Iran's New Leader Calls for Muslim Unity Against Israel, US
Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, urged Muslim nations to unite against Israel and the United States, labeling them as enemies of the Islamic world. In a letter to religious leaders attending a conference in Tehran, Khamenei advised them to "recognize your true enemy, understand its plans, and confront it." He stated that Israel and the US pose a threat not only to Iran but to all Islamic countries.
Khamenei's remarks followed a US military strike on Iranian rocket launchers on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, July 17, 2026. This marked the first US military action against Iran in about a month. Washington described the strike as a "limited and precise operation" targeting Iranian forces allegedly laying naval mines. Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps reported casualties among its fighters and Iranian civilians.
In response, Iran launched missiles toward American sites in Jordan. Jordanian state television announced the interception of eight missiles that entered its airspace early Monday. Tehran's state television released footage it claimed showed ballistic missile launches.
The call for unity comes amid deep divisions between Iran and Arab nations, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict. Since the conflict began, Tehran has attacked targets in Gulf states and restricted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, increasing regional tensions. Iran also continues to oppose the US military presence in the Middle East.
Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed Supreme Leader after his father, Ali Khamenei, was killed in a joint Israeli-US strike approximately six months ago. He has not yet appeared publicly since taking office, and his recent call was delivered via letter rather than a televised address.
