Iran threatens to target US bases if conflict breaks out over nuclear deal

Iran’s Defense Minister has warned that the country would strike U.S. military bases in the region if a conflict with the United States were to break out, as Donald Trump admitted he is now less confident that a nuclear deal can be reached.

Since April, Washington and Tehran have held five rounds of talks aimed at negotiating the terms of a new nuclear agreement. However, the U.S. continues to firmly oppose allowing Iran to enrich uranium, while Tehran insists its nuclear program is strictly for civilian purposes.

Speaking on Wednesday, Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said Iran would not hesitate to strike American military installations if the U.S. initiated hostilities.

“Some officials on the other side threaten conflict if negotiations don’t come to fruition. If a conflict is imposed on us … all U.S. bases are within our reach and we will boldly target them in host countries,” Nasirzadeh told reporters, according to Reuters.

A sixth round of talks is scheduled for Sunday in Oman, according to Iranian officials.

During an appearance on the Pod Force One podcast, Trump voiced growing skepticism about the prospects of a deal.

“I’m less confident now than I would have been a couple of months ago. Something happened to them, but I am much less confident of a deal being made,” he said.

(QG - Source: Al Jazeera - Picture : © Unsplash)