Tehran, May 1 -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei on Friday referred to US military bases in the West Asia region as a "paper tiger", questioning their ability to ensure even their own security amid the escalation of tensions between Washington and Tehran.

In a post on X, Khamenei mocked the defensive ability of the US bases in the region while also targeting Washington's regional supporters in a veiled reference to Israel and the Arab countries, which have supported the US during the conflict.

"America's paper tiger bases can't even secure themselves, let alone the regional American-worshippers," the Iranian Supreme Leader stated in his post.

His remarks come amid heightened tensions in West Asia following the ongoing ...