Iran’s Khamenei warns against divisions after ‘enemy’s defeat on battlefield’

DUBAI (TIP): : Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday issued a strong warning against internal divisions and attempts to undermine public morale, saying Iran’s enemies were now turning to “psychological warfare” after suffering what he described as defeat on the battlefield.
Speaking through a message delivered during ceremonies commemorating the death anniversary of Islamic Republic founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Khamenei said hostile powers were attempting to create fear, hopelessness and mistrust within Iranian society in a bid to weaken the country from within.
“After failing to achieve their objectives through confrontation and pressure, the enemies are now trying to spread division, despair and pessimism among the people,” Khamenei said. “Any voice or action that weakens national confidence or creates disappointment among the people serves the interests of the enemy.”
The remarks come at a time of heightened tensions across West Asia, with Iran remaining deeply involved in a volatile regional environment shaped by confrontation with Israel, instability in Lebanon and Syria, and uncertainty surrounding diplomatic negotiations involving the United States and regional powers. Khamenei did not directly name any country in his speech, but Iranian officials have repeatedly accused Israel and Western governments of attempting to destabilise the Islamic Republic through sanctions, political pressure and security operations.
The Iranian leader stressed that maintaining unity among political groups, religious institutions and ordinary citizens was essential for preserving the country’s strength in the face of external threats. He urged Iranians not to allow political disagreements or economic hardships to damage social cohesion. His comments were delivered during annual ceremonies honouring Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, whose death anniversary remains one of the most politically symbolic events in Iran. Thousands of supporters, clerics, officials and members of the Revolutionary Guards gathered in Tehran for the commemoration, where state media heavily focused on themes of resistance, national independence and loyalty to the Islamic Republic.
Iranian state television framed Khamenei’s speech as a warning against foreign-backed attempts to create unrest inside the country. Officials and commentators close to the government argued that Iran’s adversaries had failed to achieve their strategic goals despite months of regional confrontation and were now seeking to influence public opinion through media campaigns and economic pressure.