Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Affirms Hamas To Hezbollah Is Not Iran's Proxy

JAKARTA - Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected claims that Iran lost its proxy in the Middle East region, insisting Tehran did not have a proxy force.

"Some have continued to say Iran has lost its proxy forces in the region. This is another false statement. Iran has no proxy forces," Ayatollah Khamenei said in a meeting with a group of poets and speech experts on Sunday, quoted from IRNA December 22.

Khamenei further emphasized that militant groups linked to Iran are actually at war on their own beliefs, not in the name of Tehran.

"Shaman fights because of his faith, Hezbollah fights because his faith empowers him to take action, Hamas and Jihad (Islam) go to war because of their belief in forcing them to do so. They do not act on our behalf," said Ayatollah Khamenei.

Stressing Tehran's position, Ayatollah Khamenei highlighted his country's ability to act independently if necessary.

"If one day we decide to take action, we don't need a proxy force," he said.

Regarding the current instability of the region, Khamenei urged a firm resistance to those who regulate and implement these insecurity.

"We must stand with strength and determination against those who have designed and carried out this insecurity, we will win over them," he said.

Khamenei added that he predicted a brighter future for the region, underscoring its optimism for transformative changes in the dynamics of the region.