During a meeting with Iranian Sunni scholars on Monday, coinciding with the start of Islamic Unity Week and the celebration of Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) birth anniversary, Iranian leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei emphasized the critical role of unity, describing it as a “Quranic principle” crucial for countering the schemes of those who wish harm upon Muslims.

The Iranian leader highlighted attempts by adversaries to incite religious discord within the Muslim world, particularly in Iran.

He added that these ill-wishers are using intellectual, propagandistic, and economic tactics to create division between Shias and Sunnis in Iran and across the Islamic world, aiming to turn them against each other.

Sayyed Khamenei also emphasized that unity is essential for countering these conspiracies, stating, “The issue of unity is not a tactic but a Quranic principle.”

He underscored that the Islamic Ummah’s identity transcends nationality and geographical boundaries, affirming that “the issue of the Islamic Ummah’s identity is a fundamental issue beyond nationality.”

Referring to efforts to make Muslims indifferent to their Islamic identity, he criticized the notion that it is acceptable for a Muslim to ignore the suffering of fellow Muslims in Gaza or elsewhere.

“It is against Islamic teachings that a Muslim be oblivious to the suffering of another Muslim in Gaza or other parts of the world,” Khamenei asserted.

He declared that one of the “definite obligations” is to support the oppressed people of Gaza and Palestine. Khamenei also expressed regret over actions, whether intentional or not, that seek to undermine the unity between Shias and Sunnis.

Muslim unity would prevent Israeli, US crimes in region: Pezeshkian

On August 24, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said "Israel" and the United States "would not dare" commit any crimes in the region had the Muslim nation been united, in a statement condemning the 10-month-long genocide in Gaza. 

Pezeshkian made the comments during a ceremony on Saturday at Imam Khomeini’s shrine in southern Tehran, where he reaffirmed his cabinet's commitment to the principles of the late founder of the Islamic Republic at the start of Administration Week.

Addressing the atrocities committed by "Israel" in Gaza, the Iranian president questioned whether the occupation, the US, Europe, or any other power would have dared to act in this manner had Muslims been united. 

"Would Israel have dared to do a damn thing in this region if Muslims had been united? Not only them, but the US, Europe, and any other power, could they do any of these things?"

It is worth noting that the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza announced on the 346th day of the ongoing Israeli genocidal war on the Strip that the number of martyrs has risen to 41,226, with 95,413 others wounded.