In a written message marking the Prophet Mohammed’s birthday, Khamenei called on regional rulers to identify their “real enemy” and confront its plans while urging Iranians to preserve national unity.
August 30, 2026 — Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has called on Muslim countries across the region to close ranks against the United States and Israel, issuing his latest message as Tehran seeks to consolidate regional support six months after the outbreak of the Middle East war.
Khamenei, who assumed Iran’s highest office shortly after his father, Ali Khamenei, was killed at the start of the war on February 28, has yet to make a public appearance. Iranian authorities have also released no video or audio recording of the new supreme leader since his appointment.
In a written message issued on Sunday as Shia Muslims marked the birthday of Prophet Mohammed, Khamenei said Muslim countries could overcome their problems through “unity of words, friendship, and cooperation on the path of goodness”.
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei touched upon the importance of Muslim unity, calling on Islamic countries to recognize their real enemy.
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He warned that anyone whose actions contribute to divisions within the Muslim world, whether deliberately or otherwise, ultimately serves the interests of what he described as the enemies of Islam.
The supreme leader specifically urged regional governments to identify and confront what he called their “real enemy”, referring to the United States and Israel.
“Recognise your real enemy, understand its plan, and confront it,” he told the rulers of regional countries, according to his official website.
His appeal comes after a period of heightened tensions between Iran and several Arab states following the conflict. During the war, Iran launched attacks on US military installations in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain. Relations between Tehran and several of those countries have subsequently deteriorated.
Khamenei also directed his message inward, calling on Iran’s political leadership and population to put aside internal differences and preserve national unity in the face of external pressure.
“I again advise the Iranian people not to allow any differences to arise among themselves in any way,” he said, repeating a theme from a message issued on Friday.
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In that earlier statement, Khamenei said actions that undermine social cohesion were prohibited and called for greater economic self-reliance.
He also urged the gradual reduction of Iran’s dependence on the US dollar and called for increased domestic production to support economic growth.
The economic message comes as Iran continues to contend with the effects of years of US sanctions and months of a naval blockade, which have placed additional pressure on the economy and household livelihoods.
Khamenei’s latest statement therefore combines two themes central to Tehran’s post-war messaging: regional unity against the United States and Israel, and domestic cohesion in the face of economic and political pressure.
His continued absence from public view, however, remains a striking feature of his leadership. Six months after assuming the position of supreme leader, his public presence remains limited to written statements released through official channels.
