Mojtaba Khamenei Says US Middle East Shield Has Collapsed
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei stated that Middle Eastern countries ‘will no longer serve as a shield for US military bases’ in the region. The statement was made by Khamenei on Tuesday (26 May) in a message marking the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage, according to Iran’s state-run news agency IRNA. He also said the US would no longer have ‘safe zones’ in the Middle East, urging Muslim and other regional nations to pursue common interests in establishing a new regional and global order. ‘I sincerely invite all Islamic countries and governments to build friendship and cooperation for mutual interests,’ Khamenei said.
The call comes amid Pakistan-led mediation efforts to end the US-Israel war against Iran, which began on 28 February and triggered Iranian counterattacks. A ceasefire took effect on 8 April and was later extended indefinitely by US President Donald Trump.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is reportedly hiding in a secret location and communicating only via couriers, hindering nuclear talks with Trump. Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi has emerged as a key figure in Iran-US negotiations and Strait of Hormuz military strategy amid uncertainty over Tehran’s leadership.
Assessing Iran’s post-air strike conditions: cost-of-living crisis, Mojtaba Khamenei’s succession, and hopes for Chinese mediation amid tensions. The absence of Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has sparked public speculation and hindered peace talks with the US amid internal factional divisions. US President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran for diplomatic solutions, despite reports of divided leadership in Iran. Iran is the sole entity rendering the US superpower amateurish. Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed US President Donald Trump following his last visit to Beijing nine years ago. Iran’s Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref stated his country is on the brink of a major victory in its conflict with the US amid ongoing negotiations. Crude oil prices rose up to 3% at the start of Friday’s (8 May) trading following new clashes in the US-Iran conflict. US forces reportedly shot two civilian ships on the Oman-Iran route, killing five people amid tensions over Project Freedom operations in the Strait of Hormuz.