Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has called on Muslim countries, particularly nations in West Asia and the Gulf, to strengthen unity and confront what he described as their “real enemy.” His appeal came in a written message issued on Sunday during Islamic Unity Week, which marks the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad.
Khamenei urged leaders of Muslim nations to set aside divisions and increase cooperation, arguing that disagreements among Islamic countries ultimately benefit their adversaries. He called for greater coordination across areas including security, economic development and other fields of mutual interest.
In his message, Khamenei specifically appealed to Gulf rulers to identify what he considers the forces working against Muslim unity, understand their objectives and respond collectively. He accused the United States and Israel of exploiting political, social, cultural and geographical differences within the Muslim world to deepen divisions.
The Iranian leader also linked his appeal to the situation in Palestine, questioning whether Palestinians would have faced the same level of vulnerability if Muslim nations had remained united. He argued that greater solidarity among Muslim countries could strengthen their ability to protect their interests and respond to external pressure.
Khamenei’s message comes at a particularly tense moment in relations between Iran and several Gulf countries. The wider regional conflict has involved Iran, the United States and Israel, while Iranian attacks have also affected locations in Gulf states hosting US military facilities. The situation has further complicated Tehran’s already difficult relationship with neighbouring Arab monarchies.
The appeal also reflects long-standing political and ideological differences between Iran and Gulf Arab states. Since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, several Gulf monarchies have viewed Tehran’s revolutionary ideology and regional influence with concern.
Khamenei has remained largely out of public view since the conflict began, making the written message one of his most significant public statements since assuming Iran’s top leadership. His appeal for unity therefore carries both a regional and domestic dimension, as Tehran seeks greater cohesion amid continuing military and political tensions.
The message ultimately places Muslim unity at the centre of Khamenei’s regional argument. He called for friendship, cooperation and mutual support among Islamic nations, while urging their leaders to recognise what he sees as external efforts to divide them.
