Iran's Supreme Leader: Middle East No Longer a Shield for US Bases

Istanbul (ANTARA) - Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said Middle Eastern countries ‘will no longer serve as a shield for US military bases’ in the region. The statement was made on Tuesday (26 May) in a message marking the peak of the Hajj pilgrimage, according to Iran’s state news agency IRNA. He also stated that the United States will no longer have a ‘safe zone’ in the Middle East. He called on Muslim nations and other countries in the region to champion shared interests in forming a new regional and global order. ‘I sincerely invite all Islamic countries and governments to foster friendship and cooperation for mutual benefit,’ Mojtaba said. The call comes amid Pakistan-led mediation efforts to end US-Israel hostilities against Iran that began on 28 February and triggered retaliatory strikes from Iran. A ceasefire began on 8 April and was extended indefinitely by US President Donald Trump.