Khamenei Urges Islamic Nations to Unite Amid Iran-US Tensions

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has called on Gulf and other Islamic countries to unite and confront what he described as their “real enemy,” as tensions over the Strait of Hormuz remain high.

In a message released on Sunday to mark the birthday of Prophet Muhammad, Khamenei urged the rulers of Islamic countries, particularly those in the Gulf and West Asia, to understand the plans of their opponents and confront them.

The statement comes amid an ongoing standoff over the Strait of Hormuz, a major global shipping route through which around 20 percent of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passed before the war.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Iran and Oman had reached an understanding on a temporary maritime route. However, he said implementation would depend on the United States fulfilling its commitments under an agreement reached in June.

Gharibabadi maintained that the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and that ships attempting to pass through it must coordinate with Iran.

Meanwhile, Qatar and Pakistan have stepped up diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions. Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, recently visited Tehran for discussions on de-escalation and restoring shipping through the strait.

Shipping activity through Hormuz remains significantly below normal. According to Reuters, citing Kpler data, only seven commodity vessels crossed the strait on Thursday, compared with 17 the previous day and a 10-day average of 15.

The International Maritime Organization also said that as many as 400 ships carrying about 6,000 seafarers have been unable to safely leave the Gulf since the war began.

Iran is also facing growing economic pressure. Annual inflation reportedly reached 66 percent last month, while President Masoud Pezeshkian said imports and exports had fallen by nearly 35 percent due to US sanctions and the naval blockade.

Despite the pressure, Iran has shown no indication that it will abandon its position on the Strait of Hormuz. Pezeshkian has instead called for the revival of the interim agreement reached with Washington in June.

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