Iran’s Khamenei Slams US Gaza Plan As ‘Stupid,’ Says It Will Fail

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has strongly criticized the US government’s plan for Gaza, calling it “stupid” and predicting that it will fail without the consent of Palestinians and their resistance groups.

Khamenei made these remarks on Tuesday while meeting with Ziyad Al-Nakhalah, the leader of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), in Tehran. According to Iran’s state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), the Supreme Leader dismissed US efforts to transform the war-ravaged Gaza Strip into a “Riviera” after relocating its current residents.

“Global public opinion is in favor of Palestine, and under these circumstances, no plan will succeed without the consent of the resistance and the people of Gaza,” Khamenei said.

His comments come amid ongoing tensions between Iran and the US over Middle East policies. The PIJ, which Al-Nakhalah leads, is designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the US and several of its allies. The group has been a key player in the conflict between Israel and Palestinian factions.

Khamenei’s statement reinforces Iran’s long-standing opposition to US involvement in the region, particularly regarding Israeli-Palestinian issues. Tehran has historically supported Palestinian militant groups, including Hamas and PIJ, in their fight against Israel.

The US has not officially responded to Khamenei’s remarks, but Washington’s recent discussions have included proposals for a post-war Gaza, including plans for governance, security, and reconstruction. However, the idea of forcibly relocating Gaza’s population has drawn widespread criticism.

As the situation in Gaza remains dire, with ongoing humanitarian crises and military operations, Khamenei’s comments reflect Iran’s commitment to backing Palestinian groups against Israeli and US strategies. The coming weeks will determine how international stakeholders respond to these developments and whether diplomatic solutions can emerge.