Iran’s leader called for unity in the confrontation with the US – Israel

In a message read at the anniversary of the death of late leader Ruhollah Khomeini today, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei affirmed that Iran “has dealt a decisive blow to the enemy, causing them to experience deep and heavy shame.”

However, he warned that there are activities “sowing doubt, despair, fear, causing distrust and division” in Iran.

“To deal with this plot, all people must respond with steadfastness, clear vision, maintain solidarity, trust each other and not repeat the opponent’s arguments. That will neutralize all the enemy’s sinister plots,” he said.

Leader Khamenei has not appeared in public since taking office, his speeches are all read on television or at ceremonies.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier this week confirmed that Mr. Mojtaba Khamenei is still alive and “increasingly participating in politics”. CNN Citing US intelligence reports, he assessed that he played an important role in shaping combat strategies along with senior Iranian officials.

Mr. Khamenei’s message was published while the US and Iran have not yet reached an agreement to end hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The two sides also clashed many times during nearly two months of ceasefire, although the situation did not escalate into full-blown war.

The US and Iran also gave conflicting messages, with Tehran emphasizing that it must meet the conditions they set to achieve progress. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump continued to express optimism and said that “a deal could come by the end of the week”.

The US demands that Iran hand over its highly enriched uranium, limit its nuclear activities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Iran claims to have the right to enrich uranium, and sets a mandatory condition for the agreement that is ending the conflict in Lebanon.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned on June 3 that any Israeli attack on the Lebanese capital Beirut “will re-ignite a full-blown conflict on a larger scale”.

In a vote on June 3, the US House of Representatives passed a resolution requiring the US military to stop its campaign against Iran. However, this document is mainly symbolic, because Mr. Trump can veto it even if it is passed by the US Senate.