Iran’s Mojtaba Khamenei urges Muslim unity, calls for Gulf nations to stand together

Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has called on Muslim nations, particularly those in the Gulf region, to stand united against what he identifies as their "true adversary". Speaking on Islamic Unity Week, which commemorates the Prophet Muhammad's birthday, Khamenei emphasized the dangers of divisions among Muslims, stating that anyone, consciously or unconsciously, fostering such divisions is aiding their enemies.

He questioned whether the Palestinians would remain "so helpless" if Muslims had remained united. Khamenei's plea follows an incident six months ago where he was reportedly injured in US-Israeli air strikes, which claimed his father and predecessor's life. This latest call for unity echoes his earlier message on August 28, where he prohibited actions that could harm social cohesion and cautioned against statements that could weaken national and public morale.

Specifically, Khamenei addressed Gulf Arab rulers, questioning whether "rogues without identity" would have had the audacity to covet their lands and possessions if the Gulf countries had been "united under the banner of Islam". Historically, Gulf Arab monarchies have viewed Iran's revolutionary ideology, including its anti-monarchic stance and regional dominance, as a threat to their governance.

Tensions between Iran and its Gulf neighbors have escalated during the ongoing conflict, with Tehran targeting US military installations and infrastructure in the Gulf states. Khamenei urged Gulf leaders to identify their real enemy, understand their plans, and confront them.