Trump Claims 'Division in Iran'... Mojtaba Calls Media Operation 'Malicious Intent'

Iran's new leader Mojtaba Khamenei and the Iranian leadership have issued messages urging internal unity. This message comes as U.S. President Donald Trump continues to make comments regarding Iran, following his announcement of a ceasefire extension while citing "serious divisions in Iran."

Iran's new leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Photo by EPA Yonhap News

원본보기 아이콘

According to Iran's state-run IRNA news agency on the 23rd (local time), Mojtaba Khamenei stated on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that "the enemy's media operations are clearly intended to undermine internal unity and shake national security by directly targeting the public's psychological state." He emphasized, "We must never allow such malicious intentions to come to fruition through carelessness or complacency." He added, "The remarkable unity that has formed among the Iranian people has created cracks within the enemy. Iran's cohesion has become stronger and as solid as steel. In the end, the enemy will suffer humiliation and disgrace."

On the same day, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also wrote on X, "There are no hardliners or moderates in Iran. We are all Iranians and revolutionaries." He further stated, "Through the ironclad unity of the people and government and absolute obedience to the Supreme Leader of the Revolution, we will make the criminal forces that persist in aggression deeply regret their actions."

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also wrote on X, "The failure of Israel's terrorist-like killings reflects how united Iran's state institutions are, operating with clear objectives and strict discipline." He continued, "The battlefield and diplomacy are two perfectly coordinated fronts within a single war," stressing, "the Iranian people are more powerfully united now than ever before."

Previously, President Trump announced a ceasefire proposal on the 22nd after the second round of peace talks scheduled to be held in Pakistan collapsed due to Iran's decision not to participate. He claimed that the Iranian government is "seriously divided" and said he would give the Iranian leadership "time to prepare a unified proposal." Iran's side immediately pushed back, calling this a "unilateral announcement."

On the same day, President Trump again raised the issue of Iran's division on Truth Social, stating, "Iran is in a 'completely locked-down state' until it is able to negotiate!!" He also remarked, "Iran is having tremendous difficulty figuring out who their leader is right now!” He pointed out, "The internal fighting is happening between 'hardliners,' who are being severely defeated on the battlefield, and 'moderates,' who are not moderate at all (but are gaining respect!), and the situation is completely crazy!"

Meanwhile, on this day, Iranian state media reported that hostile aerial activity was detected in Tehran for the first time since the ceasefire with the United States, and air defense systems were activated. The state-run IRNA reported that the sound of air defense missiles being launched was heard in both eastern and western parts of Tehran that evening. Mehr News Agency reported that air defense systems were activated in several locations in the capital Tehran to intercept hostile targets. However, there have been no reports yet on the identity of the targets engaged by the air defense network or any specific damage.

Earlier, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that preparations for resuming war with Iran had been completed and that Israel was awaiting U.S. approval. However, the Israeli side has stated that it has not attacked Iran to date. An Israeli security official told the Times of Israel, "Israel did not strike Iran."

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.