The relations between the US and Iran seem to be improving as both countries are increasingly agreeing over the conditions of the ceasefire even though apprehensions remain.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said on Tuesday that the United States would no longer have “a safe haven” in the Gulf region, warning that regional powers would no longer serve as “a shield” for American military bases.
Khamenei made the remarks in a statement published on his Telegram channel amid ongoing discussions between Tehran and Washington over a framework aimed at ending their three-month-old war.
“Gulf powers will no longer be a shield for American military bases,” Khamenei said, according to the statement. “The United States will no longer have a safe haven in this region.”
The comments mark one of the strongest public statements yet from Iran’s new supreme leader since he assumed power in March following the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in US-‘Israeli’ air strikes.
Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared publicly since taking over the leadership, with most of his statements being released through official channels and social media platforms.
The latest remarks come as diplomatic contacts continue between Iran and the United States to negotiate an end to hostilities that erupted three months ago and have raised fears of a wider regional conflict.
Washington has not immediately responded to Khamenei’s comments.
Tensions across the Gulf have remained high since the outbreak of the Iran-US war, with several countries in the region hosting US military facilities and troops.
Iran’s earlier statement
Tehran on Monday said a final agreement with the United States to end the ongoing West Asia conflict was still not close, despite progress in negotiations.
The statement came after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested during a visit to New Delhi that a deal could possibly be reached soon. His remarks briefly pushed global oil prices lower amid hopes of easing tensions.
