"The enemies of Islam and Muslims want to create discord among Muslims in the world ... so having unity is the most important need of the Islamic world," he said in a meeting with state officials.

Iran is at odds with the West over its nuclear program which Washington and its allies fear could allow it to acquire atomic weapons, something Tehran says it does not intend to do.

"Bullying powers, America and Britain are fully aware that disunity and discord among Muslim can deviate the Muslims' public opinion from the important issue of Palestine," he said.

"The occupation of the holy land of Palestine and the endless brutality of the Zionist regime toward innocent Palestinian people is a big wound in the body of the Islamic world," Khamenei said, calling Israel a "dangerous and fatal cancer.”

Parts of the speech were carried on state television.