Gulf nations won't be 'safe haven' for US: Khamenei
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei on Tuesday issued a sweeping call for regional realignment, inviting "all Islamic countries to friendship and cooperation" while urging Middle Eastern states to stop hosting foreign military bases, as tensions escalated sharply over renewed American strikes.
In a message posted on his Telegram channel on the eve of Eidul Azha, Khamenei declared that Washington was steadily losing influence across the region and warned that the era of US strategic dominance in the Middle East was drawing to a close.
"The clock cannot be turned back, and the nations and lands of the region will no longer be a shield for American bases," he said, adding that the United States was "moving further and further away from its former position with each passing day."
"From now on, the slogans 'Death to America' and 'Death to Israel' will be the slogans of the Islamic nation and the oppressed people of the world, especially the youth," he said. The United States, he added, "no longer [has] any safe haven in the region for aggression and the establishment of military bases".
The remarks came as Iran accused the United States of violating a tenuous ceasefire after fresh American strikes targeted missile sites and boats alleging that those were involved in mine-laying operations near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor.
Iran's foreign ministry described the attacks as a "gross violation" of the ceasefire that has been in place since April 8, warning that Tehran "will not leave any evil unanswered and will not hesitate to defend the Iranian nation."
Iranian media reported explosions overnight near Bandar Abbas in southern Hormozgan province, close to the Strait of Hormuz, while the Revolutionary Guards claimed they had shot down a US drone and fired on another unmanned aircraft and an F-35 fighter jet entering Iranian airspace.
The United States, however, said the strikes were defensive in nature. US Central Command said its forces targeted missile launch sites and boats attempting to "emplace mines" in Gulf waters, describing the operation as necessary to protect American personnel.
Despite the renewed escalation, diplomatic efforts continued in parallel. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said negotiations in Qatar over a preliminary framework agreement remained active, although he cautioned that reaching consensus on the wording could take time.
"There were some talks going on in Qatar today, so we'll see if we can make progress," Rubio said during a visit to India, adding that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open "one way or the other."
The conflict, which erupted following US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, has severely disrupted global energy flows and triggered volatility across markets. Roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes through the Strait, but shipping has dropped sharply since the outbreak of hostilities.
At the centre of ongoing negotiations in Doha, Iranian officials have reportedly been pressing for the release of frozen assets as part of any initial agreement. Iranian media said Tehran is seeking access to around $24 billion in blocked funds, with about $12 billion expected to be released in an early phase of a deal.
Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati were among senior officials who travelled to Qatar for talks with Qatari leadership on the proposed framework.
According to Iranian sources, the emerging draft agreement would include a halt to military operations across all fronts, a 30-day mechanism to restore limited shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and partial financial relief measures, while more complex issues, including Iran's nuclear programme, would be deferred to later negotiations.
The broader regional situation remained volatile. Iran has insisted that any eventual ceasefire must also address fighting in Lebanon involving Hezbollah and Israel. Israeli forces have reportedly expanded operations in southern Lebanon and issued evacuation warnings for civilians in Nabatieh.
Meanwhile, China, a major importer of Gulf energy, called for restraint and adherence to ceasefire commitments, urging all sides to resolve disputes through dialogue and avoid further escalation.
"We urge the parties concerned to fulfil their ceasefire commitments, resolve disputes through peaceful means and promote the early restoration of peace," Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said in Beijing.
Inside Iran, internet monitoring group Netblocks reported a partial restoration of online connectivity following a nearly 90-day blackout imposed during the conflict, marking a limited easing of internal restrictions amid continuing external tensions.