Iran warned it would immediately strike U.S. military bases and aircraft carriers if attacked, sharply escalating tensions after U.S. President Donald Trump said time was running out for Tehran to agree to a new nuclear deal.
The warning came as diplomatic pressure mounted on Iran, following the European Union’s decision to blacklist Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization and renewed calls for nuclear negotiations to prevent a wider regional crisis.
Iran’s military spokesperson, Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia, said American forces in the region would be vulnerable in the event of any confrontation.
Speaking on state television, Akraminia said U.S. aircraft carriers have “serious vulnerabilities” and warned that multiple American military assets in the Gulf region are “within the range of our medium-range missiles.”
The remarks followed Trump’s public warning that Tehran must act quickly if it wants to avoid further escalation over its nuclear program.
Despite the military rhetoric, international leaders continued pushing for diplomacy.
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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged renewed negotiations, warning that failure to resume talks could “avoid a crisis that could have devastating consequences in the region,” according to UN statements.
Meanwhile, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian held a phone call focused on de-escalation efforts, with Qatar’s state news agency reporting discussions aimed at “establishing stability” and reducing regional tensions.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran remains open to negotiations with Washington, emphasizing that diplomacy remains Iran’s preferred path forward.
Speaking during a visit to Türkiye on Friday, Araghchi said any process must be grounded in “justice and law,” while reaffirming Iran’s commitment to dialogue.
“We will never give up diplomacy,” he said, stressing that negotiations — not confrontation — remain Iran’s chosen strategy despite growing pressure.
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Türkiye also weighed in on the rising tensions. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Ankara hopes the United States does not pursue military action against Iran, warning that such a move would cause “great harm” to an already fragile region.
After meetings with Iranian officials, Fidan called for mutual respect for sovereignty and rejected external domination in regional affairs. He also criticized Israel’s military actions and expansion policies, saying they have contributed to long-term instability across the Middle East.