PARIS: Iran on Thursday warned that it would instantly and decisively strike US military bases and aircraft carriers if Washington attacked, as tensions between Tehran, Washington and Brussels escalated sharply.
An Iranian military spokesman told state television that any US action would not be met with a limited response — but a “decisive response delivered instantly,” noting that US aircraft carriers and bases in the Gulf were within the range of Iranian medium-range missiles. He cautioned that a miscalculation by the United States would not unfold as a quick operation followed by a tweet, referring to President Donald Trump’s pattern of remarks.
The warning came after Trump declared that time was “running out” for Tehran to reach a deal, while the EU formally listed Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation following its crackdown on nationwide protests.
Amid the rising rhetoric, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for renewed nuclear negotiations to avoid a crisis with “devastating consequences” for the Middle East.
Iran’s threat follows a significant buildup of US military assets in the region, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and accompanying warships. Trump said he hoped to avoid military action, signalling continued diplomacy even as tensions persist.
Officials in the Gulf, where several US bases are located, described fears of a strike on Iran as “very clear,” warning that a confrontation could plunge the region into chaos and disrupt global energy markets.
Iran has also rebuffed calls for talks in an atmosphere of threats, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi saying genuine negotiations cannot occur under coercion.