If U.S. Attacks Iran, Foreign Minister Warns Iran Will Strike U.S. Bases In Middle East Region
CAIRO, Feb 7 (Reuters) – Iran will strike U.S. bases in the Middle East if attacked by U.S. forces concentrated there, Iran’s foreign minister said on Saturday, insisting it should not be seen as an attack on countries hosting them.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi spoke to Qatar Al Jazeera TV after Tehran and Washington pledged to resume indirect nuclear talks after what both sides described as “this way”. positive discussions Friday in Oman.
While Araqchi said that no date has been determined for the next round of negotiations, US President Donald Embers He said they could happen early next week. “We and Washington believe this should be done soon,” Araqchi said.
Embers He threatened to strike Iran after the United States increased its naval forces in the region, demanding that it abandon uranium enrichment, a possible path to nuclear bombs, and stop developing ballistic missiles and supporting armed groups in the region. Tehran has long denied any intention to weaponize nuclear fuel production.
While both sides have indicated they are ready to revive diplomacy over Tehran’s long-running nuclear dispute with the West, Araqchi has opposed expanding talks.
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“Dialogue requires avoiding threats and pressure. (Tehran) is only discussing the nuclear issue… We are not discussing any other issue with the United States,” he said.
Last June, the United States bombed Iran’s nuclear facilities, joining the final stages of Israel’s 12-day bombing campaign. Tehran has since announced that it has stopped uranium enrichment activities.
Its response at the time included a missile attack on a US base in Qatar, which maintains good relations with both Tehran and Washington.
Araqchi said the consequences could be similar in the event of a new US attack.
“It is not possible to attack American territory, but we will target their bases in the region,” he said.
“We will not attack neighboring countries, we will target the US bases where they are stationed. There is a big difference between the two.”
Iran says it wants its right to enrich uranium recognized and that putting its missile program on the negotiating table would leave it vulnerable to Israeli attacks.
(Reporting by Jaidaa Taha and Enas Alashry; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
