Iran threatens to strike US bases in region if military conflict escalates
PHOTO CAPTION: Illustrative photo — Iranian ballistic missiles are displayed during the ceremony of joining the Armed Forces, in Tehran, Iran, August 22, 2023. Iran's Presidency/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS
DUBAI - If nuclear negotiations fail and conflict arises with the United States, Iran will strike American bases in the region, Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said on Wednesday, days ahead of a planned sixth round of Iran-U.S. nuclear talks.
"Some officials on the other side threaten conflict if negotiations don't come to fruition. If a conflict is imposed on us ... all U.S. bases are within our reach and we will boldly target them in host countries," Nasirzadeh said during a weekly press briefing.
U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened Iran with bombing if it does not reach a new nuclear deal.
The next round of talks is due this week, with Trump saying negotiations would be held on Thursday while Tehran says they will take place on Sunday in Oman.
Iran is expected to hand a counter-proposal to a previous U.S. offer for a nuclear deal it rejected, with Trump saying on Tuesday that Iran was becoming "much more aggressive" in nuclear talks.
Tehran and Washington have clashed on the issue on uranium enrichment on Iranian soil, which Western powers say is a potential pathway to the development of nuclear weapons. Iran holds that its nuclear programme is purely for civilian purposes.
"As we resume talks on Sunday, it is clear that an agreement that can ensure the continued peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program is within reach — and could be achieved rapidly," Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in a post on X on Wednesday.
Another sticking point in the talks has been Iran's missile programme. Ballistic missiles form an important part of Iran's arsenal.
Nasirzadeh said that Tehran recently tested a missile with a two-ton warhead and does not accept limitations.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had said in February that Iran should further develop its military, including its missiles.
(Reporting by Dubai NewsroomEditing by Peter Graff, Aidan Lewis // REUTERS)
