Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has warned the United States that its military presence in the Gulf region will no longer enjoy protection or stability from regional actors.

In a statement shared on Telegram, he said Gulf countries would no longer act as a shield for US military bases, adding that Washington would lose secure operating space across the region.

He said the regional balance has shifted and will not revert to previous conditions, stressing that American forces can no longer rely on indirect protection or political backing from Gulf states.

The remarks come at a time when Iran and the United States are reportedly engaged in discussions aimed at reducing tensions and exploring a possible framework to end months of conflict.

It is one of the strongest recent warnings from the Iranian leadership since Mojtaba Khamenei assumed the role in March following the reported killing of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in US-Israel airstrikes.

Since taking over, he has not made public appearances and has communicated mainly through written statements, with foreign policy messaging focused on deterrence and regional pressure.