Gulf Nations Won’t Be Safe Haven for US Bases: Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei Warns

Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned that West Asia and the Gulf would no longer shield American military bases, as regional tensions shift and the annual Hajj pilgrimage begins. Khamenei also urged Muslim unity, while United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio pressed Iran over maritime access near the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking as pilgrims gathered for Hajj, Mojtaba Khamenei declared that regional countries would not host American forces as before. In parallel, Rubio insisted that navigation through the Strait of Hormuz must remain free from Iranian tolls, while also outlining conditions for any possible peace deal with Iran.

Iran, West Asia tensions and American bases

Khamenei delivered a strongly worded message on X, stating, "The hand of time does not turn back, and the nations and lands of the region will no longer serve as shields for American bases. America will no longer have a safe haven for mischief and the establishment of military bases in the region." The remarks targeted United States security arrangements across West Asia.

An earlier Al Jazeera report, quoting the Council on Foreign Relations, outlined how the United States maintains extensive military infrastructure across West Asia and the Gulf. According to that assessment, American forces run permanent and temporary facilities in at least 19 locations, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, the UAE and Qatar, underscoring the regional scale of these deployments around Iran.

Strait of Hormuz, Iran talks and US concerns

Rubio criticised Iran's reported toll demands for vessels using the Strait of Hormuz, calling such actions unacceptable under international norms. Rubio said the Strait of Hormuz should be "open without tolls" and "no country in the world is accepting of a tolling system except Iran." The comments highlighted United States concerns over energy routes.

Expanding on that point, Rubio added, "The strait needs to be open without tolls. What is happening there is unlawful, illegal, unsustainable and unacceptable. No country in the world is accepting of a tolling system except Iran." The statements came as Washington and Tehran continue discussions aimed at a possible peace agreement.

On the broader diplomatic track with Iran, Rubio referred to contacts led by United States President Donald Trump. Rubio said, "The President (Donald Trump) had a historic call with a number of leaders from the region, and I think there is a strong alignment and agreement on what a preliminary draft should look like. It will take a couple of days to settle on...Either there is going to be a good deal, or there isn't going to be one".

Khamenei, meanwhile, used the Hajj address to call for solidarity among pilgrims and Islamic nations, sharply criticising both the United States and Israel. Khamenei urged believers to pray for "the liberation of Palestine and Al-Aqsa Mosque, the alleviation of the great hardships afflicting Muslims, and the attainment of ultimate victory against global arrogance." The appeal linked spiritual duties with regional political struggles involving Iran.

Highlighting shared interests among Islamic societies, Khamenei argued that regional cooperation could reshape future politics. Khamenei said that Islamic states and nations hold many common capacities and benefits, which would influence "the future geometry of the region and the world." The comments reflected Iran's view that West Asia and the Gulf are entering a new strategic phase.

With inputs from ANI