Iran will strike United States military bases across the Middle East if American forces attack, but won’t target the countries hosting those installations, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Saturday.

Araqchi made the warning during an interview with Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera, one day after Tehran and Washington pledged to continue indirect nuclear talks following productive discussions on Friday in Oman.

No date has been set for the next round of negotiations, though President Donald Trump suggested they could happen early next week.
“We and Washington believe it should be held soon,” Araqchi said.

Trump has threatened to strike Iran after deploying additional naval forces to the region. The American president demands that Tehran abandon uranium enrichment, stop developing ballistic missiles, and end support for armed groups across the Middle East.
Iran has consistently denied any intention to develop nuclear weapons.

Iran Limits Talks To Nuclear Issue Only

Araqchi rejected expanding negotiations beyond the nuclear dispute. “Any dialogue requires refraining from threats and pressure. (Tehran) only discusses its nuclear issue… We do not discuss any other issue with the US,” he said.

Naija News gathered that American forces bombed Iranian nuclear facilities last June, joining the final phase of a 12-day Israeli bombing campaign. Tehran halted uranium enrichment activities and launched a missile attack on a US base in Qatar, which maintains friendly relations with both countries.

Araqchi said Iran would respond similarly if Washington attacks again.

“It would not be possible to attack American soil, but we will target their bases in the region,” he said. “We will not attack neighbouring countries; rather, we will target US bases stationed in them. There is a big difference between the two.”

The comments appear designed to reassure Gulf Arab states hosting American military installations that Iran distinguishes between their territories and foreign forces operating from them.

Iran insists it wants international recognition of its right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes. Tehran argues that including its missile program in negotiations would leave the country vulnerable to Israeli attacks.

The warning comes as American aircraft carriers and warships patrol waters near Iran, creating the largest concentration of US naval power in the region in years.