Iran's President Says Supreme Leader Urged Unity in Seven-Hour Talks

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has revealed details of an extensive meeting with the country's supreme leader, saying the discussion focused on economic hardships and the need for national cohesion. In an interview aired on state television, Pezeshkian described the session with Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei as lasting approximately seven hours.

The president said the talks covered "people's livelihoods, the state of the market, employment, people's housing," along with difficulties arising from U.S. sanctions. He did not specify when or where the meeting took place.

Pezeshkian emphasized that the supreme leader's central message was about unity. "All of the enemy's plans are aimed at creating division," the president said. "What we have to do is prevent divisions from emerging."

He added that while internal disagreements are natural, Iran must present a unified front externally. "Outside, a single voice, a single tune, must be heard by the world," Pezeshkian stated, "so that they know our Iranian people stand together in defense of their independence, pride, dignity, and beliefs."

This is reportedly only the second known meeting between the two leaders since Khamenei assumed the role in March, following a U.S.-Israeli strike that killed his predecessor. The supreme leader, believed to have been wounded in the same attack, has not made any public appearances since then.