Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued a written message on August 30 calling on Muslim countries, particularly those in the Gulf, to unite against what he described as their “real enemy” — the United States and Israel — and warned that divisions among Muslims serve the interests of their adversaries.
The message was published on Khamenei’s Telegram account during Islamic Unity Week, which marks the birthday of Prophet Muhammad. It called for Muslim unity, cooperation in various fields, and mutual defense, saying that anyone who creates divisions among Muslims, “knowingly or unknowingly,” helps Islam’s enemies.
Khamenei specifically asked Gulf Arab rulers whether “rogues without identity” would have dared to covet their lands and possessions if the peoples and governments of the Gulf had been “united under the flag of Islam.” He also questioned whether Palestinians would have been left “so helpless” if Muslims had been united, framing the Palestinian issue as a consequence of Islamic disunity.
The Supreme Leader has not been seen in public since being severely injured in US-Israeli airstrikes six months ago on February 28, 2026, that killed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the previous Supreme Leader. Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed to succeed his father in early March 2026 and has communicated through written statements rather than public appearances since his injuries.
His call for Muslim unity echoes a statement he made on Friday to Iranians, in which he said he had banned actions that harm social cohesion and urged authorities to avoid “discouraging statements” that weaken national and public morale. The emphasis on internal unity and regional solidarity reflects Iran’s efforts to consolidate support during an ongoing regional conflict.
The message carries particular weight given the historical tensions between Iran and Gulf Arab monarchies. Since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, Gulf Arab states have viewed Iran’s revolutionary ideology — including its anti-monarchic rhetoric and regional influence — as a direct threat to their political systems. During the present conflict, Tehran has struck U.S. military facilities as well as infrastructure in Gulf states, underscoring the deep tensions between Iran and its Gulf neighbors.
Khamenei’s emphasis on confronting the “real enemy” appears designed to redirect attention away from internal divisions and toward external adversaries. His statement called on Islamic countries to strengthen cooperation in security, science, economic development, and other spheres — areas where Iran has faced isolation due to international sanctions and regional conflict.
Sources
- Reuters — Khamenei’s written message calling for Muslim unity against the US and Israel during Islamic Unity Week, details of his injuries and absence from public view, and historical context on Gulf Arab tensions with Iran.
- Al Jazeera — Khamenei’s call for Gulf unity amid Hormuz tensions and stalled diplomacy.
- NBC News — Khamenei’s message urging Muslim countries to unite against the US and Israel.
- The New Arab — Confirmation that the message was issued six months into the ongoing conflict.
