Mojtaba Khamenei Sends Eid al-Fitr Greetings Amid Iran-Israel Conflict
Tehran – Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, extended greetings for Eid al-Fitr to Muslims worldwide, a message delivered amidst ongoing conflict between the Islamic Republic and the United States, and Israel. The message, released on , comes as Iran navigates a period of heightened tensions and military engagements.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Khamenei noted the convergence of spiritual and natural springs, with Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha coinciding this year. He extended his congratulations to all Iranian citizens on both religious and national holidays, and to Muslims globally on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr.
“I congratulate all Muslims around the world on the opportunity to celebrate Eid al-Fitr,” Khamenei wrote.
The Supreme Leader’s message also included expressions of condolences and sympathy to families and victims of recent conflicts. He specifically mentioned those lost in the war with Israel, the thwarted January coup attempt, the ongoing conflict with the US and Israel, and those killed in security operations along Iran’s borders.
“In the past year, our people have experienced three military and security wars,” Khamenei stated. “The first was the June war, when the Zionist enemy, with the special assistance of the United States and amidst negotiations, killed around 1,000 of our citizens.”
This reference alludes to a series of escalating tensions and strikes that began in February , following the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a joint US-Israeli military campaign. Mojtaba Khamenei was swiftly appointed as the new Supreme Leader following his father’s assassination.
In a separate statement read on Iranian television on , Khamenei asserted that Iran’s enemies were being “defeated” due to the unity displayed by the Iranian people. He emphasized that this unity transcended religious, intellectual, cultural, and political differences.
“At the moment, due to the particular unity that has been created between you, our compatriots – despite all the differences in religious, intellectual, cultural and political origins – the enemy has been defeated,” he said.
Khamenei accused the US and Israel of miscalculating the Iranian people’s response to the assassination of his father and the subsequent attacks. He claimed they believed that the deaths of key figures would instill fear and despair, leading to the overthrow of the government and the eventual dismemberment of Iran. He characterized this as a “gross miscalculation.”
The Supreme Leader’s message further stated that the war was launched under the “delusion” that the martyrdom of prominent figures would create fear and despair, paving the way for domination and fragmentation of Iran.
Since assuming the position of Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei has maintained a low public profile, communicating primarily through written statements. He has not yet made any public appearances or delivered speeches. This contrasts sharply with his father, who was a visible and vocal figurehead for decades.
Prior to his father’s death, Mojtaba Khamenei was largely seen as a behind-the-scenes influence within the Iranian regime. US diplomatic cables, leaked by WikiLeaks in the late 2000s, described him as a “capable and forceful” figure, often referred to as “the power behind the robes.” Still, he has never held formal government office.
His appointment as Supreme Leader has raised questions about the Islamic Republic’s founding principles, which emphasize religious standing and proven leadership as qualifications for the position, rather than hereditary succession. Some within Iran’s Assembly of Experts, the body responsible for selecting the Supreme Leader, had reportedly expressed reservations about a dynastic succession, though his father never publicly addressed such speculation.
Born on , in Mashhad, Mojtaba Khamenei is the second of Ali Khamenei’s six children. He served in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps during the Iran-Iraq War in the late 1980s and has held various positions within the Iranian security apparatus, including a de facto role overseeing the Basij militia and intelligence organizations.
The timing of Khamenei’s Eid al-Fitr message underscores the complex geopolitical landscape facing Iran. The country continues to grapple with the fallout from the assassination of its former Supreme Leader, ongoing military tensions with the US and Israel, and internal challenges related to economic sanctions and political stability. The message serves as a reaffirmation of Iran’s resilience and determination to resist external pressures, while also appealing for national unity in the face of adversity.