Iran's Supreme Leader has repeated accusations that the United States and other Western powers pit Muslims against each other to create conflict among them.
In an address to the 7th Summit of Ahlul Bayt, a religious organization of his own creation, in Tehran on Saturday, Khamenei accused Western powers, which he usually refers to as ‘arrogant powers’, of trying to sow discord in the Muslim world. The aging cleric said the “Great Satan”, the United States, orchestrates plans for war and conflict between Shia and Sunni Muslims, Arabs and non-Arabs, among Shias, and among Sunnis.
In his speech Khamenei also claimed that the Islamic Republic is not biased in matters such as the differences between the Shia and Sunni and Arab and non-Arab and seeks the unity of all Islamic countries.
Sunnis in the region would take issue with Khamenei’s claim, as they Iran creates and arms Shiite militant groups in Iraq, Yemen, Syria and Lebanon to expand its power and influence.
Iran’s ruler said Shia Muslims take great pride in standing up against “the seven headed monster of arrogance” (Western world powers), and defeating their plans, adding that they “interfere in the affairs of other countries, governments, and nations in a cruel and tyrannical manner.”
However, Khamenei did not comment on ongoing nuclear talks with the US. He has been silent on the topic for the past few months as negotiations have continued and reached a sensitive stage.
The Islamic Republic from its inception in 1979 has been led by anti-Western clerics, somewhat supported by leftist and pro-Russian political elements, who in the very first year took dozens of US embassy staff hostage for 444 days. Khamenei has faithfully continued this policy calling for the demise of Israel, the United States and Western Europe.
Iran’s encouragement of other nations “to stand up against world powers’ bullying” is the main reason for tensions with the Islamic Republic. “Neutralizing the criminal plots of the United States in other countries, of which the creation of Daesh (ISIS) is an example, has triggered an intense Iranophobia and Shiaphobia campaigns and accusations that Iran meddles in the affairs of other nations,” he said while denying any such interference by the Islamic Republic.
Describing the flag of the Islamic Republic as the “same flag as the flag of Ahl-ul-Bayt and prophets”, Khamenei also told the participants that the Islamic Republic has “hoisted the banner of justice and spirituality” and is the standard bearer in the war against “arrogance and dominion [of Western powers]”.
The website of Ahlul Bayt World Assembly which was founded in 1990 by Khameneiclaims it is “an international non-governmental organization (NGO)” established by “a group of Shiite elites under the supervision of the great Islamic authority of the Shiites in 1990” to identify, organize, educate and support the followers of Ahlul Bayt (those who believe in Prophet Muhammed and his household). “It is natural that the arrogant powers will oppose such a system,” he said.
Like several other entities often referred to as nongovernmental organizations and charities which are under Khamenei’s supervision and control, the Assembly is generally known as a propaganda arm of the regime and supporter of militant groups in the region, for its anti-Israeli campaigns, as well as activities aimed at exporting Iran’s Islamic revolution.
The summit of the assembly is being held in Tehran and northeastern religious city of Mashhad. According to the event’s organizers. Guests from more than 110 countries have attended the summit.