TEHRAN: Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has accused the United States and Israel of attempting to create divisions within Iranian society following what he described as their failure in the recent regional conflict.
In a written statement released on Thursday, Khamenei said Iran’s adversaries were seeking to undermine national unity by spreading uncertainty, fear, and mistrust among the public after suffering a significant setback during the war.
“The enemy is trying to sow doubt, hopelessness, anxiety, and division among the people,” the message stated, urging Iranians to remain united and vigilant against what he called hostile efforts to weaken the country from within.
The statement was read aloud by a prayer leader at the mausoleum of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, founder of Iran’s Islamic Republic, during ceremonies marking the 37th anniversary of his death.
The 1979 Islamic Revolution, led by Khomeini, overthrew the US-backed Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and established the current political system in Iran.
Following the death of Ali Khamenei during US and Israeli attacks earlier this year, Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen as the country’s new supreme leader in March. Since assuming the role, he has largely stayed out of the public spotlight, communicating through written messages.
State television footage from the commemoration showed portraits of Mojtaba Khamenei alongside those of Ruhollah Khomeini and Ali Khamenei at the Tehran mausoleum. Supporters attending the event carried Iranian flags as well as banners associated with Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement.
The regional conflict ended with a ceasefire agreement on April 8, but subsequent negotiations aimed at securing a lasting settlement have yet to produce a breakthrough. Iran has maintained that any comprehensive deal with Washington must also address broader regional tensions, including the situation in Lebanon.
