Iranian Foreign Minister Expresses Optimism for US Talks While Issuing Stark Military Warning
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on Saturday that he remains optimistic negotiations with the United States could resume in the near future. However, he simultaneously underscored Iran's non-negotiable positions and issued a clear caution to Washington against any military action.
High-Stakes Discussions Amid Regional Military Buildup
The discussions between the long-time adversaries occurred on Friday against a tense backdrop of significant US military buildup in the region. This escalation followed Iran's harsh response to protests that erupted in late December over severe economic hardships.
On Saturday, Araghchi delivered a pointed warning, stating that Iran would respond to any US attack by striking American military installations throughout the Gulf region. He emphasized that such retaliation would specifically target regional bases rather than the United States mainland.
"It would not be possible to attack American soil, but we will target their bases in the region," Araghchi told Al Jazeera during the interview. "We will not attack neighbouring countries; rather, we will target US bases stationed in them. There is a big difference between the two."
Iran's Extensive Missile Arsenal Capable of Reaching US Bases
According to the Wall Street Journal, Iran is believed to possess approximately 2,000 medium-range ballistic missiles capable of striking targets throughout the Middle East. The country also maintains shorter-range missiles that can reach US military bases specifically located in the Gulf region.
Iran's key midrange ballistic missiles that can reach major US bases across the Middle East include:
- The Khorramshahr missile - Regarded as Iran's most powerful and sophisticated liquid-fueled weapon, carrying an "ultra-heavy" warhead with a range up to 2,000 kilometres. This puts all of Israel, numerous US military installations across the Middle East, and parts of southeastern Europe within reach. Potential targets include Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the US Naval Support Activity in Bahrain, and other American bases in Kuwait, Iraq, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.
- The Sejjil medium-range ballistic missile - With a reported range up to 2,000 kilometres, enabling strikes throughout the Middle East including Israel and parts of southeastern Europe. Within its reach are Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the US Naval Support Activity in Bahrain, several installations in Kuwait such as Camp Arifjan and Ali Al Salem Air Base, Iraq's Al-Asad Air Base, and other key US military assets in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Turkey.
- The Emad and Ghadr-1 missiles - Advanced medium-range ballistic missiles with ranges of approximately 1,700 kilometres, capable of striking targets including Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the US Naval Support Activity in Bahrain, key facilities in Kuwait, Iraq's Al-Asad Air Base, Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, Incirlik Air Base in Turkey, and installations in Jordan and Syria.
- The Fattah-1, Haj Qasem and Kheibar Shekan missiles - Prominent systems developed mainly by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps with ranges around 1,400 kilometres. These could reach US and allied bases including Al Udeid in Qatar, Ali Al Salem and Ahmed Al Jaber Air Bases in Kuwait, the US Naval Support Activity in Bahrain, Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, and sites in Jordan and Syria.
- The Dezful missile - A medium-range ballistic missile with an estimated range around 1,000 kilometres, capable of targeting locations such as Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Ain al-Assad Air Base in Iraq, Camp Arifjan and Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, the US Naval Support Activity in Bahrain, Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, and parts of eastern Saudi Arabia including Prince Sultan Air Base.
Controversial Death Toll Figures from Recent Unrest
Meanwhile, Iranian authorities have reported that 3,117 people died during the recent unrest, releasing a list of 2,986 names on Sunday. Officials claimed most of those killed were security personnel and civilians not involved in the demonstrations.
International organisations strongly dispute these figures, estimating a significantly higher death toll. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), which has tracked the unrest since it began, reports it has confirmed 6,961 deaths, largely protesters, with an additional 11,630 cases still being examined. HRANA has also recorded more than 50,000 arrests related to the protests.
