Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei warned on Tuesday that the United States would no longer enjoy a “safe haven” in the Gulf, after fresh US strikes inside Iran despite an ongoing ceasefire.
In a message shared on Telegram, Khamenei said countries in the Gulf region would no longer act as a shield for American military bases. He called on Muslim nations to unite and build a new regional order that moves beyond US influence.
His remarks came after the US military confirmed it had carried out strikes in southern Iran, describing them as defensive actions aimed at protecting its forces from Iranian threats. The targets reportedly included boats suspected of laying naval mines and missile launch sites in Hormozgan province.
Iran strongly condemned the strikes, accusing Washington of violating the ceasefire that has been in place since early April. Officials said explosions were heard near the port city of Bandar Abbas and warned that the US would be held responsible for the consequences.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had the right to respond and claimed it shot down a US MQ-9 drone while confronting other aircraft near its airspace.
At the same time, tensions remain high across the region. Talks are ongoing in Doha, where Iranian officials are meeting with Qatari leaders to explore a possible agreement with the United States. The discussions include reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which about 20 percent of the world’s oil passes.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a deal could take days but stressed that the strait must reopen “one way or another.” He added that Washington is giving diplomacy a chance, though other options remain on the table.
Iran has denied seeking nuclear weapons but remains under pressure over its enriched uranium stockpile, a key issue in the negotiations.
Meanwhile, Qatar rejected reports that it had offered Iran financial incentives to secure a deal, calling such claims baseless.
The broader conflict continues to ripple across the Middle East. Israel has stepped up strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon, despite a separate ceasefire, raising fears of further escalation.
With shipping through the Strait of Hormuz sharply reduced and global oil prices affected, the situation remains fragile, as diplomacy and military action move forward side by side. __Photo courtesy Press tv
