Iran's Khamenei says Middle East 'will no longer be a shield for American bases'
Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said the nations of the Middle East "will no longer be a shield for American bases" and that Washington will no longer have a "safe haven" in the region. He called on Muslim nations to pursue shared interests for shaping a new regional and global order.
Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said Tuesday that the nations of the Middle East "will no longer be a shield for American bases" and that Washington will no longer have a "safe haven" in the region. Khamenei's remarks came in a statement issued to mark the climax of the Islamic Hajj pilgrimage, according to the state-run IRNA news agency.
Call for cooperation
He called on Muslim nations and other countries of the region "to pursue shared interests" for shaping a new regional and global order. "I sincerely invite all Islamic countries and governments to friendship and cooperation for the common good," he added.
Ceasefire context
The call comes amid Pakistan-led mediation efforts to end the US-Israeli war on Iran that started on Feb. 28, inviting retaliatory attacks from Tehran. A ceasefire took effect on April 8 and was later extended by President Trump indefinitely. Talks between the two sides continue, with Secretary of State Rubio saying an agreement could take "a couple days" to finalize.
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Regional realignment
Khamenei's statement reflects Iran's broader strategic objective of reducing US military influence in the Middle East. The region has seen heightened tensions since the war began, with Gulf states facing Iranian retaliatory strikes and the Strait of Hormuz largely closed to commercial shipping.
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