Iran’s Khamenei Urges Muslim, Gulf Unity Against ‘Real Enemy’

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has called on Muslim countries, particularly Gulf Arab states, to strengthen unity and confront what he described as their “real enemy,” arguing that divisions across the Islamic world benefit its adversaries.

Khamenei’s message was published on his Telegram account during Islamic Unity Week, which commemorates the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. He urged Muslim nations to expand cooperation across multiple areas and support mutual defence against common threats.

According to Khamenei, anyone who contributes to divisions among Muslims, whether intentionally or unintentionally, ultimately serves the interests of Islam’s enemies. He also linked the issue to the Palestinian conflict, questioning whether Palestinians would have been left “so helpless” if Muslim countries had remained united.

Khamenei has not appeared publicly since he was injured in U.S.-Israeli airstrikes six months ago that triggered the current Iran war. The attacks killed his father and predecessor as supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The latest appeal follows comments Khamenei made to Iranians on Friday, when he emphasized the importance of domestic cohesion. He said he had prohibited actions that damage social unity and called on officials to avoid statements that could undermine national morale.

Addressing Gulf Arab rulers directly, Khamenei questioned whether outside forces would have attempted to threaten their territory and assets if Gulf governments and populations had been “united under the flag of Islam.”

Relations between Iran and Gulf Arab monarchies have remained complicated since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution. Gulf governments have historically viewed Tehran’s revolutionary ideology, anti-monarchy rhetoric and regional influence as potential threats to their political systems.

Those tensions have intensified during the current Iran conflict. Tehran has targeted U.S. military facilities and other infrastructure in Gulf states, adding pressure to already strained regional relations.

“My emphatic and repeated recommendation to the rulers of Islamic countries, especially the countries of West Asia and the Gulf, is to identify your real enemy, understand his plan and confront it,” Khamenei said.