Speaking at a press conference on June 11, Iran’s Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh declared:

"If the negotiations yield no results and war is imposed on us… all U.S. military bases are within reach, and we will boldly strike them in their host countries".

He emphasized that this is not a threat or intimidation — but if the U.S. resorts to force, even hesitantly, Iran’s response will be decisive and aimed directly at key regional targets.

Nasirzadeh stated that Iran had recently tested a missile with a two-ton warhead, reaffirming the country’s refusal to accept any restrictions on its defense capabilities. The announcement is linked to the recent demonstration launch of the Qassem Basir missile — dubbed a "witness missile" — with a range of approximately 1,200 km and the ability to bypass missile defense systems without GPS guidance.

The sixth round of U.S.-Iran negotiations, scheduled for June 15 in Muscat, Oman, is being viewed as a final opportunity to prevent escalation.

The United States has already partially evacuated non-military personnel from its embassies in Iraq, Bahrain, and Kuwait, amid threats and growing concern over regional security. Israel is reportedly on high alert and is considering a potential strike against Iran.

Nasirzadeh sent a clear signal: if the U.S. employs cold or active force — even in a limited way — Iran will respond with strikes on American assets in host countries, likely including bases in Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, and Iraq.

Tehran underlined its military independence, showing its readiness for escalation by demonstrating significant missile capabilities and rejecting external restrictions. Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, Iran is reinforcing its "no retreat" stance, using threats against U.S. interests as a form of strategic pressure.

Even if a deal is reached, Nasirzadeh’s remarks foster an atmosphere of tension and mistrust. Should the talks fail, the risk of military confrontation will rise dramatically — especially amid a "negotiations or war" backdrop. Regional security is already deeply undermined: potential strikes on U.S. or even Israeli targets could provoke swift retaliation from Washington and its allies.

Iran has made it clear that it does not consider nuclear diplomacy its only tool — if negotiations collapse, it is ready to resort to military means. The defense minister’s message is not just rhetoric, but a calculated signal: a threat to strike U.S. bases is a tool of pressure, ready to turn into military reality.

Source: www.reuters.com

 

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12.06.2025 08:17