Mojtaba Khamenei Calls US Bases ‘Paper Tigers’, Says Persian Gulf’s Future Will Be ‘Without America’
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Friday (May 1) dismissed US military bases in the region as “paper tigers” incapable of securing themselves, let alone the countries he described as regional nations that “worship” America. The remarks came as the US continues its blockade of Iranian ports amid the ongoing conflict, with tensions over the Strait of Hormuz showing no sign of easing.
“America’s paper tiger bases can’t even secure themselves, let alone the regional American-worshippers,” Khamenei wrote in a post on X.
In a separate post, he addressed the significance of the Persian Gulf directly. “The Persian Gulf is a blessing that transcends a mere expanse of blue waters; it is a part of our identity and civilization, a point of connection between nations, and a vital pathway for the global economy,” he wrote.
‘American Aliens’ Are the Source of Regional Insecurity
In a wider statement, Khamenei said the presence of American forces in the Gulf was the primary driver of instability in the region. “The presence of American aliens and their nesting in the lands of the Persian Gulf is the most important factor of insecurity in the region, and America’s illusory bases lack even the ability to ensure their own security, let alone any hope that America could provide security for the region’s dependents and Americanophiles,” he said.
He went on to outline Tehran’s vision for the region’s future. “By the grace and power of God, the bright future of the Persian Gulf region will be one without America, serving the progress, comfort, and welfare of its nations,” he added.
A Day After Persian Gulf Day Warning
Friday’s remarks follow a statement issued by Khamenei on National Persian Gulf Day, in which he warned the United States that a “new chapter” for the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz is taking shape. He had said Tehran would secure the waterway and eliminate what he called “the enemy’s abuses” of it.