Seth J. Frantzman
Jerusalem Post, Mar. 31, 2025
“Iran is stressing that, although the US may have the ability to carry out precision airstrikes on Iran, Tehran has the capability to strike American bases in the Gulf, including those in Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE. Iran believes this could make the US reconsider, as Iran can destabilize multiple regions.”
Iran is issuing a warning to the US regarding potential airstrikes. This comes at a time when US President Donald Trump has been reaching out to Tehran, and the US has stationed warplanes on Diego Garcia. Iran fears that the US may be considering airstrikes if an agreement is not reached, and the Iranian government wants to make it clear that it will retaliate if these threats become a reality.
This is a risky move by Iran, which is using its nuclear program as a bargaining chip to potentially secure concessions. At the same time, Iran is seeking to strengthen its ties with Russia and China.
Iran is ramping up its rhetoric against the US to send a clear message. For instance, a video featuring Amir Ali Hajizadeh, a high-ranking Iranian official, was circulated online, in which he warns the US against striking. Hajizadeh, who heads the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) aerospace unit, stated that Iran could retaliate by targeting US military bases in the region. “The Americans have around ten military bases in the region—at least near Iran—and 50,000 troops,” Hajizadeh said in an interview with Iranian state media. “It’s like they’re sitting in a glass house. And when you’re in a glass house, you don’t throw stones at others.”
Iran ups rhetoric against the United States, Donald Trump
Iran is stressing that, although the US may have the ability to carry out precision airstrikes on Iran, Tehran has the capability to strike American bases in the Gulf, including those in Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE. Iran believes this could make the US reconsider, as Iran can destabilize multiple regions. …SOURCE