Iran supreme leader urges Muslim unity against US, Israel

Iran's supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei called on Muslim countries in the region to unite against the United States and Israel in a written message issued Sunday, six months after the start of the Middle East war.

Khamenei has been in power since his father Ali Khamenei was killed at the start of the war on February 28. He has not been seen in public since his appointment, and authorities have not released video or audio of him.

“The solution to the problems of the Islamic nations is unity of words, friendship, and cooperation on the path of goodness,” Khamenei said as Shia Muslims marked the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed, according to his official website.

He urged rulers of regional countries to “recognise your real enemy, understand its plan, and confront it,” referring to the United States and Israel.

During the war, Iran targeted US military bases across the Middle East, including in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain. Relations with those countries have since soured.

Khamenei, who has the final say on major Iranian state policies, also called on Iranian officials and citizens to put aside differences and come together against Israel and the United States.

He made a similar appeal in a Friday message, saying that anything harmful to social cohesion was prohibited. He also called Friday for the gradual de-dollarisation of Iran's economy and for higher economic production after months of a US naval blockade and years of sanctions.