerged in flood waters outside an apartment building in the village of Kiseljak, northern Bosnia, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)

A car is submerged in flood waters outside an apartment building in the village of Kiseljak, northern Bosnia, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)