Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has blamed the presence of US military forces in the Middle East for the region’s ongoing instability. He made the remarks amid escalating tensions and reciprocal attacks between Iran, Israel, and the United States. Khamenei stated that the presence of foreign forces in the Persian Gulf is the main cause of insecurity in the region.

He described US military installations as “puppet bases” lacking the strength to ensure their own safety, let alone protect pro-American allies in the area. According to Khamenei, foreign intervention continues to fuel regional unrest and dependency. His comments were seen as a call for Middle Eastern nations to reduce reliance on the United States.

The statement, reported by Al Jazeera, comes as regional powers engage in diplomatic and military maneuvers, including discussions on security in Riyadh and ongoing conflicts involving Israel and Gaza.