Mojtaba Khamenei touts new anti-US alliance as Gulf backchannels seep into Tehran: analyst Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has initiated a counteroffensive against Donald Trump’s expansion of the Abraham Accords, proposing an anti-American alliance centered on a “New Islamic Civilization.” This move aims to position Iran as the region’s leader and challenges Gulf states to choose between U.S. security and Tehran’s vision. Despite Khamenei’s rhetoric of friendship, recent Iranian aggression against neighboring capitals undermines this appeal, leaving Gulf nations skeptical of both Iran’s intentions and potential U.S. agreements.

• Mojtaba Khamenei is rallying Middle Eastern nations into an anti-American alliance as a counteroffensive to Donald Trump’s Abraham Accords expansion.
• Iran seeks to position itself as the region’s “new sheriff” and promote a “New Islamic Civilization” against the U.S.-led order.
• Khamenei’s call for cooperation is juxtaposed with recent Iranian aggression, including firing on Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, and Kuwait.
• Gulf states, despite having backchannels to Iran, remain skeptical due to past Iranian actions and are watchful of U.S. resolve.
• The timing of Khamenei’s statement, directly following Trump’s initiative, marks a significant escalation in regional posturing.