“It is impossible to attack U.S. territory, but we will target their bases in the region,” Araghchi said.
Iran’s foreign minister said on Saturday that while an attack on U.S. soil was not possible, Iran would attack U.S. bases in the Middle East if attacked by U.S. forces massed in the region, insisting that it should not be considered an attack on the host country.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi gave an interview to Qatar’s Al Jazeera TV channel a day after Tehran and Washington pledged to continue indirect nuclear talks following positive discussions in Oman on Friday.
While Araghchi said no date had been set for the next round of talks, U.S. President Donald Trump said talks could take place early next week. “We and Washington believe it should be held as soon as possible,” Araghchi said.
Trump threatened to strike Iran after the U.S. Navy built up in the region, demanding that Iran abandon uranium enrichment, a possible way to build a nuclear bomb, and halt its development of ballistic missiles and support for armed groups in the region. Tehran has long denied any intention to weaponize nuclear fuel production.
While both sides have expressed a willingness to restart diplomacy over Tehran’s long-running nuclear dispute with the West, Araghchi has been reluctant to expand talks.
Panoramic view of a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft hosting Afghan refugees at Al Udeid Air Base in Doha, Qatar, on September 7, 2021 (Photo source: OLIVIER DOULIERY/POOL VIA REUTERS)
“Any dialogue needs to avoid threats and pressure. (Tehran) only discusses its nuclear issues… We do not discuss any other issues with the United States,” he said.
Araghchi said Iran would attack US bases in the Middle East if they target them
In June last year, the United States bombed Iran’s nuclear facilities, entering the final stage of a 12-day war. Tehran has since said it has stopped uranium enrichment activities.
Its response at the time included missile attacks on U.S. bases in Qatar, which maintains good relations with both Tehran and Washington.
Araghchi said that if the United States launched a new attack, the consequences could be similar.
“It is impossible to attack U.S. territory, but we will target their bases in the region,” he said.
“We don’t attack neighboring countries, we target U.S. bases in those countries. There’s a big difference.”
Iran says it wants recognition of its right to enrich uranium and that keeping its missile program on the negotiating table would leave it vulnerable to Israeli attacks.
