Mojtaba Khamenei makes a statement during a Muslim festival and states that North American influence in the region is decreasing.
Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, stated this Tuesday (May 26, 2026) that the Gulf countries will no longer be able to serve as a platform for United States military bases. The statement was released on Iranian state television during the Muslim festival of Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha). Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, has not appeared in public since March 2026, when he was appointed to
“What is clear is that the wheels of time will not turn back and that the countries of the region will no longer serve as a shield for American bases”stated Khamenei. In the document, the supreme leader declared that the United States is losing influence in the Gulf, “with each passing day moving away from the ‘status’ they had”.
The statement was released in the context of ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States to reach an agreement that ends the war that began on February 28, 2026. One has been in force since April 8, 2026.
Mojtaba Khamenei succeeded his father, Ali Khamenei, who died on February 28, 2026 in the first attacks by the United States and Israel. The attacks triggered reprisal attacks from Tehran across the region.
The Revolutionary Guard, Iran’s ideological army, issued a warning “against any violation of the ceasefire by the aggressor army of the United States”. The Guard stated that “considers its right to a reciprocal response legitimate and secure”. This Tuesday (May 26, 2026), the Iranian Revolutionary Guard reported incidents in the country’s airspace. The Guard did not specify when the incidents involving the downed US drone and other aircraft trying to enter the country’s airspace occurred.
The United States Central Command stated on Monday (May 25, 2026) that its forces attacked missile launch sites in southern Iran and vessels trying to lay mines, despite the ceasefire. Iranian state media reported explosions in the port city of Bandar Abbas. The press did not reveal the origin of the explosions. Iran has not officially confirmed the American attack reported by the United States Central Command.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Tehran and Washington have reached understandings on many issues as part of their talks on a deal to end the war. The Ministry warned that an agreement is not yet imminent. Negotiations between Iran and the United States continue to try to reach an agreement that will end the war.
