TEHRAN — A drone attack claimed by Yemen's Houthi rebels that hit Tel Aviv, the Israeli capital, on Friday drew loud applause from Iranian officials and has grabbed extensive positive coverage by the country's state media.
Israel said the attack left one civilian dead and ten others injured after it targeted a central district that is home to several diplomatic missions, including one run by the American Embassy.
"This operation was yet another warning for an end to the beastly aggressions on the people of Gaza by the savage Zionists," said Mohammad Hassan Abu-Torabifard, the Friday prayer leader of the capital Tehran, as he addressed loyalists who responded to his remarks with "death to Israel" chants.
The hard-line cleric and all other Iranian Friday prayer leaders are directly appointed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the talking points in their sermons are coordinated with Khamenei's office to ensure that his official views are publicly echoed.
