The Supreme Leader of Iran, Mojtaba Khamenei, warned the US that countries in the Middle East will no longer “be a shield for American bases”.
Khamenei said: “The hands of the clock will not turn back, and the nations and countries of the region will no longer be a shield for American bases. America will no longer have a safe point for mischief and the establishment of military bases in the region.”
Khamenei has not appeared in public since being appointed to replace his father, Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a joint US-Israeli strike on the first day of Operation Epic Fury, on February 28. He is believed to have been injured during US strikes, and he has anot recorded a video or audio message as he reportedly does not want to appear vulnerable. Instead, he has previously released several written statements that have been posted online and read on state television.
Capt. Tim Hawkins, spokesperson for the US Central Command, said the action was taken “to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces”. Mr Trump recently said negotiations with Iran were “proceeding nicely” but gave no indication a deal was imminent, despite earlier this week reports said a draft peace deal was expected.
Yesterday (Monday, 26 May), Mr Trump also said it should be mandatory for countries including Qatar, Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan and Turkey to join the Abraham Accords, part of a broader settlement, as Washington tries to negotiate a deal to end the war in Iran.
Last week, Iran has threatened the US with “devastation” and warned that Tehran has “rebuilt” its military capability during the ceasefire saying its “armed forces have rebuilt themselves during the ceasefire”.
As the US carried out “self-defense strikes,” explosions were eeported in Iran’s Bandar Abbas city.
