In response to US President Donald Trump’s warning of bombings, Iran has reportedly readied its missiles to target “US-related positions.” According to Tehran Times, Iran has placed its missiles in ready-to-launch mode within underground facilities.
Trump, speaking to NBC News on Sunday, warned that if Tehran does not reach an agreement with the US regarding its nuclear program, bombings will follow. He also added that secondary tariffs would be imposed if no deal is reached. Speaking further on Sunday evening while en route from Florida to Washington, Trump emphasized that if Iran refuses to negotiate, “it’s going to be a bad situation.”
During his first term, Trump withdrew the US from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the nuclear deal that imposed strict restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanction relief.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN’s nuclear watchdog, reported in February that Iran has accelerated the production of uranium close to weapon-grade levels.
In response to Trump’s latest call for fresh negotiations, Iran has ruled out direct talks with the US but has expressed willingness for indirect negotiations. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a televised Cabinet meeting, stated, “We don’t avoid talks; it’s the breach of promises that has caused issues for us so far.” He further said, “They (US) must prove that they can build trust.”
The “US-related positions” mentioned in the Tehran Times report likely refer to American military bases in the Middle East, which Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf has labeled as “vulnerable to Iran’s attacks.”
Additionally, Iran recently released a video showcasing its underground missile facility, known as the “missile city” by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), signaling a heightened state of preparedness.
