Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei Says Middle East No Longer a Shield for US Bases

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei stated that countries in the Middle East will no longer serve as a shield for US military bases, in a written statement broadcast by Iranian state television on Tuesday, 26 May 2026.

‘It is certain that time will not turn back, and the nations and regions in the area will no longer function as a shield for American bases,’ Khamenei said in a message marking Eid al-Adha, according to AFP.

He added that the United States ‘no longer has a safe place in the region for aggression and establishing military bases, and is moving further away from its previous position daily.’

The statement comes as Iran and the United States continue dialogue aimed at reaching an agreement to end the war that began on 28 February, which has spread across the region.

A fragile ceasefire has been in effect since 8 April.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Tehran and Washington have reached consensus on many issues in negotiations for a peace deal. However, the ministry also warned that an agreement is not imminent.

On Tuesday, 26 May, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said they had shot down a US drone and another attempting to enter the country’s airspace, without specifying when the incident occurred.

In a statement, the Revolutionary Guard further warned that ‘any violation of the ceasefire by the aggressive US military will be met with a legitimate and certain retaliatory response.’

Earlier on Monday, 25 June, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces struck missile sites in southern Iran and vessels attempting to lay mines, despite the ceasefire.

Iranian authorities have not officially confirmed the US strike, but state media reported explosions in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas without citing sources.