Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, has declared that countries in the region would no longer serve as protective shields for American military bases.

In a message marking the Eid al-Adha celebration, Khamenei stated that “the hands of time will not turn backwards” and argued that nations in the Middle East would no longer allow their territories to be used to secure United States military interests.

He further claimed that the United States no longer has safe positions in the region for military aggression or bases, adding that Washington is steadily losing its previous level of influence.

The comments come amid continued exchanges between Iran and the United States aimed at securing a broader agreement to end the regional conflict that reportedly began on February 28. A fragile ceasefire has remained in place since April 8.

Iran’s foreign ministry recently stated that Tehran and Washington had reached understandings on several issues but warned that a final agreement was not yet close.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed on Tuesday that it had downed a U.S. drone and fired at other aircraft allegedly attempting to enter Iranian airspace, while warning against any violation of the ceasefire.

On Monday, the United States Central Command said its forces had targeted missile sites in southern Iran and vessels allegedly attempting to lay mines despite the ceasefire. Iranian state media later reported explosions in Bandar Abbas without officially confirming the cause.

Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, succeeded his father, Ali Khamenei, who was reportedly killed during the opening U.S.-Israel strikes on February 28, an event that triggered retaliatory attacks by Tehran across the region.