Mojtaba Khamenei Urges 8 States Into Anti-US Bloc as Trump Pushes Abraham Accords
Updated
Updated · Fox News · May 31
Mojtaba Khamenei Urges 8 States Into Anti-US Bloc as Trump Pushes Abraham Accords
2 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 31
Mojtaba Khamenei on May 26 called on Islamic governments to build a "New Islamic Civilization," framing U.S. bases in West Asia as targets for expulsion and pitching Iran-led regional unity.
The appeal came within 24 hours of Trump's outreach to eight leaders — including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain — to expand the 2020 Abraham Accords and widen normalization with Israel.
Analyst Omar Mohammed said the timing turned an old Iranian "Ummah" doctrine into a direct counterbid for the same Gulf capitals, forcing them to weigh Washington's security umbrella against Tehran's anti-American message.
That pitch faces a credibility problem: Mohammed said Iran has attacked several of the same states in recent months, with the UAE alone reporting nearly 2,000 intercepted drones and hundreds of ballistic missiles since Feb. 28.
Gulf governments remain skeptical of Tehran, he said, but are also watching whether any U.S.-Iran deal would return funds to Iran without curbing its missile threat.
With Iran attacking its neighbors while offering friendship, can any U.S. peace deal truly guarantee security for America's Gulf allies?
As dwindling stockpiles limit Iran's attacks, is its new leader's aggressive diplomacy a sign of strength or a desperate final gambit?
The 2026 Iran Crisis: Strait of Hormuz Blockade, Oil Shock, and the Struggle for Middle East Peace
Overview
In late May 2026, Iran’s new leader Mojtaba Khamenei made strong public statements against Israel, highlighting the hardline direction of the country’s leadership as it faces mounting internal and external pressures. The United States Navy has enforced a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz since April, blocking ships from Iranian ports and disrupting the import of essential goods. This blockade also threatens Iran’s oil production, worsening the country’s economic crisis. Together, these developments show how Iran’s leadership, tough rhetoric, and the US blockade are driving a deepening crisis with serious consequences for both Iran and the wider region.