Addressing the participants in the 32^nd International Islamic Unity Conference in Tehran on Sunday, Ayatollah Khamenei said the sensitivity of the US to the Middle East is due to the rise of Islam and Islamic awakening which is threatening arrogant powers.

"That the world's arrogant powers and at the top of them the criminal America and the Great Satan are sensitive to Western Asia is due to a spirit of reception of Islam and Islamic awakening among the regional nations," he said.

"Anywhere that Islam has dominated the hearts and minds of the people, the arrogance has been slapped, and we seriously believe that the arrogance will be slapped again from the Islamic awakening in this region," the Leader added.

Ayatollah Khamenei urged thinkers and religious scholars to "strengthen the Islamic awakening and resistance movement in the region as much as they can, because the only way for the salvation of the region is to spread this spirit and thinking."

The Leader also addressed certain rulers of the Islamic states, saying, "Our advice to you is to return to the rule of Islam and come under the authority of Allah because the rule of America and Satan will not benefit you."

Ayatollah Khamenei cited Saudi Arabia and its allies which have become the target of insults by President Donald Trump, saying the US leader's remarks are an insult to all Muslims.

"America, based on its arrogant nature, is humiliating these countries and, as everyone has seen, the foolish talking president of the United States, has likened Saudi rulers to milk cows."

Without naming Saudi Arabia and other Persian Gulf Arab states, the Leader also touched on the kingdom's aggression against Yemen and its efforts to forge ties with Israel, Press TV reported.

"Certain rulers of the Islamic countries have allied with America in the twin criminal acts in Palestine and Yemen but the victory will definitely be with the Palestinian and Yemeni nations and America and its followers will be defeated."

Ayatollah Khamenei said the United States and Israel are now much weaker than before, saying their "desperation, foolish accusations and cruel and criminal acts" are due to the resistance of Muslim nations "which will bear fruit."

He also hailed the resistance of the Iranian nation for the past 40 years despite all the hardships and pressures, saying new US threats and sanctions against the country are doomed to failure.

"The United States and the Zionist regime are dead wrong to threaten the Iranian people," Ayatollah Khamenei said.

"Thanks to its resistance and belief in Gold and divine promises, the Iranian nation stood firm as a rock against all conspiracies. Today, the Islamic establishment and the Iranian nation is a good tree that grows day by day on its development and ability, and this is a prescription for progress for the world of Islam."

The Leader stressed the significance of uniting around the light of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) by Muslims to overcome challenges in the world.

"At a time when the world was immersed in the darkness of ignorance and deceit, God bestowed upon the entire mankind the light of the Prophet Muhammad. Also today if we follow this light, it will lead us to prosperity and salvation," he said.

"If humanity achieves the maturity to accept the Prophet’s invitation, all of its calamity will be resolved," Ayatollah Khamenei added.

The Leader said the world today is in darkness as a result of the oppression practiced by the domineering powers.

"Today, humanity is encountered with afflictions. This is not only the case in the Muslim world, rather countries that are apparently developed are also suffering from afflictions," he said, adding Islam can fulfill all these needs.