Tehran , August 6 : Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday (local time) said 'hostile powers' had sought to destabilise and topple the Islamic Republic, but the country's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had ensured that Iran remained united and resilient in the face of external pressure. "Enemies tried to topple the Islamic Republic, but the country's new Leader kept Iran united and strong...Enemies sought to replicate Syria's fate for Iran through wars and sanctions," Pezeshkian said, adding that the resilience and determination of the Iranian people had foiled those plans. His remarks come amid heightened regional tensions and diplomatic activity involving Iran and the United States. The remarks come against the backdrop of months of heightened tensions in West Asia following the conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. The crisis was further compounded by the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, an event that led to the appointment of a new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.