Iran has threatened to bomb US military installations in the region if negotiations over its nuclear programme collapse and war breaks out. Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh made the threat only days before the sixth round of nuclear talks with America. As the two sides work on their respective proposals, military saber-rattling and verbal confrontations are heating up.
Nasirzadeh made the remarks on Wednesday at a press conference. He stated Iran would not passively wait if war is imposed. “All American bases are in our reach, and we will aggressively strike them in host countries,” he threatened.
The remarks follow repeated threats by US President Donald Trump. He has threatened Iran with bombing unless the country signs a new nuclear agreement. His administration has taken an aggressive tone in recent weeks.
Talks Set, But Distrust Runs Deep
Trump said the next round of talks would take place on Thursday. Iran indicated, however, that negotiations would start on Sunday in Oman. Tehran will present a counter-proposal to an earlier US offer it turned down. Trump asserted on Tuesday that “Iran is becoming much more aggressive” in talks.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi was more optimistic. He posted on X that there was still a chance for an agreement to be reached peacefully. “A deal to secure the peaceful nature of our nuclear program is within reach,” Araqchi wrote.
Divide Over Missiles and Enrichment
One of the biggest hang-ups is still uranium enrichment. Western nations claim Iran’s actions could result in nuclear weapons. Iran maintains its program is purely for peaceful, civilian energy purposes.
A second major issue is Iran’s ballistic missile program. Nasirzadeh verified that Tehran has recently tested a two-ton warhead missile. “We don’t accept limits,” he said. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called for yet more military progress, including the expansion of the missile program.
Perilous Stalemate
The high-risk negotiations now hang in the balance. If talks fail, Iran’s threats of retaliatory military action risk regional escalation. US bases throughout the Middle East could be directly threatened.
As war talk escalates and ultimatums approach, the area prepares to see what might become a volatile hotspot.
