Iran Demands U.S. Hexagon Exit as Regional Conflict Escalates Under New Leadership

In his first public statement since assuming power, Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has demanded the immediate closure of all United States military bases in the Middle East and vowed to maintain a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. This shift in rhetoric follows the February 28 strike that killed his father and several family members. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has established three non-negotiable conditions for peace—recognition of sovereign rights, financial reparations, and international security guarantees—amid ongoing consultations with Russia. The conflict has expanded into a regional infrastructure crisis, with Iranian drone and missile barrages targeting major airports and oil refineries in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman. These attacks have paralyzed air traffic and damaged maritime safety, with multiple oil tankers struck and terminals shuttered. In Iran, officials report that 12 days of U.S. and Israeli aerial campaigns have resulted in over 1,300 civilian deaths. While President Trump has denied responsibility for specific strikes, U.S. forces have reportedly deployed new 'LUCAS' drones and Tomahawk missiles in the theater. In Israel, millions of civilians were forced into shelters as Hezbollah and Iranian missiles targeted Tel Aviv, including Shin Bet headquarters and several air bases. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held his first press conference of the war as the IDF continues retaliatory strikes against IRGC command centers and missile sites in central and western Iran. The escalation marks the 13th day of high-intensity operations with no signs of immediate diplomatic de-escalation.