Iran’s Supreme Leader Declares the Region Will Not Shield U.S. Bases

On Tuesday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei declared that countries in the region would no longer act as shields for U.S. military bases. The statement, read on state television, was issued in observance of the Eid al‑Adha holiday.

“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,” Khamenei said. He added that 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.”

The comments come amid ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States aimed at ending the conflict that began on February 28 and has spread across the region. A fragile ceasefire has been in place since April 8.

Iran’s foreign ministry has reported that Tehran and Washington have reached understandings on several issues during the talks, but it cautioned that a final agreement is not yet imminent.

Earlier on Tuesday, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards announced that they had downed a U.S. drone and fired upon other aircraft that were attempting to enter Iranian airspace, although they did not specify the dates of the incidents. The Guards also warned that any violation of the ceasefire by the U.S. military would be met with a legitimate and certain reciprocal response.

On Monday, the U.S. Central Command said its forces had attacked missile sites in southern Iran and boats attempting to lay mines, actions that took place despite the ceasefire. Iran has not officially confirmed the U.S. attack, but state media reported explosions in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, without identifying the source.

Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, succeeded his father Ali Khamenei, who was killed during the initial U.S.–Israel strikes on February 28, which triggered retaliatory attacks by Tehran across the region.

AFP

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