Gulf nations will no longer protect US bases, Iran's supreme leader says

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei declared Tuesday that regional nations will cease acting as shields for U.S. military bases. In a written statement broadcast on state television, Khamenei asserted that "the nations and lands of the region will no longer serve as shields for American bases." He added that the U.S. is progressively losing its standing in the region and has no safe havens for aggression.

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What is certain in this regard is that the hands of time will not turn backwards, and the nations and lands of the region will no longer serve as shields for American bases.

These pronouncements coincide with ongoing diplomatic efforts between Iran and the United States to broker a deal ending a regional conflict that erupted on February 28. A fragile ceasefire has been in effect since April 8, with Iran's foreign ministry indicating that understandings have been reached on many issues, though a final agreement remains elusive.

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the United States “in addition to no longer having any safe haven in the region for aggression and the establishment of military bases, is moving further and further away from its former position with each passing day”.

Adding to the tensions, Iran's Revolutionary Guards reported downing a U.S. drone and firing at other aircraft that allegedly attempted to enter Iranian airspace. The Guards issued a warning, asserting their right to reciprocal action against any ceasefire violations by the U.S. military. This follows a U.S. Central Command report of attacks on missile sites and boats in southern Iran, despite the existing ceasefire. State media in Iran acknowledged reports of explosions in Bandar Abbas, though the source was not officially confirmed.

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against any violation of the ceasefire by the aggressor US military and considers its right to reciprocal response legitimate and certain.