TEHRAN – Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on Monday Islamic countries are required to secure a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

“Despite enjoying great capacities, the Islamic world has been deprived of the power to defend itself… Islamic nations must take practical steps in this regard and do away with geographical, racial, and sectarian conflicts,” Ayatollah Khamenei told visiting President of the Union of Comoros Ahmad Adbullah Sambi.
He said the enemies have made huge investments to foment discord among Muslims and fuel sectarian violence among Shias and Sunnis.
“Unfortunately some Muslim politicians, intellectuals, and scholars have fallen into this trap but they all should know that the Islamic world can become powerful through unity and practical cooperation.”
He described unity as the “major necessity” for the Islamic world, saying that Islamic world, with its bountiful natural resources, geostrategic importance, and skilled workforce, can turn into a key power.
Turning to Iran’s efforts to access civilian nuclear technology, the Supreme Leader criticized the “Islamic world’s enemies” for opposing Tehran’s “progressive” nuclear program, “although they know that Iran’s nuclear activities are peaceful.”
Sambi, for his part, called for stronger relations with the Islamic Republic, saying the Union of Comoros views Iran’s assistance as essential to its development