Tehran's Preparedness to Strike US Bases

In a bold declaration, Iranian officials have stated that the country is prepared to strike US military bases in the region if the United States decides to follow through on threats of military action against Iran, particularly in light of the stalled nuclear negotiations. This was emphasized by Mohammad Qalibaf, the Speaker of the Iranian parliament, during a live address on Al-Quds Day, a significant occasion marking the last Friday of Ramadan.

Trump’s Confrontation with Iran

President Donald Trump recently confronted Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a letter outlining two potential paths for US-Iran relations: a military confrontation or the negotiation of a new deal. Qalibaf’s statements reflect Tehran’s defiance and readiness to respond fiercely to any perceived aggression. “If the Americans attack the sanctity of Iran, the entire region will blow up like a spark in an ammunition dump,” he warned, stressing that not only US bases but those of their regional allies are at risk.

Araqchi’s Remarks on Diplomacy

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has described Trump's recent communication as laced with threats but also acknowledged that it left the door ajar for potential diplomacy. However, any progress seems contingent upon the US altering its “maximum pressure” approach, which has seen the reimposition of heavy sanctions against Tehran since Trump unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal.

The Unraveling of the 2015 Nuclear Agreement

The 2015 agreement, which aimed to curtail Iran’s nuclear activities in return for sanction relief, unraveled as Iran began to breach its terms. The country has significantly increased its uranium enrichment levels, prompting concerns from Western nations about the possibility of Iran developing nuclear weapons capabilities. Tehran, in response, maintains that its nuclear ambitions are strictly for peaceful energy production.

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