Tehran: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian urged national unity and warned against attempts to undermine internal cohesion during a surprise appearance at a meeting with merchants and trade guild representatives, Iranian media reported on Thursday.

According to Anadolu Agency, Pezeshkian's call came after a recent meeting with Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei that lasted nearly two and a half hours. The president emphasized the importance of unity and cohesion for the nation's endurance, recounting his discussions with the Supreme Leader as highly humane, sincere, and humble.

Pezeshkian highlighted the challenges posed by external forces, suggesting that adversaries expected internal unrest due to ongoing conflicts. He accused unnamed enemies of seeking to fracture Iran, likening their actions to piracy.

Acknowledging the economic difficulties facing Iran, Pezeshkian noted that inflation and rising prices are global issues, exacerbated by Iran's involvement in regional conflicts. He stressed the need for national solidarity, urging acceptance of differing views to avoid surrendering to foreign pressures.

The president's remarks come amidst heightened regional tensions following strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran on February 28, which led to retaliatory actions from Tehran and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. A ceasefire took effect on April 8 through Pakistani mediation, but subsequent talks in Islamabad failed to secure a lasting peace. The truce was later extended by US President Donald Trump without a set deadline.

Since April 13, the United States has enforced a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime traffic in the strategic waterway, further intensifying the regional standoff.