US-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Iran says region will 'no longer serve as shields' for American bases after fresh US strikes

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei declared a shift toward a new regional order without US influence, framing the 'axis of resistance'—including Iranian-backed forces in Lebanon—as a counter to American and Israeli dominance. In a statement on his Telegram channel, Khamenei urged Islamic nations to unite and shape the region’s future independently, describing the US and 'Zionist entity' as weakened by recent conflicts. The warning came after Iran vowed a 'far more severe' response to any renewed US strikes, insisting the region would no longer serve as a shield for American military bases. Iranian lawmaker Ebrahim Rezaei reinforced this stance, demanding negotiations with the US only from a position of strength, arguing that concessions would undermine Iran’s strategic leverage. Diplomatic tensions with the UAE intensified as Emirati officials accused Iran of violating international law through alleged 'terrorist attacks' against Gulf countries. Iran countered by claiming the UAE had supported military operations targeting it, citing evidence of regional military cooperation. The exchange underscored deepening hostility between the two nations amid broader Middle East instability. In parallel, Iran’s Foreign Ministry rejected US accusations of escalation, framing its actions as defensive against perceived threats. The escalation follows recent US strikes, which Iran described as provocative and a violation of regional sovereignty. The Supreme Leader’s call for a post-American regional order signals a long-term strategy to reduce US influence in the Middle East through alliances with like-minded Islamic states.