Iran Warns of Retaliatory Strikes on U.S. Bases if Attacked

International Desk, 14 January: 

Iran has warned Middle Eastern countries hosting U.S. military bases that those facilities will be targeted if the United States launches any attack against Tehran.

Speaking to Reuters on Wednesday (January 14), a senior Iranian official said Tehran has conveyed the message to regional countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey. “Iran has told regional states that if the United States attacks Iran, U.S. bases located in their countries will be hit,” the official said, adding that Tehran has urged these countries to prevent any U.S. military action against Iran.

The warning comes amid more than two weeks of protests across Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened military intervention if Iranian authorities continue to kill protesters.
Iranian authorities have taken a hardline approach to suppress the unrest.

Thousands are feared dead, although the protests have largely been brought under control due to strict security measures. Despite this, Trump has renewed calls for demonstrations in Iran.

On Tuesday, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform: “Patriotic people of Iran, continue your protests—take control of your national institutions. Document the names of the killers and torturers. They will pay a very high price.”

Trump also said he has suspended all meetings with Iranian officials in protest against the crackdown on demonstrators. “Indiscriminate firing is being used to suppress protests in Iran. Until this senseless killing stops, I will not meet with any Iranian official,” he said, adding that support for Iranian protesters was “on the way” and ending his message with the slogan, “Make Iran Great Again.”