CNN at Friday Prayers as Iranians shout ‘death to America’

Iran’s hardliners flexing their muscles, screaming death to America and death to Israel at Tehran’s main Friday prayers. The staunchly conservative prayer leader saying the Islamic Republic will not back down. Iran has warned it will take an even harder line towards the US and towards Israel in the future, saying that if Israel attacks Iran or its assets one more time, the Iranians will strike back from their own territory. Tensions in the Middle East remain at a boiling point after Iran launched a massive drone and missile attack against Israel in retaliation for the bombing of its embassy compound in Syria, killing several top Revolutionary Guard commanders. Israel, the US and other allies managed to take down most of the Iranian drones and missiles, but Israel then hitting back with a limited strike against an airfield in central Iran. The hardliners flying, massive Palestinian flags ripping into Israeli operation in Gaza and the US is support for Israel. The message here? Iran is ready for a confrontation. In fact, we are even happy about this. This man says we are praying day and night for a second and third attack. And he says we’ve had these threats for a long time. But the difference is now the people are strong, the IRGC is strong and the army is strong and we have strong tools. And this cleric says if the Islamic Republic of Iran will have more conflicts in the future, it doesn’t mean we are war mongering. We’re just reacting to the bullies. But on the streets of Tehran, concerned, the current tensions could escalate and even turn into war. I believe the situation will get worse, this man says, as both sides are more combative. And in my opinion it will lead to war and to calamity for people. This woman says. We are definitely concerned, worried, but what can we ordinary people do about it? Iran’s leadership says its military is ready for combat, even as they say war is not in their interest. For Pike in CNN Tehran.