Six months into the war, Iran’s new supreme leader urges Muslim unity against US and Israel
Six months after the Middle East war began, Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has called on Muslim countries across the region to put aside differences and stand together against what he described as threats from the United States and Israel.
Khamenei made the appeal in a written message on Sunday, coinciding with celebrations marking the birthday of Prophet Mohammed. His statement focused heavily on unity, cooperation and preventing divisions among Muslim nations.
“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 actions that create divisions within the Muslim community could ultimately benefit Iran’s adversaries, whether those actions were intentional or not.
Khamenei also directly addressed regional governments, urging their leaders to identify what he considers their “real enemy,” understand its objectives and respond accordingly. His remarks were directed at the United States and Israel.
The call comes after months of intense regional tensions. During the conflict, Iran launched attacks against US military facilities in several Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain. The attacks have contributed to strained relations between Tehran and several countries in the region.
Inside Iran, Khamenei also appealed for greater social cohesion. He urged Iranian officials and citizens to avoid allowing political and social differences to deepen at a time when the country is facing significant external pressure.
In another message issued Friday, he had similarly warned against actions that could weaken unity within Iranian society.
Beyond foreign policy, Khamenei also addressed Iran’s struggling economy. He called for a gradual reduction in the country’s dependence on the US dollar and urged greater domestic production as Iran attempts to rebuild economic strength after months of a US naval blockade and years of severe international sanctions.
The economic pressure has had a direct impact on ordinary people, with sanctions and prolonged instability affecting livelihoods and everyday economic conditions.
Khamenei assumed the position of Supreme Leader shortly after his father, Ali Khamenei, was killed at the beginning of the war on February 28. Since his appointment, Mojtaba Khamenei has remained largely out of public view, with Iranian authorities yet to release video or audio of him.
His latest message therefore carries significance beyond its immediate call for regional unity. It offers a rare public indication of the priorities of Iran’s new leadership at a particularly fragile moment for the region.
For millions of people across the Middle East, however, the bigger question remains whether calls for unity and confrontation will help reduce tensions or push the region toward another cycle of conflict. In a region already shaped by war, sanctions and uncertainty, the consequences of Iran’s next moves will likely extend far beyond its borders.