Agencies | Tehran:
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Sunday called on Muslim-majority countries across the region to strengthen unity and cooperation in opposition to the United States and Israel, in a written message issued six months after the outbreak of the Middle East war.
Khamenei, who assumed Iran’s highest political authority after the reported death of his father, Ali Khamenei, at the beginning of the conflict on February 28, has not made a public appearance since his appointment. Iranian authorities have also not released video or audio recordings of him.
Khamenei issued the message as Shia Muslims observed the birthday anniversary of Prophet Muhammad, using the occasion to call for greater solidarity among Islamic countries.
“The solution to the problems of the Islamic nations is unity of words, friendship, and cooperation on the path of goodness,” he said, according to his official website.
He warned that divisions within the Muslim world could benefit those seeking to weaken Islamic countries.
“Anyone, in any position, who does anything that leads to division among Muslims and creates conflict in the Muslim community, knowingly or unknowingly, intentionally or unintentionally, has served the purpose of the enemies of Islam,” he said.
The Iranian leader also appealed to governments across the region to reassess their strategic priorities and confront what he described as plans by the United States and Israel.
“Recognise your real enemy, understand its plan, and confront it,” Khamenei said.
His remarks come against the backdrop of heightened tensions between Iran and several Arab states following the conflict. During the war, Iran targeted US military installations in several Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain.
The attacks further complicated Tehran’s relations with governments hosting US military forces in the region.
Khamenei also called on Iranian officials and citizens to set aside internal differences and maintain social cohesion.
“Again, this servant’s advice to the Iranian people is to not allow any differences to arise among themselves in any way,” he said in his Sunday message.
In a separate statement issued on Friday, he similarly warned against actions that could undermine social unity.
“I firmly declare that doing anything detrimental to social cohesion is prohibited,” he said.
The emphasis on domestic cohesion comes as Iran continues to face significant political, economic and social pressures linked to the prolonged conflict, international sanctions and restrictions on trade and finance.
In his Friday message, Khamenei also called for a gradual reduction in Iran’s dependence on the US dollar and urged increased domestic production to strengthen the economy.
The call for de-dollarisation comes amid longstanding US sanctions and economic restrictions that have affected Iran’s access to international financial markets and contributed to pressure on businesses and households.
Khamenei argued that boosting domestic production would be essential to improving economic resilience.
His latest statements combine calls for regional political unity, domestic social cohesion and economic self-reliance as Tehran continues to navigate a highly volatile geopolitical environment.
