If US attacks, Iran says it will strike US bases in the region

🎦 مشروح اظهارات سید عباس عراقچی وزیر امور خارجه پس از پایان مذاکرات هسته‌ای در مسقط

امروز گفتگوهای فشرده‌ای و طولانی داشتیم از ۱۰ صبح تا الان که نزدیک به شش بعدازظهر است، جلسات متعددی به صورت غیرمستقیم برگزار شد. آقای بدر البوسعیدی وزیر خارجه عمان زحمت زیادی امروز کشید، هم از… pic.twitter.com/H7RROpaAgG

Trump has threatened to strike Iran after a US naval buildup in the region, demanding that it renounce uranium enrichment, a possible pathway to nuclear bombs, as well as stop ballistic missile development and support for armed groups around the region. Tehran has long denied any intent to weaponise nuclear fuel production.

While both sides have indicated readiness to revive diplomacy over Tehran's long-running nuclear dispute with the West, Araghchi baulked at widening the talks out.

"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.

Last June, the US bombed Iranian nuclear facilities, joining in the final stages of a 12-day Israeli bombing campaign. Tehran has since said it has halted uranium enrichment activity.

Its response at the time included a missile attack on a US base in Qatar, which maintains good relations with both Tehran and Washington.

In the event of a new US attack, Araghchi said the consequences could be similar.

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"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.”

Iran says it wants recognition of its right to enrich uranium, and that putting its missile programme on the negotiating table would leave it vulnerable to Israeli attacks.

Araghchi hoped talks with the US would resume soon, while reiterating Tehran's red lines and warning against any American attack.

However, Araghchi also said that despite the talks in Muscat being indirect, "an opportunity arose to shake hands with the American delegation".

He called the talks "a good start", but added that building trust would take time. He said the talks would resume "soon".

Read More: Trump says US, Iran held ‘very good talks’ in Oman, warns of steep consequences without deal

Trump on Friday called the talks "very good" and pledged another round of negotiations next week.

Despite this, he signed an executive order effective from Saturday that called for the "imposition of tariffs" on countries still doing business with Iran.

Full Remarks by Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi after the Conclusion of Nuclear Talks in Muscat

“Today we held intensive and lengthy talks, from 10 a.m. until nearly 6 p.m. Several rounds of indirect meetings were conducted. Mr. Badr Albusaidi, Oman’s Foreign… https://t.co/a9pc6SNeV3

The US also announced new sanctions against numerous shipping entities and vessels, aimed at curbing Iran's oil exports.

More than a quarter of Iran's trade is with China, with $18 billion in imports and $14.5b in exports in 2024, according to World Trade Organisation data.

Araghchi also said Iran's missile programme was "never negotiable" because it relates to a "defence issue".

Washington has sought to address Iran's ballistic missile programme and its alleged support for militant groups in the region — issues which Israel has pushed to include in the talks, according to media reports.

Tehran has repeatedly rejected expanding the scope of the negotiations beyond the nuclear issue.

Friday's unprecedented talks between the two arch enemies came amid a major US military buildup in the region in the wake of Iran's crackdown on protests that began in late December, driven by economic grievances.

The negotiations were the first since nuclear talks between Iran and the US collapsed last year following Israel's unprecedented bombing campaign against Iran, which triggered a 12-day war.