Two Years After Al-Aqsa Storm: Imam Khamenei’s Vision Proven True
A full account of the Iranian Leader’s statements and predictions on the 2023 Palestinian resistance operation that changed the course of history
Iran, PUREWILAYAH.COM - Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, launched on October 7, 2023 (15 Mehr 1402), marked a turning point in the modern history of Palestine’s resistance against occupation.
On October 9, 2023 (18 Mehr), Imam Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, delivered his first official response during a joint graduation ceremony of the military academies of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Armed Forces.
In his address, the Leader hailed the operation as a heroic, brave, self-sacrificing, and fully independent act by the Palestinian mujahideen in response to decades of limitless oppression and crimes committed by the Zionist regime under the protection of Western governments — especially the United States and Britain.
“This epic,” he said, “is a storming, brave, self-sacrificing, and independent response by the Palestinian people to years of crimes and boundless oppression by the Zionist regime — supported by Western governments, especially America and Britain. The more crimes Israel commits, the more steadfast the Palestinian nation will become. The Islamic world must support the Palestinian resistance.”
The Leader’s initial reaction not only offered a moral and political perspective, but also outlined several key themes and two major predictions that have since proven true in the two years following the operation.
Al-Aqsa Storm Is a “Heroic Epic”
In his first response, Imam Khamenei used the term “ḥamāseh” (epic) to describe the event:
“Intelligent planners, brave young men, and self-sacrificing fighters have created this epic. God willing, this epic will be a great step toward the liberation of Palestine.”
Israel Is to Blame for the Al-Aqsa Storm
Imam Khamenei firmly stated that the Zionist regime itself was responsible for the eruption of the operation. He explained that long-standing oppression and savagery naturally brought about this storm of resistance.
“This calamity was brought upon the Zionists by their own actions. When oppression and crime exceed all bounds, when savagery reaches its peak, a storm must be expected. What have you done to the Palestinian people? This courageous and self-sacrificing action by the Palestinians was a response to the crimes of the usurping enemy, which have intensified in recent months. The current government of the Zionist regime bears full responsibility.”
The Leader continued:
“In the modern history of the world — as far as we know within the past hundred years — no Muslim nation has ever faced an enemy as wicked, shameless, and bloodthirsty as the one confronting the Palestinians today. No such hostility, cruelty, and savagery has ever been witnessed against any other Muslim people. Many nations have suffered oppression, but never at the hands of an enemy so shameless, vile, and ruthless.
The Zionist regime has shown no mercy to anyone — not to women or men, not to children or the elderly. It has desecrated Al-Aqsa Mosque, unleashed settlers like rabid dogs upon Palestinians, and trampled worshipers underfoot.
So what should a proud and ancient nation like Palestine do in the face of such barbarity? Naturally, it raises a storm. O Zionist oppressors, you are the cause of this storm; you have brought this calamity upon yourselves. A dignified nation has no path but to respond courageously and honorably.”
Western Governments — Especially the U.S. and Britain — Support Israel’s Crimes
The Leader underscored the full complicity of Western powers in Israel’s atrocities:
“No governments have ever supported any regime as much as the Western governments — especially America and Britain — have supported this false, oppressive, and bloodthirsty entity. First the British, then the Americans, and alongside them other governments — including the former Soviet Union — all have aided this tyrannical regime.”
First Prophecy Fulfilled: Israel’s False Victimhood Exposed
In the early days of the operation, Imam Khamenei warned the world about Israel’s false victimhood narrative, designed to justify further massacres against Palestinians.
“This claim of victimhood is entirely false. When Palestinian fighters broke free from the siege of Gaza and reached the Zionists’ military and civilian centers, how can the usurping regime call itself the victim? No — it is the oppressor, the aggressor, the liar.
This false victimhood is only a pretext to continue and multiply its crimes — bombing Gaza, attacking homes, killing civilians, and committing massacres.”
Over the past two years, the world has witnessed the accuracy of those words. Israel has killed nearly 80,000 residents of Gaza, most of them women and children. This horrific reality — now condemned even within Western capitals — stands as living proof of Imam Khamenei’s early warning.
Second Prophecy Fulfilled: The More Israel Kills, the Stronger Palestine Becomes
According to Imam Khamenei, every escalation of Israeli brutality only strengthens the resolve of the Palestinian resistance:
“The leaders of the Zionist regime and their supporters must know that their crimes will bring even greater calamities upon themselves. The reaction to these injustices will be a heavier slap on their ugly faces. The determination of the brave and self-sacrificing Palestinian youth will only grow stronger with these crimes.”
Indeed, Israel’s current inability to capture Gaza, eliminate Hamas, and its acceptance of Hamas’ conditions in hostage negotiations all reflect the deep truth of this prophecy — the steadfast will of the Palestinian resistance has only grown.
Al-Aqsa Storm Was Entirely Palestinian in Design
In response to early claims by Western and Zionist outlets that Iran had orchestrated the operation, Imam Khamenei categorically denied any such involvement:
“Those who say that this operation was not carried out by the Palestinians do not know the Palestinian nation. They underestimate them. This action was entirely the work of Palestinian planners, brave youth, and self-sacrificing fighters.”
Iran Supports the Resistance and Is Proud of It
The Leader clarified that denying direct Iranian involvement does not mean abandoning Palestine — on the contrary:
“We defend Palestine and its struggle. We kiss the foreheads and hands of its intelligent planners and brave youth. We are proud of them. The entire Islamic world is obliged to support the Palestinians — and, God willing, it will.
The Islamic nations must not remain silent in the face of these crimes. They must react.”
Two Years Later: The Truth of the Leader’s Words
Two years after Al-Aqsa Storm, the world has witnessed everything Imam Khamenei foretold: the collapse of the myth of Israeli invincibility, the steadfastness of the Palestinian resistance, and the exposure of Western complicity in Israel’s crimes.
The operation was not just a military act; it was a new chapter in history — the dawn of a moral, spiritual, and political transformation across the region. (PW)