Tehran: Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei urged Iranians on Thursday to "preserve national unity" and "reject divisions" in order to thwart what he described as "enemy attempts" to destabilize the country. In a message marking the 37th anniversary of the death of former Supreme Leader Ruhollah Khomeini, Khamenei emphasized the importance of maintaining cohesion among the public and government officials.

According to Anadolu Agency, Khamenei stated, "The enemy is waging a hybrid war against the country comprising both military and psychological warfare," although he did not explicitly mention the US and Israel. He further remarked, "The enemy has been defeated militarily and is now trying to reverse course by sowing differences and division among the Iranian nation to achieve its sinister goals."

Khamenei highlighted that preserving unity among the Iranian people and state institutions was essential "to thwart the enemy's plots." This call for unity comes at a time of heightened tensions, as this week, the US and Iran exchanged some of their most intense hostilities since their ceasefire took effect in early April. Iran launched missiles and drones targeting US military installations across the region, as well as Kuwait International Airport, resulting in one fatality.

Regional tensions have escalated since late February after the US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran, killing more than 3,000 people. In retaliation, Tehran has targeted Israel and Gulf countries that host US bases, and has closed the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for global shipping.

A Pakistan-brokered ceasefire took effect on April 8, and efforts to reach a broader agreement have continued since then. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that he is very close to signing an end-of-war agreement that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, dismantle Iran's nuclear work, and eliminate the country's stockpile of enriched uranium.