In rare public statement, Khamenei urges unity as Trump signals ceasefire still intact
WASHINGTON, DC: Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Thursday, June 4, urged Iranians to confront what he described as hostile foreign designs with unity and resilience as the country navigates an escalating conflict involving the United States and Israel.
In a lengthy written statement issued to mark the anniversary of the death of the Islamic Republic’s founder, Khamenei called on citizens to remain steadfast and avoid amplifying narratives promoted by Iran’s adversaries.
“In confronting these hostile designs, all members of society must respond with steadfastness, clarity of vision, preservation of unity and cohesion, mutual trust, and by refusing to echo the enemy’s narrative,” the statement said. “In doing so, they can neutralize its malicious aims.”
Questions over supreme leader's public presence
The statement comes at a time when Khamenei has remained largely out of public view despite a conflict widely seen as posing a significant challenge to the Iranian leadership.
Rather than appearing publicly, messages attributed to the 56-year-old cleric have been delivered through state television broadcasts and social media platforms. Earlier this week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he believed Khamenei was alive and becoming more actively involved in decision-making.
“I think there are indications out there that he is increasingly engaging at some level,” Rubio told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Trump says Iranian actions were 'provoked'
President Donald Trump suggested that Iran’s recent attack on Kuwait was partly a response to American military operations against Iranian targets. Speaking at the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump said some observers could view Tehran’s actions as retaliation for earlier US strikes.
“Some people would say they were slightly provoked because we took a strong action for a different reason, so they were reciprocating that,” Trump said.
When asked whether the ceasefire with Iran remained in force following the latest attacks, Trump indicated that the agreement was still holding despite the exchange of strikes.
Ceasefire tested by fresh missile attacks
The United States and Iran exchanged military strikes this week in one of the most significant escalations since a ceasefire was established in April.
Iran launched missiles toward Kuwait and Bahrain early Wednesday after US forces carried out strikes on Iranian territory. Tehran has accused Gulf states of facilitating American military operations by allowing their territory to be used for attacks against Iran.
Despite the latest violence, Washington and Tehran have not formally declared the ceasefire collapsed, leaving diplomatic efforts to prevent a broader regional conflict still in play.
