Iran’s security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, has issued a warning that Tehran will strike US military installations beyond the Middle East, including those located in European countries, if they are utilized to facilitate attacks against the Islamic republic. In an interview with the Lebanon-based Al Mayadeen TV broadcast on Wednesday, the former Revolutionary Guard commander stated, "If American aircraft take off from an American military base, even one located in a European country or some other distant region, to bomb Iran, we will strike those bases as well."
Rezaei further indicated that Iran’s potential response could extend to "America's more distant military installations" and "certain islands" that the United States might assume are beyond the reach of Iranian missiles. The ongoing conflict, which commenced on February 28 following US-Israeli strikes that killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has seen continued military engagements involving Iran and US-backed groups in Yemen, Lebanon, and Iraq.
Current diplomatic negotiations to resolve the conflict are being led by Qatar and Pakistan. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Tuesday that further attacks on Iran are unnecessary, highlighting that Washington's efforts to undermine the Iranian economy have been successful. Tehran has demanded the unfreezing of assets and the lifting of sanctions as conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital energy conduit that remains blockaded.
Key facts
- Mohsen Rezaei stated Iran would target US bases in Europe or other distant regions used for anti-Iran strikes.
- The conflict began on February 28, 2026, following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
- In March, Iran fired two missiles at the strategic US-British base at Diego Garcia.
- The US Justice Department recently charged three individuals with plotting against the UK’s RAF Fairford airbase.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Tuesday that Washington currently sees no need for renewed strikes.
Why it matters
The threat signals a potential expansion of the war's geographic scope. While the US appears to have tempered its approach following the defeat of the Republican party in midterm elections, the security of international military bases remains a point of contention.
Background
Iranian officials have previously suggested the conflict could broaden, with advisors to the new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, mentioning in late September that the war might reach the Indian Ocean and beyond.
Source: Hindustan Times
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