Iran retaliatory strikes will target Israel and US bases, foreign minister says

Araghchi expresses optimism regarding possibility of negotiating deal and avoiding war with US but warns that if US strikes, Iran will bomb Israel and American bases in the Mideast.

By World Israel News Staff

Iran threatened over the weekend to strike Israel and American military bases in the Middle East instead of attacking the United States itself in the event that war breaks out between the Islamic Republic and the U.S.

On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke with CBS News, expressing optimism about the possibility of reaching a new nuclear agreement with Washington and averting war between the two countries.

“There is no need for a military buildup and also no use in it. Military force cannot exert pressure on us,” Araghchi said.

“We have endured 20 years of sanctions. We have paid great expenses and lost many scientists. The nuclear program is at this point a matter of dignity and pride.”

Last week, Araghchi touted the second nuclear summit with American officials, held last Tuesday in Geneva, calling the talks constructive.

In the conversation with CBS, Araghchi expressed optimism that the third round of talks, slated to be held in Geneva on Thursday, would also be fruitful, saying there is a “good chance” the two sides will continue to make progress.

However, if war breaks out between Iran and the U.S., Araghchi said that his country would bomb Israel and American military bases in the Middle East instead of attacking the U.S. homeland, which is out of reach of Iranian ballistic missiles and drones.

“Our missiles can hit their targets in Israel. Since our missiles cannot reach U.S. soil, if they attack, we must hit something else, such as their bases in the region. Still, why should we go to war when there is every possibility of a peaceful solution?”