Iran Supreme Leader Calls for Unity Among Muslim Countries

Motorbikes drive past a billboard depicting Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, center, handing the country's flag to his son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, right, as the late revolutionary founder Khomeini stands at left, in a square in downtown Tehran, Iran, March 10, 2026. (AP)
Motorbikes drive past a billboard depicting Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, center, handing the country's flag to his son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, right, as the late revolutionary founder Khomeini stands at left, in a square in downtown Tehran, Iran, March 10, 2026. (AP)
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Iran Supreme Leader Calls for Unity Among Muslim Countries

Motorbikes drive past a billboard depicting Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, center, handing the country's flag to his son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, right, as the late revolutionary founder Khomeini stands at left, in a square in downtown Tehran, Iran, March 10, 2026. (AP)
Motorbikes drive past a billboard depicting Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, center, handing the country's flag to his son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, right, as the late revolutionary founder Khomeini stands at left, in a square in downtown Tehran, Iran, March 10, 2026. (AP)

Iran's supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Sunday called on Muslim countries in the region to unite against the United States and Israel, in a written message issued six months on from the start of the Middle East war.

Khamenei, in power since shortly after his father Ali Khamenei was killed at the start of the war on February 28, has yet to be seen in public since his appointment, and authorities have not released any video or audio of him.

"The solution to the problems of the Islamic nations is unity of words, friendship, and cooperation on the path of goodness," he said Sunday.

"Anyone, in any position, who does anything that leads to division among Muslims and creates conflict in the Muslim community, knowingly or unknowingly, intentionally or unintentionally, has served the purpose of the enemies of Islam," he added, according to his official website.

During the war, Iran struck countries across the Middle East, claiming it was targeting US military bases, while the attacks struck civilian and energy facilities.

Relations with those nations have since soured.

Khamenei, who has the final say on major state policies, also called on Iranian officials and citizens to put aside differences and come together against Israel and the United States.

"Again, this servant's advice to the Iranian people is to not allow any differences to arise among themselves in any way," he said, echoing remarks made in another statement on Friday.

"I firmly declare that doing anything detrimental to social cohesion is prohibited," he had said in Friday's message.

He also called Friday for the gradual de-dollarization of the Iranian economy and for boosting economic production to support growth following months of a US naval blockade and years of crippling sanctions that have hit livelihoods.



North Korea Says it Tested Submarine-Launched Cruise Missiles

People watch a TV broadcasting a news report on North Korea firing multiple ballistic missiles toward the sea off its east coast, at a railway station in Seoul, South Korea, October 12, 2026. (Reuters)
People watch a TV broadcasting a news report on North Korea firing multiple ballistic missiles toward the sea off its east coast, at a railway station in Seoul, South Korea, October 12, 2026. (Reuters)
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North Korea Says it Tested Submarine-Launched Cruise Missiles

People watch a TV broadcasting a news report on North Korea firing multiple ballistic missiles toward the sea off its east coast, at a railway station in Seoul, South Korea, October 12, 2026. (Reuters)
People watch a TV broadcasting a news report on North Korea firing multiple ballistic missiles toward the sea off its east coast, at a railway station in Seoul, South Korea, October 12, 2026. (Reuters)

North Korea said it had tested two types of submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles on Wednesday to verify navy mission capabilities and reliability of war deterrents, state media ‌reported on Thursday.

Senior ‌military officers ‌observed the ⁠tests conducted in ⁠the sea off the North's east coast, KCNA said. It gave no further details of the missiles or the launch ⁠other than the test ‌had ‌no adverse impact on the security ‌of neighboring countries.

North Korea ‌has pushed ahead with modern missile submarines and both ballistic and cruise missile developments, test-launching them ‌from various platforms including an ageing submarine.

It is ⁠not ⁠yet believed to have launched a modern missile submarine in full operation. This is a top military priority of the country's leader Kim Jong Un, who has overseen the development of a range of strategic ballistic and cruise missiles.


Container Ship Sinks Near Hormuz after Being Hit by Projectile

Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz near the beach of Bandar Abbas, Iran, October 13, 2026. Razieh Poudat/ISNA/via WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz near the beach of Bandar Abbas, Iran, October 13, 2026. Razieh Poudat/ISNA/via WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
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Container Ship Sinks Near Hormuz after Being Hit by Projectile

Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz near the beach of Bandar Abbas, Iran, October 13, 2026. Razieh Poudat/ISNA/via WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz near the beach of Bandar Abbas, Iran, October 13, 2026. Razieh Poudat/ISNA/via WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS

A container ship has sunk near the Strait of Hormuz after being hit by a projectile, while a separate dry bulk carrier damaged in an earlier attack is also reported to be sinking, maritime security sources said on Wednesday.

The Singapore-flagged GFS Pride container ship, with a small 2,824 TEU (20-ft equivalent unit) capacity, had sunk, the sources said.

"Commercial vessel 'GFS PRIDE' reported sunk with floating containers ... mariners cautioned," the Hydrographer of Pakistan said in a navigational warning to ships dated October 14.

The loss of the GFS Pride marks the second vessel to sink since the US-Iran war began on February 28, according to data from UN shipping agency, the International Maritime Organization.

Iran is deploying new tactics to target ships sailing through the Strait of Hormuz as it seeks to keep oil prices high and influence the US midterm elections, two senior Iranian officials told Reuters.

In a separate incident, the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged Cape Dao was reported to be sinking close to the strait after being struck by a projectile on September 23, the sources added.

"The Antigua & Barbuda flagged bulk carrier CAPE DAO, originally hit on the 23 September, is reported to be sinking after an unsuccessful rescue attempt," British maritime risk management group Vanguard said in a note on Wednesday.


Iran Says Cargo Ship Sank after Hitting Naval Mine

The Chinese-flagged container shipping vessel Hui Fa transits the Gulf of Oman on October 13, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
The Chinese-flagged container shipping vessel Hui Fa transits the Gulf of Oman on October 13, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
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Iran Says Cargo Ship Sank after Hitting Naval Mine

The Chinese-flagged container shipping vessel Hui Fa transits the Gulf of Oman on October 13, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
The Chinese-flagged container shipping vessel Hui Fa transits the Gulf of Oman on October 13, 2026. (Photo by AFP)

A cargo ship has sunk after hitting a naval mine in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps navy said. It was the first time Iran has reported a ship sinking after hitting a mine during the war.

There were few details, including about the fate of the crew. State TV quoted a Guard statement as saying that the ship was traveling on what it called an illegal and dangerous route when it hit the mine Wednesday morning.

It said the ship was carrying 2,500 containers when it first caught fire.

Iran has repeatedly warned ships against trying to transit the strait without its approval.

The US military has been guiding ships through the strait on a route off Oman on the far side.

There was no immediate verification of the sinking and no report by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations monitor.