Long-standing sectarian tensions between Sunni and Shia Muslims have once again come into sharp focus following explosive remarks by Lebanese Sunni cleric Sheikh Hassan Moraib, who strongly condemned Iran's late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and his regional allies.
Speaking in a widely circulated interview translated by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), Moraib rejected descriptions of Khamenei as a "martyr," instead accusing him of orchestrating the deaths of countless Sunni Muslims across the Middle East through Iran's support for allied militant groups and proxy forces.
According to the cleric, "Khamenei is not a martyr—he is a murderer who killed more Sunnis than Israel killed in Gaza." He further declared that Sunnis have "the right to seek revenge against him and his followers," reflecting the intensity of sectarian grievances that have shaped conflicts across Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen for decades.
Moraib also praised Syria's interim leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, claiming he had "crushed the skulls of all those bigshots" and restored Damascus to Sunni control after years of civil war and Iranian-backed influence. The remarks underscore how the political and military struggles across the Middle East remain deeply intertwined with religious identity and competing regional powers.
The comments come amid heightened regional tensions following the death of Ayatollah Khamenei during the recent Iran-Israel conflict, an event that triggered widespread mourning among many Shia communities while also prompting celebrations and criticism from some opponents of the Iranian regime. Analysts note that reactions to his death exposed stark divisions not only between Iran and Israel but also within the broader Muslim world itself.
For decades, Iran has positioned itself as the leading power of Shia Islam, supporting groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, various militias in Iraq, the Syrian government during the civil war, and the Houthi movement in Yemen. While Tehran describes these alliances as part of an "Axis of Resistance" against Israel and Western influence, critics—including many Sunni religious leaders and governments—argue that Iran has fuelled sectarian violence and contributed significantly to instability throughout the region.
The Sunni-Shia divide predates modern geopolitics by more than 1,300 years, originating from disagreements over leadership succession after the death of the Prophet Muhammad. Although many Sunni and Shia communities coexist peacefully around the world, political rivalries have often transformed theological differences into violent conflicts, particularly in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.
Lebanon itself remains one of the clearest examples of these sectarian complexities. The country is home to significant Sunni, Shia, and Christian populations, with political power divided among religious communities. Hezbollah, backed by Iran, enjoys strong support among many Lebanese Shias but has also faced criticism from some Sunnis and even sections of the Shia community over its military activities and regional agenda.
Moraib's remarks have reignited debate over the extent to which internal Muslim sectarian rivalries continue to shape Middle Eastern politics independently of the Arab-Israeli conflict. His comments also highlight that disagreements within the Muslim world are often rooted in competing religious, political, and geopolitical interests that extend far beyond relations with Israel.
While the cleric's statements have attracted significant attention online, they represent his personal views and should not be interpreted as reflecting the beliefs of all Sunni Muslims. Religious scholars and political leaders from both Sunni and Shia traditions have repeatedly called for dialogue and coexistence to reduce sectarian violence and prevent further escalation across the region.
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