File photo: A woman walks next to a banner with a picture of Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei in Tehran (Reuters photo)
Message comes amid war and economic pressure
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei on Sunday urged Gulf rulers to identify their “real enemy”, understand its plans and confront it, according to a written message published on his Telegram account. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had dismissed speculation about Khamenei’s health, saying earlier this month that he was “completely healthy”, according to Iran’s ISNA news agency. “There is a need to seriously address the chain of economic and livelihood challenges, such as inflation, unemployment, management of prices and the market for goods and services,” he said. In a statement on Saturday, the Iranian government described diplomacy and defence as “two complementary, coordinated and inseparable wings” for protecting the country’s national interests, security and territorial integrity. Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met Iranian leaders in Tehran on Thursday, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi described the discussions as “creative”.
Diplomatic efforts have continued alongside the conflict. In a written statement attributed to Khamenei on Saturday, Iran’s supreme leader called on the government to address economic and livelihood challenges, including inflation, unemployment and the management of prices and markets.