The standoff between Iran and the United States is heating up once again. On June 11, Iran’s Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh issued a stark warning: if nuclear negotiations fail and Washington chooses confrontation, Iran will target all U.S. military bases in the region.
“Some officials on the other side threaten war if talks break down. But let me be clear — all U.S. bases in the region are within our reach, and we will not hesitate to strike boldly in response,” Nasirzadeh said during a press conference. He further warned that the U.S. should “leave the region” if it is not prepared for the consequences of a conflict.
The Iranian military, he said, has made major advances in defense capabilities and is fully prepared for any confrontation. “We recently tested a missile carrying a two-ton warhead. If war is imposed on us, the other side will suffer far heavier losses,” he added.
These remarks follow heightened tensions in the ongoing nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington. Talks have grown increasingly hostile in recent weeks, with both sides publicly expressing frustration.
During a U.S. House of Representatives hearing, the head of CENTCOM (United States Central Command) stated that a full range of military options had been submitted to the Pentagon and the President, should diplomacy fail.
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump, speaking in an interview with Fox News, criticized Iran’s position in the talks, calling it “disappointing.” He noted that Iran is demanding too much while giving up too little. “They’re being more aggressive. I’m less confident now that we’ll reach a deal,” he said.
Iran recently rejected a new U.S. proposal aimed at limiting its uranium enrichment capabilities. In response, Tehran plans to submit a counterproposal ahead of the next round of negotiations scheduled for the coming days.
Adding to the pressure, Israel is reportedly preparing for a potential strike on Iranian nuclear facilities. However, according to Hebrew media, during a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump reportedly advised against any Israeli military action for now, saying it would be “unhelpful.”
Still, Trump has previously suggested that Israel could play a critical role in any military conflict if diplomacy breaks down.
In a dramatic twist, Iran’s Intelligence Ministry claimed to have obtained thousands of sensitive Israeli nuclear documents. The head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Hossein Salami, said this intelligence would give Iran a strategic edge should Israel launch a strike.
As nuclear talks teeter on the brink, the world watches anxiously. The prospect of a diplomatic breakthrough hangs in the balance — but the threat of conflict looms larger than ever.
