Tantan – Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has called for national unity and resilience as the US-Israel war against Iran intensifies.
Khamenei said in a message marking the Persian New Year that the coming year should focus on building a “resistance economy” under the principles of national unity and security. He stressed that Iran’s enemies miscalculated, expecting the Iranian people to rise against the government after early attacks, but instead, a “strange unity” has emerged among citizens.
Khamenei also spoke about the importance of economic resilience during wartime and emphasized that national security remains a top priority. He addressed the Iranian public directly, noting the conversations happening in the streets and assuring citizens that their voices are being heard. Analysts say the speech is meant to reinforce his leadership image amid rumors about his health.
The war has intensified across the Middle East in recent days. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reported strikes on targets in Israel, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, while Israel has conducted airstrikes on multiple Iranian military sites, including Tehran and locations east of the capital.
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The Israeli military has also targeted sites in southern Lebanon, causing widespread casualties and displacements, including over 1,000 killed since March 2.
Meanwhile, the Gulf region is facing heightened tensions as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait report repeated drone and missile attacks. QatarEnergy warned that Iranian strikes on its Ras Laffan plant could delay its North Field gas expansion by more than a year.
Russia expressed concern that attacks on Iranian ports risk a wider regional escalation. China urged France to work jointly towards dialogue and negotiation to resolve the crisis, while the European Union reaffirmed support for the United Arab Emirates amid Iranian attacks.
The US has deployed additional troops and military assets to the Middle East, and President Donald Trump criticized NATO allies for what he described as insufficient support in the conflict. Analysts note that Iran is using both military and economic strategies, including disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, to adapt to the overwhelming power of US and Israeli forces.