Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei released a written statement on Sunday urging Gulf rulers to “identify their real enemy and understand the plans to confront it.”
Khamenei’s message, issued in commemoration of Islam’s Prophet Mohammed, called for “unity among Muslims” and mutual defense against their enemies.
Iran’s leader hasn’t been seen for months since he got caught up in the opening strikes of the last Israel-Iran war, where his father and predecessor, Ali Khamenei, was killed.
According to Israeli and American assessments, Mojtaba Khamenei, though severely wounded, survived the attack and currently rules the country.
“The Muslims’ unity in the face of the world’s disbelief is a Quranic strategy and a basic teaching of the pure Islam of Prophet Mohammed, not a superficial or transient matter,” Khamenei wrote in his statement.
Araghchi pushes for diplomacy
Last Tuesday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi published a message saying that “Iran’s commitment to peace and stability is matched by steadfast diplomacy with our neighbors.”
The Iranian official has been meeting with several representatives from neighboring nations, notably Oman and Pakistan, in a new push for regional diplomacy.
“In talks with Pakistani and Omani guests, regional solutions were stressed. A proposed framework for a new corridor, joint mine-clearing, and future management of Hormuz is a case in point,” Araghchi wrote.
Later on Friday, the Iranian foreign minister said that he had met Qatar’s foreign minister and that “putting diplomacy back on track isn’t impossible.”
“It hinges on the United States understanding of one simple fact: Pressure doesn’t work. The US should build trust, speak respectfully, acknowledge our rights, and uphold commitments,” Araghchi said.