Iran 'will target U.S. bases in the region if Washington attacks,' Araghchi says

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned Saturday that Tehran would target U.S. bases in the region if Washington were to attack Iran.

“It is not possible to strike American soil if the United States attacks us, but we will hit their bases in the region,” Araghchi said in an interview with the Qatari channel Al Jazeera, according to excerpts published on his official Telegram account.

Shifting between conciliatory and forceful tones, the Iranian diplomat nevertheless said he had agreed with the United States to hold a new round of talks “soon,” and voiced readiness to reach an agreement that would “provide reassurance” to Washington on the nuclear issue.

“At the moment, no specific date has been set for a second round of negotiations, but both we and Washington believe they must take place soon,” he said.

“[Nuclear] enrichment is our inalienable right and must continue … We are ready for a reassuring agreement regarding enrichment,” he added.

Araghchi also noted that although Friday’s talks in Oman were “indirect,” “there was an opportunity to shake hands with the American delegation.”

In the same interview, he insisted that “the Iranian ballistic missile program will never be open to negotiation” with Washington.