“Iran's leader accuses US of driving Middle East insecurity, defends Iran’s military capabilities The Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has accused the United States of driving instability across the Middle East, linking regional tensions to Washington’s military footprint and its joint war with Israel against Iran. In a statement, he said “it has been proven … that the presence of American foreigners and their nesting in the lands of the Persian Gulf is the most important factor in insecurity in the region”. He also criticised US bases in the region, saying: “America’s puppet bases do not even have the strength and capacity to ensure their own security, let alone that there is any hope that America will provide security to its dependents and American-loving people in the region.” The comments come as tensions remain high following US-Israel attacks on Iran, which have triggered retaliatory moves by Tehran. Khamenei also signalled that Iran will protect its military capabilities, pushing back against calls by US President Donald Trump to dismantle them. He said Iranians see their nuclear and missile programmes “as their national capital and will guard them like water, land and air borders”.
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