warns it is going to strike US bases if attacked – Worldwide Dispatch

Iran will strike American bases within the Center East if the US assaults the nation, Iranian International Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned.

The US and Iran held oblique talks in Oman on Friday amid heightened tensions following strikes on Iranian nuclear services final yr, which had been justified as stopping Tehran from buying nuclear weapons – an ambition it denies.

US President Donald Trump has since warned of additional assaults except Iran resumes negotiations, and despatched an “armada” to the Center East final month, demanding limits on uranium enrichment and Iran’s missile program.

Friday’s assembly marked the primary try and bridge the standoff. No breakthrough was introduced, although either side agreed to proceed talks.

Chatting with Al Jazeera on Saturday, Araghchi welcomed the resumption of talks as “a superb place to begin,” however famous {that a} local weather of “distrust” exists after final yr’s strikes. He warned that Tehran would reply in variety to any future US assault.

”If Washington assaults us, there isn’t a chance of attacking US soil, however we are going to strike their bases within the area,” he stated.

Araghchi reiterated that Iran is ready for the potential for warfare with the US, however stated the nuclear subject can solely be resolved by means of dialogue, which needs to be freed from threats or strain. He insisted that enrichment is Iran’s proper and should proceed, including that Iran will preserve enriched uranium at dwelling and set ranges primarily based on the nation’s wants. He additionally dominated out negotiations over Iran’s missile program, calling it a “purely defensive matter.”

Trump hailed the Oman talks as “excellent,” however continued his threats, warning on Friday that failure to achieve a deal would carry “very steep” penalties for Iran.

Moments after the talks ended, the US State Division introduced new sanctions on the nation, focusing on over 30 entities, people, and vessels over its alleged illicit petroleum and petrochemical commerce.

Additional conferences between the US and Iran are anticipated subsequent week.

The US maintains main army services in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE, with deployments in Iraq and Syria and entry in Jordan and Djibouti. Tehran has lengthy argued that the community of US bases close to its borders constitutes a direct safety menace.