Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, says regional countries will no longer act as “shields” for US military bases, according to statements reported by multiple outlets. The remarks are attributed to a written statement carried by Iranian state television.
The comments come amid ongoing exchanges between Iran and the United States aimed at reaching a deal related to the broader conflict that began on Feb 28. Several reports frame the statement as a sign of heightened tensions and a shift in how Iran describes the role of nearby states in relation to US forces.
SBS News adds that the statement is issued after the US confirms it carried out missile strikes on Iranian missile sites and boats. Other outlets focus more directly on the “no longer serve as shields” message and the diplomatic efforts underway between Tehran and Washington.
The reports do not provide further detail in the excerpts on what specific actions Iran intends to take following the statement.
