“All its bases are within our reach…we will target all of them in host countries”: Iran Defence Minister
Tehran – Iran issued a stark warning Wednesday, vowing to target U.S. military bases across the Middle East if conflict erupts, as President Donald Trump expressed fading confidence in reviving the nuclear deal abandoned during his first term.
The escalating rhetoric comes after five rounds of tense negotiations since April aimed at restoring the 2015 accord, which Trump scrapped in 2018. Since returning to office in January, the president has reinstated his “maximum pressure” campaign while keeping military action “on the table” should diplomacy fail.
“All Their Bases Are Within Reach”
Iran’s Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh delivered the blunt threat: “Every U.S. base in host countries is accessible to us. Without hesitation, we will strike them all if forced.” He added that America would “suffer greater losses” in any confrontation, while cautiously noting, “God willing, talks will succeed.”
The U.S. maintains a heavy military footprint in the region, including its largest base at Al-Udeid in Qatar – well within range of Iran’s missile arsenal.
Nuclear Deadlock
The diplomatic stalemate centers on Iran’s uranium enrichment, now at 60% purity – far beyond the 3.67% limit of the original deal and nearing weapons-grade levels (90%). While Tehran insists its nuclear program is peaceful, Western powers remain skeptical.
“Enrichment is non-negotiable,” declared Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei last week, asserting Washington “has no say” on the matter.
Trump’s Waning Optimism
In a striking shift from his May comments about being “close” to a deal, Trump told the New York Post’s Pod Force One: “I’m less confident now… Maybe they don’t want a deal.” The president reiterated, however, that he “prefers no war” while vowing to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran.
Sanctions Standoff
Iran has criticized the latest U.S. proposal for lacking meaningful sanctions relief – a key demand for its sanctions-crippled economy. Meanwhile, the IAEA condemned Tehran’s “less than satisfactory” cooperation regarding unexplained nuclear traces at undeclared sites, which Iran dismisses as “Israeli forgeries.”
With the UN nuclear watchdog meeting in Vienna this week and both sides hardening their positions, the window for diplomacy appears to be narrowing – raising fears of a dangerous new confrontation in the region.
