Iran's security chief, Ali Larijani, published a message in Arabic to Muslims worldwide on Monday afternoon via social media, admonishing Islamic countries in the region for their lack of support for the Iranian regime amid the current war with the US and Israel.
"Except for rare cases and only within the political sphere, no Islamic nation stood alongside the Iranian people," Larijani wrote, adding that despite the lack of support, the "Iranian people have managed to suppress...the enemy."
"Iran is continuing along the path of resistance in confronting the 'Great Satan' and the 'Lesser Satan,' namely America and Israel," Larijani wrote.
He then quoted Al-Kafi, also called The Book of Belief and Unbelief, a Shia Muslim collection of sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, in which the prophet is quoted as saying: “Whoever hears a man calling, ‘O Muslims,’ and does not respond to him is not a Muslim.”
Larijani claimed that other Muslim countries were behaving in a manner contradictory to the teachings of the prophet. "What kind of Islam is this?" he asked.
The security chief also addressed claims that Iran has become an aggressor to Gulf countries, such as Bahrain and Kuwait, because of recent strikes on American interests within their territory.
"Is Iran expected to stand with its hands tied while American bases in your countries are used to attack it?" he wrote.
Larijani framed the current war as being between the US and Israel on one side and "Muslim Iran and the forces of resistance" on the other. "Which side do you stand on?" he asked.
Larijani then called for unity among Muslims worldwide and among Islamic nations, entreating readers to consider the "future of the Islamic world," and reminding Muslims that "Israel is your enemy."
Iran's foreign minister says some neighboring states encourage killing of Iranians
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Monday that some "neighboring states" hosting US forces and allowing attacks on Iran were also actively encouraging the killing of Iranians.
He said hundreds of Iranian civilians, including more than 200 children, had been killed in Israel–US strikes.
"Stances should be promptly clarified," he added in a post on X, which was written in English.
Reuters contributed to this report.