Iran issued a warning on Thursday, stating that US military bases, facilities, and assets could become “legitimate targets” in the event of military threats and attacks by the United States. The message was conveyed by Iranian ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, in a letter addressed to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and the president of the Security Council, as reported by AFP.
In response to President Donald Trump’s deployment of warships, fighter jets, and other military equipment to the Middle East to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, Iran emphasized that it is not pursuing such capabilities.
Iravani’s letter referenced a social media post by Trump, where he mentioned the possibility of utilizing UK military bases, including one situated on an Indian Ocean island, if Iran does not agree to negotiations. The Iranian ambassador criticized Trump’s statement as provocative and highlighted the potential catastrophic consequences of any military aggression in the region, emphasizing the threat to international peace and security.
Requesting the Security Council to intervene and compel the US to halt its aggressive rhetoric, Iran reaffirmed its commitment to seeking diplomatic resolutions and addressing concerns about its peaceful nuclear activities. However, Iravani cautioned that any military aggression towards Iran would lead to the targeting of hostile forces’ bases, facilities, and assets in the region as part of Iran’s defensive response.
President Trump has been vocal about the possibility of military actions against Iran, initially citing a crackdown on protesters and more recently focusing on Iran’s nuclear program. Trump reiterated on Thursday that Iran has a limited timeframe to reach a deal and hinted at potential military action if an agreement is not reached within the specified period.
Recent discussions in Geneva involving US envoys and Iran’s top diplomat, indirectly facilitated by the president’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, showed signs of progress. Previous negotiation attempts were disrupted by surprise Israeli strikes on Iran last June, leading to a short-lived conflict where the US participated in bombing Iranian nuclear installations.
