Iran’s new Supreme Leader has warned Gulf Arab countries against hosting U.S. military bases, saying reliance on American protection is “nothing more than a lie” as the conflict in the Middle East continues to widen.
In remarks broadcast by Iranian media, Mojtaba Khamenei cautioned Gulf governments that allowing U.S. forces to operate from their territories could expose them to retaliation.
Khamenei said Iran would “not refrain from avenging the blood” of Iranians killed during the ongoing war, which began after the US–Israeli strike on Iran 2026.
His comments targeted Gulf states that host American military facilities, a network of bases used by the United States to support operations across the Middle East.
Several countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council host U.S. troops or military infrastructure, including major air bases and naval facilities that serve as strategic hubs for Washington’s regional presence.
Khamenei argued that the idea of U.S. protection for Gulf states was “nothing more than a lie,” urging governments in the region to reconsider their security partnerships with Washington.
The warning came amid escalating tensions between Iran and a U.S.-aligned coalition in the region, with the conflict expanding beyond direct confrontation between Tehran and Israel to affect several Middle Eastern countries.
Regional analysts say the statement reflects Tehran’s growing pressure on Gulf governments to distance themselves from the United States as the war enters a more volatile phase.
The remarks also highlight the risk that the conflict could draw additional countries into the confrontation, particularly those hosting American forces or providing logistical support for U.S. operations in the region.
