The ceasefire between Iran and the US is hanging by a thread.

13:08, Tue, May 26, 2026 Updated: 14:01, Tue, May 26, 2026

IRAN-POLITICS-KHAMENEI

Mojtaba Khamenei (Image: Getty)

Iran's Supreme Leader has warned that “death to America” and “death to Israel” will “continue to be the slogans of the Islamic Ummah" in a chilling warning to the West.

Mojtaba Khamenei also warned that Israel will not exist in 15 years. He added: “The region will not return to past conditions, and Washington will no longer have a safe place to maintain military bases in the region.”

Get the latest news from around the world and more Invalid email

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

He also recently said that countries in the region would no longer be able to act like "shields" for U.S. bases, in his latest state television message

"What is certain in this regard is that the hands of time will not turn backwards, and the nations and lands of the region will no longer serve as shields for American bases," he said.

U.S. President Trump Meets With China's President Xi At Zhongnanhai

Iran said the U.S. won't be able to use countries in the region as 'shields'. (Image: Getty)

Khamenei also said: "In different parts of Iran and the world, and after these blessed days, 'Death to America' and 'Death to Israel' shall become the common slogan of the Islamic Ummah and the oppressed people of the world," he added, "especially the youth."

This came as the US confirmed carrying what were described as "self-defense strikes" depsite negotiations between the two countries.

Capt. Tim Hawkins, spokesperson for the US Central Command, said the action was taken “to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces”.

U.S. broadcaster CBS News said "U.S. intelligence shows that Khamenei is effectively holed up in an undisclosed location with little access to the outside world and is only reached by a labyrinth of couriers, according to U.S. officials with knowledge of the matter".

Khamenei has not appeared in public since being appointed to replace his father, Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a joint US-Israeli strike on the first day of Operation Epic Fury, on February 28. He is believed to have been injured during US strikes, and he has anot recorded a video or audio message as he reportedly does not want to appear vulnerable.