Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Thursday accused the United States and Israel of trying to create division among Iranians following what he described as their “final blow” in the Middle East war. In a written message from Tehran, Khamenei said the “evil enemies” were attempting to plant seeds of doubt, despair, fear, distrust, and division among the people. He urged Iranians to counter these efforts with determination, foresight, unity, and solidarity.

The message was read aloud during a ceremony marking the 37th anniversary of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s death, the founder of Iran’s Islamic Revolution. The 1979 revolution had overthrown US-backed Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. After Khomeini’s death in 1989, Ali Khamenei became Supreme Leader until his death on February 28 this year in a US-Israeli attack that triggered a regional war.

Although a ceasefire was reached on April 8, direct and indirect talks have yet to produce a lasting peace. Mojtaba Khamenei, who took office in March, has rarely appeared in public, addressing the nation mainly through written statements.