LONDON, United Kingdom - Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called on Islamic nations to unite against the US and Israel, insisting that the Muslim congregation of Hajj should serve as a political platform.

Khamenei highlighted "fragmentation" among Islamic countries, saying it has been utilized by the United States and Israel to impose their "greed-based interests". 

"The current tragedies in Gaza and Palestine would not be happening, and Yemen would not be under such pressure if Islamic nations stood in unity," he said, addressing a meeting of Iran's Hajj Organization officials in Tehran on Saturday. 

The Iranian leader argued that the Hajj must be viewed in light of an event for Islamic unity, progress, and synergy. He insisted that the ritual is "in essence a political gathering with a political form and composition." 

Shortly before Khamenei's speech, the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen launched a fresh missile strike against Israel in continuation of their campaign to side with Gaza in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. 

The Israeli military said it was reviewing the attack, confirming that the Houthi missile had landed near Ben-Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. 

The Islamic Republic has long been accused of funding and arming the Houthis—a wing of its regional network of proxies fighting Israeli and American interests in the region.

Tehran denies supporting the Houthis, claiming that the group acts "independently."

Only on Thursday, the United States issued a stern message to Tehran to halt backing for the rebel group. 

"We see your lethal support to the Houthis. We know exactly what you are doing," said Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in an X post. He noted that the Iranian side knows very well the US military's capabilities. 

"You will pay the CONSEQUENCE at the time and place of our choosing," he warned.