Iran issued a sharp warning to the US, saying it would retaliate against American military bases in the region if its territory was attacked, even as both sides cautiously moved ahead with talks on Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday said Tehran would target US military bases in the region if Washington launched an attack on Iranian territory, amid threats by US President Donald Trump. He also made it clear that Iran’s missile programme was “never negotiable” in talks with the United States.
Talks held in Oman
Araghchi’s remarks came a day after Iran and the US held two rounds of indirect talks on Iran’s nuclear programme in Oman on Friday, February 6.
“There is no possibility of attacking American soil if Washington attacks us, but we will attack their bases in the region,” Araghchi said, according to AFP, citing excerpts from an interview shared on his official Telegram channel.
Missile programme ‘not negotiable’
“Missiles are never negotiable because they are a defence issue,” he added.
Araghchi further said that nuclear enrichment was Iran’s “inalienable right” and must continue. “Even with bombing, they could not destroy our capabilities. We are ready to reach a reassuring agreement on enrichment,” he said.
Next round of talks
On future negotiations, Araghchi said no date had been fixed for the next round of talks, but both Tehran and Washington agreed they should take place “soon”.
“At present, no specific time has been set for the second round of negotiations, but we and Washington believe that these negotiations should be held soon,” he said.
He also revealed that despite the talks in Muscat being indirect, there was a brief interaction with US officials. “Although the negotiations were indirect, an opportunity arose to shake hands with the American delegation,” Araghchi said.
Trump’s response
Meanwhile, Trump said Washington had held “very good talks” on Iran. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, he said, “We’re going to meet again early next week.”
Despite the talks, Trump on Friday signed an executive order warning of tariffs on countries that trade with Iran.
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