Iran's Khamenei: Gulf States No Longer Shield US Bases Amid War

Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, issued a significant declaration on May 26, 2026, asserting that the Gulf nations would no longer serve as a protective shield for U.S. military bases and that the United States would lose its safe haven in the Middle East region. This statement, conveyed through a written message on his Telegram channel and reported by state media, coincided with the Eid Al-Adha holiday and was also highlighted around 'National Persian Gulf Day,' underscoring Iran's firm stance on regional security and the presence of foreign forces. Khamenei's remarks are set against a backdrop of deeply entrenched and escalating tensions in the Middle East, primarily involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. The long-standing proxy conflict between Israel and Iran escalated dramatically into direct confrontations on June 13, 2025, when Israel launched aerial strikes targeting sites across Iran, citing aims to prevent Iran from acquiring atomic weapons. Iran, which maintains its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, retaliated with missile attacks, leading to a series of tit-for-tat exchanges and intensifying fears of a full-scale regional war. The conflict saw a significant escalation in February 2026, when the United States and Israel jointly attacked Iran, resulting in the death of the previous Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, and targeting critical nuclear and military infrastructure. Following this, Mojtaba Khamenei assumed leadership in March 2026. Notably, he has not made any public appearances since his appointment, choosing instead to communicate through written statements, which has fueled speculation regarding his health following injuries reportedly sustained in the strikes. A fragile ceasefire, mediated partly by Pakistan, took effect on April 8, 2026, and was later extended indefinitely by U.S. President Donald Trump, as both Washington and Tehran engaged in discussions to establish a framework to end the three-month-old war. Despite these diplomatic efforts, the ceasefire has been described as nominal, with both sides continuing to trade strikes over alleged violations and engaging in hostilities. For instance, U.S. forces launched overnight strikes on missile sites in Iran and boats accused of attempting to lay mines in Gulf waters, while Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed to have downed a U.S. drone. In his May 26, 2026 message, Mojtaba Khamenei also extended an invitation to Muslim nations to unite for the 'resolution of Islamic world's problems,' urging them to recognize their 'real enemy' and confront its plans, clearly referring to the United States and Israel. He emphasized that the solution to the challenges faced by Islamic nations lies in unity of words, friendship, and cooperation. This call for solidarity resonated with his broader strategic objective of diminishing U.S. military influence in the Middle East. The regional implications of these developments are profound. During the conflict, Iran directly targeted U.S. military bases across the Middle East, including those in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain, indicating a significant souring of relations with these nations. Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Majed al-Ansari, even remarked on September 7, 2026, that the ongoing war highlighted that Gulf Arab countries should not solely rely on their strategic partnership with the United States for their security. Furthermore, Iran's supreme leader vowed that 90 million Iranians would utilize all capabilities, including nuclear and missile powers, to defend the country, and he explicitly called on Gulf states to distance themselves from the U.S. military presence, which Iran views as a source of vulnerability. The overall situation reflects a highly volatile geopolitical landscape where a direct military conflict has replaced a proxy war, impacting regional stability, energy flows, and international relations. The statements from Iran's leadership underscore a long-term strategy to reshape the regional power dynamics and diminish the perceived threat from the U.S. and Israel, further complicating any prospects for a durable peace settlement.

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