Khamenei to lead Friday Prayers after eight years

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei will lead Friday prayers for the first time after eight years. Ayatollah will lead prayers as protests have been arranged over the Ukrainian plane crash.

Khamenei will lead Friday Prayers at Mosalla Mosque in Tehran.

Officials say “the Iranian nation will once again demonstrate their unity and magnificence”.

Ayatollah Khamenei had lead prayers last time in 2012 on the 22nd anniversary of Iran’s Islamic Revolution.

According to Mehdi Khalaji of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, leading Friday prayers reflect as a significant act and Iran’s leaders usually deliver important sermons on this occasion.

US sanctions have created adverse effects on Iran’s economy. Iran’s leadership is under huge pressure.

President Hassan Rouhani had appealed for national unity on Wednesday.

Note that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had addressed the nation in the aftermath of the missile attacks at Iraq bases housing US troops.

Khamenei said the attack on the bases was successful.

“Iran is a peaceful country that does not seek escalation with any other nation. We prepared to deal with the bullies of the world”, he said.

The attack comes in response to the assassination of the Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani.

Ayatollah Khamenei during his address said that the US is Iran’s enemy.

US troops should leave the region, he said.

The presence of the US in the region must come to an end, Khamenei said.

At least eighty Americans reportedly killed during Iran missile attacks on US targets at Iraqi military bases.