The supreme leader of Iran also asked the for the repudiation of oppressors and tyrants who attacked people during the holy month of Ramadan. | Photo Credit: Getty

New Delhi: Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Hosseini Khamenei called for the Muslim world to support people of Kashmir against state 'tyrants'. He has likened the situation in Kashmir with two other conflict-ridden countries - Bahrain and Yemen.

The supreme leader of Iran also asked the for the repudiation of oppressors and tyrants who attacked people during the holy month of Ramadan, in view of the clashes in Kashmir on the occasion of Eid-al-Fitr. But his jibe may have greater implications than what meets the eye.

Muslim world should openly support people of #Bahrain, #Kashmir, #Yemen, etc and repudiate oppressors& tyrants who attacked ppl in #Ramadan. — Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 26, 2017

He indicated that there is a need for the global Islamic community to identify common enemies, which include Saudi Arabia, Sunni Arabs and India.

Khamenei further went on to criticise Israel and stated Palestine’s woes as a reason for a “full-fledged Jihad” against Benjamin Netanyahu’s nation.

"Palestine is the first important issue of the Muslim world. According to Islamic Fiqh (jurisprudence), when an enemy dominates Muslim lands, jihad is the duty of all, in any form possible," he said.

"Today, the fight against the Zionist regime is obligatory for the Muslim world. Why do some abandon this job?" he asked.

It has to be noted that the old Arab versus Israel battle is a thing of the past, but Khamenei’s statements clearly highlight that he wants to revive the Muslim-Jew issue.

However, the Middle Eastern countries have a lot on their plate, with daily attacks by Islamist groups, resulting in the flagging of the Palestine cause.

At this moment of time, Iran is part of a bigger sectional war under way in West Asia, Khamenei expressed, referring to Yemen and Bahrain. He further went on to say that Yemen and Bahrain are territories Iran would like to bring into confidence, to strengthen its position in the midst of a hotchpotch of terror across the region.

While Khamenei’s direct reference to Kashmir has left many wondering, the jibe could be due to a number of things; it could be due to New Delhi’s increasing ties with Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh. Historically, Iran has enjoyed a friendly relation with India, but with Riyadh taking over the spotlight could be a matter of concern to Iran.

Considering the recent tussle between Tehran and Delhi over a gas field discovered byIndian companies there, and an apparent slowdown of signature projects such expansion of Chabahar Port, there are chances that Riyadh may become the new destination of trade in the Middle East.

Another reason for Khamenei’s comment of Kashmir may be due to PM Modi’s forthcoming visit to Israel, which has clearly not gone down well with Tehran. Narendra Modi is set to visit Israel for the first time and meet with Netanyahu on July 4 for a three-day meet.

The prime minister is set to step foot on Dutch land today, and it will be the final leg of his three-nation tour. During his US visit, the two global leaders had a productive meet in the White House.

The duo praised each other for extending support towards bilateral causes and vowed to fight terrorism together.