Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh has issued a stark warning that Iran will attack American military bases throughout the Middle East if the United States or its allies launch military strikes against Iran's nuclear weapons program. The threat comes amid escalating tensions over Iran's uranium enrichment activities.
According to Breitbart, Nasirzadeh stated Wednesday that "All [U.S.] bases are within our reach, we have access to them, and without hesitation, we will target all of them in the host countries." The defense minister added that while he hopes "things won't reach that point," Iran is prepared to act if provoked.
Nasirzadeh claimed that in any potential conflict, the United States would "suffer more losses" than Iran. He also asserted that Iran has made "significant progress" in military technology since its widely criticized missile attacks against Israel last year and that Iranian armed forces are now "fully equipped" to handle any adversary.
Trump administration signals possible military action
The Iranian threats appear to be a direct response to recent statements from U.S. military leadership about potential actions against Iran. Gen. Michael Kurilla, head of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), informed Congress on Tuesday that he has presented President Trump with a "wide range of options" for possible military strikes against Iran.
During a House Armed Services Committee hearing, Chairman Mike Rogers specifically asked Gen. Kurilla if CENTCOM was "prepared to respond with overwhelming force to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran" if directed by the president. Kurilla confirmed he had provided options to both the secretary of defense and President Trump.
President Trump expressed disappointment on Tuesday with Iran's increasingly aggressive stance in ongoing negotiations, saying: "They're just asking for things you can't do. They don't want to give up what they have to give up. They seek enrichment. We can't have enrichment. We want just the opposite, and so far they're not there."
IAEA reports ongoing compliance issues
The heightened tensions coincide with the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Board of Governors meeting in Vienna, scheduled to conclude Friday. IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi has voiced frustration with Iran's continued evasiveness regarding uranium particles discovered at undeclared locations in 2019 and 2020.
In his opening address to the meeting, Grossi criticized Iran for failing to provide credible answers to the agency's questions and for attempting to "sanitize" locations, impeding verification activities. He also condemned Iran's non-compliance with inspections and its continued uranium enrichment at levels far beyond any peaceful civilian purpose.
"Unless and until Iran assists the Agency in resolving the outstanding safeguards issues, the Agency will not be in a position to provide assurance that Iran's nuclear programme is exclusively peaceful," Grossi stated. These comments suggest the IAEA may issue a formal resolution condemning Iran for non-compliance.
Indirect negotiations continue amid rising tensions
Despite the escalating rhetoric, diplomatic efforts are still ongoing, with the sixth round of indirect U.S.-Iran negotiations scheduled to begin Sunday in Oman. These "indirect" talks involve American and Iranian teams communicating through Omani intermediaries rather than speaking directly to each other.
Iran has recently shifted its rhetoric toward accusing the U.S. and Europe of "abusing" the IAEA for political purposes. Iranian officials have repeatedly stated that their uranium enrichment program is "non-negotiable" and threatened retaliation if they feel pressured by the U.S., Europe, or the United Nations.
President Trump has characterized the alternative to successful negotiations as "very, very dire," suggesting serious consequences if diplomacy fails. However, he expressed some hope that the upcoming talks in Oman might yield progress despite recent setbacks.
Military standoff intensifies
The situation represents one of the most serious confrontations between the United States and Iran since President Trump took office. Nasirzadeh's threats to target all U.S. bases in the region mark a significant escalation in rhetoric from Tehran.
U.S. military forces maintain numerous bases throughout the Middle East, including in countries such as Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq. These installations would potentially be at risk if Iran follows through on its threats of retaliation against military action.
The standoff continues as the IAEA prepares to conclude its Board of Governors meeting, with many observers expecting a formal resolution condemning Iran's non-compliance with nuclear safeguards. Such a resolution could further inflame tensions ahead of Sunday's negotiations in Oman.
