According to the Jerusalam post, Iran will target United States military bases across the Middle East if it comes under attack by American forces, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday, stressing that such retaliation would not be directed at the countries hosting those bases.
Speaking in an interview with Qatar-based Al Jazeera television, Araghchi said Iran lacks the ability to strike US territory directly but would respond decisively to any military action against it in the region.
“It would not be possible to attack American soil, but we will target their bases in the region,” Araghchi said.
The comments come amid heightened tensions following a significant US military buildup in the Middle East and renewed diplomatic engagement between Tehran and Washington over Iran’s nuclear program. On Friday, both sides said indirect talks held in Oman had been “positive” and agreed to continue discussions, though no date has yet been set for the next round.
Araghchi said both Tehran and Washington favored holding the next talks soon, a view echoed by US President Donald Trump, who said negotiations could resume as early as next week.
Despite the diplomatic signals, Trump has warned that military action remains on the table, demanding that Iran renounce uranium enrichment, curb its ballistic missile program, and halt support for armed groups across the region. Tehran has repeatedly denied seeking nuclear weapons, insisting its nuclear activities are for civilian purposes only.
Araghchi rejected any expansion of the talks beyond Iran’s nuclear file, saying pressure and threats undermine diplomacy.
“Any dialog requires refraining from threats and pressure,” he said. “(Tehran) only discusses its nuclear issue. We do not discuss any other issue with the US.”
The Iranian foreign minister also emphasized that retaliatory strikes would specifically target US assets, not regional states allied with Washington.
“We will not attack neighboring countries, rather, we will target US bases stationed in them. There is a big difference between the two,” he said.
Last June, the United States carried out airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities during the final phase of a 12-day regional conflict, a move that marked a major escalation in hostilities. In response, Iran launched missile attacks on a US military base in Qatar, a country that maintains close relations with both Tehran and Washington.
Following that confrontation, Iranian officials said uranium enrichment activities had been halted, though Western officials have expressed skepticism about the extent and durability of the pause.
Iran continues to insist that it has the right under international law to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes. Araghchi said Tehran views US demands to limit its missile program as unacceptable, arguing that such concessions would leave Iran exposed to potential Israeli military action.
Israel, which considers Iran’s nuclear ambitions an existential threat, has repeatedly warned it will act unilaterally if diplomacy fails. Iran, in turn, has accused Israel of seeking to weaken neighboring states to preserve its military and intelligence superiority.
As diplomacy proceeds under the shadow of military threats, analysts warn that any miscalculation by either side could quickly ignite a broader regional conflict, with US bases across the Middle East remaining potential flashpoints.
If you love political news or like to get more news happening around the globe, use the button below to get more verified news happening around Nigeria and the world today.
Leave a Reply