Iran's hidden Supreme Leader breaks six-month silence to urge Gulf rulers to confront 'real enemy'

Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, unseen in public since being wounded in US-Israeli airstrikes that killed his father six months ago, has issued his first written statement since the Iran war began. Publishing the message on Telegram to mark Islamic Unity Week, he urged Gulf Arab rulers to unite under Islam and confront what he called their "real enemy" — America and Israel. The statement marks a significant re-emergence from the reclusive leader, whose last public appearance preceded the airstrikes that launched the current conflict.

Khamenei asked Gulf rulers whether 'rogues without identity from thousands of kilometres away' would dare covet their lands if Muslims were united.

The message warned that anyone sowing division among Muslims, 'knowingly or unknowingly', ultimately serves the enemies of Islam.

The statement follows a Friday message to Iranians prohibiting conduct that undermines social cohesion and ordering authorities to avoid 'discouraging statements' weakening national morale.