Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei purportedly called on Iranians to face the war with the United States and Israel with national unity, in a lengthy written statement that commemorates the death of the Islamic Republic’s founder.
“In confronting these hostile designs, all members of society must respond with steadfastness, clarity of vision, preservation of unity and cohesion, mutual trust, and by refusing to echo the enemy’s narrative,” Khamenei said in the statement. “In doing so, they can neutralize its malicious aims.”
In the midst of a conflict seen as posing an existential threat to the regime that has ruled their country for nearly half a century, Khamenei has been conspicuously absent. Instead, statements attributed to the 56-year-old cleric have been read out on national television or posted on social media.
Earlier this week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he believes Khamenei is alive and is “increasingly engaging.”
“I think there are indications out there that he is increasingly engaging at some level,” Rubio told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
CNN has reported that US intelligence assesses Khamenei is playing a critical role in shaping war strategy alongside senior Iranian officials.
