Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran

Tehran, May 17: In a fiery rebuke aimed at Washington, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared that the United States “must and will exit” the Middle East, blaming American policies for sowing instability and fostering dependency among Gulf Arab states.

Speaking during a televised address, Khamenei said, “With the determination of the region's nations, America must and will leave this region.” His remarks followed U.S. President Donald Trump's recent tour of the Gulf, where Trump sought to tighten alliances and ink major investment deals while sharply criticising Iran's regional role.

Trump had accused Tehran of “stealing its people’s wealth to fund terror abroad,” and vowed to drive Iran’s oil exports to zero. The comments, made during a Saudi investment conference, sparked condemnation from Iranian officials.

Without naming Trump directly, Khamenei dismissed the U.S. president’s statements as “shameful” and “beneath response.” He said, “The level of those comments is so low that they bring embarrassment to the American people.”

Khamenei also rejected Washington’s claims of promoting peace in Gaza, calling it a lie. “American power has only been used to back massacres, fuel wars, and support mercenaries,” he said.

Taking aim at the U.S. relationship with Gulf Arab countries, Khamenei criticised what he described as an intentional strategy to keep them reliant on American support. Referring to Trump’s claim that these nations couldn’t survive “even 10 days” without U.S. backing, Khamenei said, “This is the model they’re selling—dependence disguised as security.”

He concluded, “This approach is doomed to fail. The people of the region are waking up, and the days of foreign domination are numbered.”

The speech underscores Iran’s resistance to growing U.S.-Gulf cooperation and reflects heightened tensions in the aftermath of Trump’s regional visit.