Mojtaba Khamenei Emerges, Officially Issues Decree Regarding US-Iran War
The Supreme Leader of Iran, Mojtaba Khamenei, ‘emerged’ on Thursday (4/6/2026), issuing a written message containing a call to the Iranian people. Mojtaba Khamenei stated that the United States is working hard to sow seeds of division among the Iranian populace, alleging a ‘secret strategy’ by opponents intended to undermine the nation’s internal stability.
‘The evil enemy is attempting to plant seeds of doubt, despair, fear, mistrust, and division among the people,’ Khamenei wrote in his letter. He subsequently called for a movement of national solidarity across all levels of society, urging citizens to work together to thwart this secret agenda. ‘In facing these malicious intentions, everyone must, through steadfastness and insight, maintain unity and cohesion… to neutralise their evil plots,’ he continued.
The firm statement from Iran’s third Supreme Leader was read aloud by a prayer leader at the tomb of the founder of the Iranian Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, to mark the 37th anniversary of his death. The 1979 revolution is known to have successfully overthrown the power of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who was fully supported by the United States, thereby ending the dynastic era in the country.
Following the death of Khomeini in 1989, the highest position was succeeded by Ali Khamenei as Supreme Leader. Ali Khamenei was killed on 28 February this year in a joint US and Israeli attack, which triggered the outbreak of a large-scale regional war. This devastating armed conflict was temporarily halted through a ceasefire agreement on 8 April, followed by a series of direct and mediated negotiations aimed at achieving permanent peace. However, the diplomatic process has so far failed to reach a mutual agreement.
Since 1989, the late Ali Khamenei routinely delivered annual live speeches during every commemorative ceremony held on 4 June. Based on video recordings broadcast live from the burial site on Thursday, a different atmosphere was observed, where an empty chair adorned with a portrait of the late leader was placed within the tomb complex.
Mojtaba Khamenei, who has now officially ascended the throne to replace his late father, has reportedly remained out of the public eye since his election in March. The new leader has thus far communicated and issued directives to the Iranian people exclusively through written statements. Despite the new leader’s physical absence, his portrait remains displayed alongside those of the two previous Supreme Leaders within the tomb complex located in southern Tehran. During the live-broadcast ceremony, attendees were seen waving the official flags of the Islamic Republic of Iran alongside large banners of the Lebanese group Hezbollah, which is heavily supported by Tehran.
The Iranian government remains steadfast in its diplomatic stance, insisting that any peace agreement with the US to end the war must be comprehensive. Tehran demands an end to hostilities throughout the Middle East, including in Lebanon, where Hezbollah militants continue to launch a series of resistance attacks against Israel as a tangible show of support for Iran’s defence.