Iran 's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, seen here in June 2006,called on Muslims on Wednesday to resist Israel and the United States, vowing Iran would support Lebanon in the confrontation of the Israeli attacks.(File photo/AFP) [Gallery] [Videos]

    "Muslims in the world must understand the only method to fight back the savage wolf of Zionism and Great Satan's aggression is resistance," Khamenei said in a speech broadcast by the state television.

    "The behavior and the aggressive essentiality of Israel and the United States will arouse the spirit of resistance more than before in the Islamic world and will further prove the value of Jihad (holy war)," he continued.

    Khamenei also vowed to support Lebanese and the Palestinians in the face of Israeli attack.

    "Iran will stand with all oppressed peoples, particularly the Lebanese people and the Palestinian people," said the top leader.

    "Regional nations and Islamic juntas and followers of other religions in Lebanon and all Islamic countries should give a hand and unite, and they should not allow divisions which can enhance our enemy," he said.

    Iran's top officials recently have reiterated strong indignation at Israel and the U.S. role in the Israeli offensive in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, calling on international community to be more active in an effort to stop the conflicts.

    Israel kept up a massive offensive against Lebanon's Shiite group Hezbollah, which was launched on July 12 following the capture of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah guerillas.

    On another front, Israel continued an over-one-month-old large-scale air and ground operation in the Palestinian territory of Gaza in a bid to bring home a kidnapped soldier and halt Palestinian rocket fire. Enditem

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