Iran threatens: military attacks on the USA in case of escalation!

Iran threatens: military attacks on the USA in case of escalation!

On March 28, 2025, relations between the USA and Iran will again be in focus after reports of indicative talks between the two states emerged. Iran has signaled that it is ready for indirect nuclear talks with the US provided the American government changes its aggressive “maximum pressure” policy. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi emphasized that dialogues are currently not possible without these threats. This comes amid rising tensions, with Iran threatening the US with attacks on military bases in the region if it attacks Iran.

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Kalibaf warned that the region could “explode” if US President Donald Trump carries out his military threats. In a letter to Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Trump threatened military consequences if a new nuclear deal is not reached. He made it clear that there were two options for dealing with Iran: either military action or an agreement.

Increased uranium enrichment and international concerns

Tensions were heightened by reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that reported accelerated uranium enrichment in Iran. Stocks of uranium enriched to up to 60% are dangerously close to weapons-grade quality of around 90%. However, Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only, although some Iranian policymakers are considering the possibility of a nuclear arms buildup, particularly in relation to Israel.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff has suggested talks about Iran's nuclear program to prevent military escalation. He emphasized that not everything has to be solved by military means and encouraged dialogue and diplomacy. In contrast, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz calls for the “complete dismantling” of Iran’s nuclear program, as nuclear weapons in Iran are considered unacceptable for U.S. national security.

Rejected offers and strategic considerations

Trump’s letter to Khamenei did not go unanswered. Khamenei called the message misleading and expressed doubts about Trump's serious intentions. Iranian adviser Kamal Kharrazi explained that Tehran has not closed all doors to indirect negotiations with Washington, and Araqchi pointed out that Trump's message contains both threats and space for diplomatic talks.

The background to this dispute is concern about the potential development of nuclear weapons under the guise of a civilian nuclear program after the US unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal under Trump in 2018. As a result of this withdrawal, Iran began to violate the terms of the agreement and exceeded the established limits on uranium enrichment, which further destabilized the international situation.

The situation remains tense as international actors closely monitor the possible consequences of these developments. Indirect talks could be the first step towards de-escalating the situation, but the fundamental differences between the two countries make a solution still seem distant.

For more information on the background to these diplomatic tensions, visit Vienna.at, daily news and Mirror.