08.02.2026 12:10
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that if the military forces deployed by the United States in the Middle East attack, the U.S. bases in the region will be targeted. Araghchi emphasized that this situation should not be seen as an attack on the countries where these bases are located.
The Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made statements to Qatar-based Al Jazeera television following the 'positive' talks held in Oman on Friday.
NEGOTIATIONS WILL BE HELD NEXT WEEK
Araghchi stated that Tehran and Washington have agreed to continue nuclear negotiations indirectly, but no date has yet been set for the new round of talks. U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that negotiations could take place at the beginning of next week.
"THE NUCLEAR PROGRAM DOES NOT HAVE MILITARY PURPOSES"
Trump had called on Iran to abandon its uranium enrichment activities, halt its ballistic missile program, and cut support for armed groups in the region following the strengthening of the U.S. Navy in the area. Washington argues that uranium enrichment could pave the way for nuclear weapon development. Tehran has long asserted that its nuclear program does not have military purposes.
Araghchi, stating that the door to diplomacy is open, opposed the expansion of the scope of the talks. He said, "Every dialogue requires the end of threats and pressure. Iran only discusses the nuclear issue. We will not negotiate any other matter with the U.S."
In June last year, the U.S. bombed nuclear facilities in Iran during the final phase of Israel's 12-day attack campaign. Following these attacks, Tehran announced that it had halted its uranium enrichment activities. Iran responded to these attacks by launching a missile attack on a U.S. base in Qatar. Araghchi warned that similar consequences could arise if the U.S. carried out a new attack, stating, "It is not possible for us to target U.S. territory, but we can target its bases in the region," he said.
"WE WILL TARGET U.S. BASES"
Emphasizing that they have no intention of attacking neighboring countries, Araghchi said, "We will not target neighboring countries; we will target the U.S. bases on their territories. There is a big difference between these two situations." While Iran demands recognition of its right to uranium enrichment, it argues that bringing the ballistic missile program to the negotiating table would leave the country vulnerable to Israeli attacks.