Iran’s Khamenei Urges Gulf Rulers to Confront U.S. and Israel

Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei urged Islamic rulers, particularly in West Asia and along the Persian Gulf, to identify their “true enemy” and confront it. In a message for the Prophet Muhammad’s birth anniversary and Islamic Unity Week, he named the United States and Israel as the “sworn enemies” of Muslim unity. Khamenei argued that regional unity could deter outside powers from coveting the region’s territory and wealth. He also called for Muslim states to cooperate on defense, security, science and development, while arguing that leaving Palestinians undefended would serve adversaries’ interests.