As Israel vows to burn Tehran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has an uphill battle to quell Iran's internal rifts

Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that "Tehran will burn" if Iran continues its missile attacks on Tel Aviv. This comes as Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed to punish Israel and even threatened to target regional bases and ships of its allies the US and the UK.

However, with the deaths of his trusted men in the top military and government brass, Khamenei has another uphill battle to fight closer home: The infighting among the country's parliamentarians.

A day before Israel's ruthless attack on Iranian military and nuclear facilities, Khamenei warned the hardline members of the Majles, which is the Iranian Parliament, to fall in line. These hardline MPs have been at loggerheads with President Massoud Pezeshkian and his government, often trying to derail his cabinet appointments.

Khamenei agreed with the MPs' rights to summoning ministers to a commission and investigating them. However, he urged the lawmakers not to target the government over political differences.

"On fundamental issues, the country must speak with one voice. Our nation and all its institutions—our political class, our management structure—must act as one hand," Khamenei said on June 11.

Israel struck military and government targets across the country with the silent support of US President Donald Trump, who has publicly denied backing Tel Aviv.

In retaliation, Iran launched launched a counterstrike, “True Promise 3,” firing 200 ballistic missiles in four waves along with hundreds of drones to target Israeli military centres and airbases. Following the strikes, Khamenei addressed the nation on state television, saying, "The armed forces of the Islamic republic will inflict heavy blows upon this malevolent enemy." 

Later in the day, Iranian MP Esmael Kosari said they are "seriously reviewing" the closure of Strait of Hormuz. The newly appointed Revolutionary Guards chief, Mohammad Pakpour, also warned Tel Aviv, threatening to open “the gates of hell” on them.

Middle East