Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei urges Gulf rulers to confront 'real enemy'

File photo: A woman walks next to a banner with a picture of Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei in Tehran (Reuters photo)

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei on Sunday urged Gulf rulers to identify their “real enemy”, understand its plans and confront it, according to a written message published on his Telegram account. The message, issued to mark the birthday of Islam's Prophet Muhammad, also called for unity, mutual defence against “enemies” and cooperation among Muslims worldwide, Reuters reported.

Khamenei remains out of public view

Khamenei has not been seen in public since he was injured in US-Israeli airstrikes six months ago that launched the war and killed his father, former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His health and whereabouts have remained the subject of speculation in recent months. A video released earlier this month showed archival footage of Mojtaba Khamenei participating in a religious academic discussion with clerics. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had dismissed speculation about Khamenei's health, saying earlier this month that he was “completely healthy”, according to Iran's ISNA news agency.

Message comes amid war and economic pressure

The latest message comes as Iran continues to face the economic impact of the war with the US and sanctions imposed by Washington. In a written statement attributed to Khamenei on Saturday, Iran's supreme leader called on the government to address economic and livelihood challenges, including inflation, unemployment and the management of prices and markets. “There is a need to seriously address the chain of economic and livelihood challenges, such as inflation, unemployment, management of prices and the market for goods and services,” he said. Iranian leaders have also maintained that Tehran would continue to pursue both diplomacy and defence. In a statement on Saturday, the Iranian government described diplomacy and defence as “two complementary, coordinated and inseparable wings” for protecting the country's national interests, security and territorial integrity. Diplomatic efforts have continued alongside the conflict. Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met Iranian leaders in Tehran on Thursday, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi described the discussions as “creative”. Khamenei's latest written message comes amid these continuing diplomatic efforts and his prolonged absence from public appearances.