Middle East nations 'will no longer be shield' for US bases, Iran's supreme leader says - Anadolu Ajansı

Around 26 May 2026, Iran's supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei said Middle East nations would 'no longer be shields' for US bases. Euronews describes it as a statement after a period of silence, in which he vowed no US military bases in the region. Express Tribune says he said the US will no longer have a 'safe haven' in the Gulf after fresh strikes on Tehran.

Gulf states braced for Iran's response as US strikes shook peace talks, according to Euronews. Haaretz says Gulf states cannot rely on Trump's US and may be forced into alliances with Iran.