Khamenei successor warns US must leave Middle East, cautions on Gulf bases and Hormuz

Mojtaba Khamenei has been named Iran's new supreme leader after the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, during the war between Iran, Israel and the United States. Mojtaba had earlier served in Iran's IRGC forces, and is said to have also played a role in the Iran-Iraq war.

Political observers say Mojtaba, who became supreme leader after his father's death, could prove more dangerous for the United States than his predecessor. Mojtaba is rarely seen in public. Some say he was badly injured in an attack during the war and is undergoing treatment, but the Iranian government has repeatedly denied these claims.

The Middle East has seen greater unrest since oil reserves were discovered in the region, driven by a mix of issues and politics. The United States had earlier tied the dollar to gold, and conflict in the Middle East was not as intense during that period. But once the US realised gold could not remain a permanent anchor while oil had no substitute in world politics, it tied the dollar to oil instead, and the petrodollar system in the Middle East began.

At that time the Gulf Arab states had disputes with Iran over several issues. To protect themselves from Iran, these countries gave their land to the US military, which brought America and Iran into direct confrontation.

Iran launched heavy attacks on every country that allowed the US to use its territory to strike Iran. American forces were forced to flee. When US soldiers left their bases and began staying in other areas and hotels, Iran struck those very locations, frightening both the United States and the countries hosting its troops.

Following this, the belief in the Middle East that the US would protect these countries began to weaken, and these countries started quietly discussing striking deals with Iran. It was against this backdrop that Mojtaba Khamenei warned that Middle Eastern countries would no longer serve as a shield for American military bases.

According to Khamenei, the presence of US forces in the Persian Gulf is itself the biggest cause of instability in the region. He said the US would not be allowed greater interference in the region going forward. He said Iran, as well as all other countries of the Middle East, are sovereign and do not need advice or anything else from the United States.

Iran has also taken a firm stance on the Strait of Hormuz. Khamenei challenged foreign military presence in the Gulf region and said Middle Eastern countries should set aside the United States and Israel and work together in unity.