Hours after former US President Donald Trump threatened Iran with “bombing” if it failed to agree to a nuclear deal, Tehran has reportedly readied its missile arsenal for potential strikes on US-linked positions worldwide. The Tehran Times claimed that a significant number of these launch-ready missiles are stationed in fortified underground facilities designed to withstand airstrikes.
Trump’s remarks came during an interview with NBC News, where he warned that if Iran refused to negotiate on his terms, it would face airstrikes of an unprecedented scale. Additionally, he hinted at the possibility of reimposing secondary tariffs on Iran and its trading partners, with a final decision expected in the coming weeks.
During his first presidency, Trump withdrew the US from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal, which had imposed restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. While he reiterated his administration’s willingness to engage in dialogue, he insisted that Iran must show commitment to limiting its nuclear ambitions.
Iran’s newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian responded to Trump’s threats by rejecting direct negotiations but indicated that indirect talks through Oman could continue. He emphasized that trust must be rebuilt, blaming past US actions for the breakdown in diplomacy.
As tensions rise, global concerns over a potential escalation in the region are mounting, with analysts warning that renewed hostilities could destabilize international security and impact global markets.