The key facts

  • Deputy Chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces Keyumars Heydari stated that the US and its bases are within range of Iranian missiles and drones
  • Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei suggested strikes on US bases in European countries
  • The sides remain divided over sanctions, the naval blockade, and the security of the Strait of Hormuz

Statements by the Iranian Leadership

Deputy Chief of the General Staff of Iran's Armed Forces Keyumars Heydari said in a televised interview with the state broadcaster IRIB that American military bases and interests are within range of Iranian missiles and drones. According to him, the confrontation with Washington has escalated into a regional war, and in the event of a new attack, Tehran is ready to strike targets outside the region. He added that if aviation attacks Iran from the territory of a third country, Tehran may launch retaliatory strikes against comparable targets in that country, and that a list of potential targets has been prepared and extends beyond the zones of previous hostilities. Heydari also stated that Iranian forces allegedly pushed American troops out of the Persian Gulf and forced US warships to withdraw hundreds of kilometers from Iran's borders.

Warning About Europe

Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei wrote the same day on the social network X that 'every military base involved in the aggression' will be a legitimate target — 'from West Asia to Europe.' 'No safe distance, no safe haven, no immunity,' he wrote. Earlier, Rezaei warned that Iran could attack US bases 'in remote areas that we have not yet attacked,' and explicitly suggested strikes on 'some American military bases in European countries,' as well as on islands considered beyond the reach of Iranian missiles. Both statements were made on the same day and reinforce each other: the military official spoke of readiness to strike beyond the region, while the political oversight body specified this as a threat directed at Europe.

Context of the Confrontation

Tensions between Tehran and Washington have continued since the start of the American-Israeli offensive against Iran on February 28. The sides remain at odds over the implementation of the memorandum of understanding reached on June 18 in Islamabad: disputes over sanctions, the US naval blockade, and security measures in the Strait of Hormuz have been named as obstacles to ending the war. The statements by the Iranian side are in the nature of warnings about a hypothetical response in the event of a new attack; no resumption of hostilities or retaliatory steps by the US is reported in the publications.