Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi warned that Iran could attack U.S. military bases in the Gulf if the U.S. strikes Iran [1].

This escalation marks a significant breakdown in diplomacy during the 2026 Iran-U.S. war, threatening to expand the conflict into neighboring Gulf states and disrupt regional stability.

During a media briefing in Tehran on May 15, 2026, Araghchi announced the suspension of indirect cease-fire negotiations with Washington [1, 3]. He said that the decision follows recent U.S. strikes on Iranian territory [1, 3].

Araghchi also addressed recent military actions involving other regional neighbors. He defended strikes carried out by Iran against Kuwait and Bahrain, describing them as responses to U.S. aggression [2].

"These are self-defence strikes against US attacks on our sovereign territory," Araghchi said [2].

The Foreign Minister later attended the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Russia, where the regional tensions remained a primary focus [1, 4]. He said that while Tehran has not sought nuclear capabilities, the government remains committed to protecting its citizens.

"Tehran never wanted nuclear weapons, but we will defend our people against aggression," Araghchi said [3].

The threat to U.S. bases in the Gulf comes as a direct retaliation to the ongoing hostilities and is intended to pressure the Washington administration [1, 3]. By suspending the indirect talks, Iran has removed a primary diplomatic channel used to prevent full-scale regional war.

"Iran could attack American military bases in the region if the United States strikes our country," Araghchi said [1].

“"Iran could attack American military bases in the region if the United States strikes our country."”

The suspension of indirect talks and the explicit threat to U.S. bases signal a shift from targeted retaliation to a strategy of regional deterrence. By framing strikes on Kuwait and Bahrain as self-defence, Iran is asserting a broader security perimeter, which may force Gulf Cooperation Council members to either align more closely with U.S. defense umbrellas or distance themselves from Washington to avoid becoming targets.