Iran threatens to hit US bases in the Middle East: What is the threat level?
Share this @internewscast.com

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

On Friday, Iran declared that the United States, as a “supporter” of Israel, “will be fully responsible” for the series of overnight attacks carried out by Jerusalem on Tehran. These attacks targeted Iran’s nuclear and military sites, along with high-ranking officials, heightening fears of retaliatory actions against U.S. bases near Iran.

Iran’s mission to the United Nations addressed a letter to the UN Security Council, denouncing the assaults that resulted in the deaths of four military commanders, one Iranian official purportedly linked to nuclear discussions with the U.S., and two nuclear scientists. The letter stated that Israel’s behavior in the area presents a “significant threat to international security.”

However, earlier in the week, ahead of a scheduled meeting between Washington and Tehran in Oman to discuss nuclear negotiations, Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh warned that Iran might target U.S. bases in the Middle East if Israel were to strike Iran again.

Strike in Tehran

Smoke rises after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

The U.S. military has at least 19 sites spread across the region, eight of which are considered to be permanent, according to the Council on Foreign Relations. 

These sites are located in countries that border or are geographically near Iran, including Bahrain, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates. 

But Iran’s lack of immediate defensive response to Israel’s Thursday night strike has prompted questions over whether Tehran would be able to pick a fight with the U.S. and create a third front. 

A United States Air Force cargo plane maneuvers on the runway after it landed at the Incirlik Air Base, in the outskirts of the city of Adana, southeastern Turkey, Wednesday, July 29, 2015. After months of reluctance, Turkish warplanes started striking militant targets in Syria last week, and also allowed the U.S. to launch its own strikes from Turkey's strategically located Incirlik Air Base. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)

A United States Air Force cargo plane maneuvers on the runway after it landed at the Incirlik Air Base, on the outskirts of the city of Adana, southeastern Turkey, Wednesday, July 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) (The Associated Press)

“Given the fact that in January 2020, Iran launched short-range, precision strike ballistic missiles at U.S. bases in Iraq for killing Qasem Soleimani – the regime’s chief terrorist – this is not a theoretical exercise,” Iran expert with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies Benham Ben Taleblu told Fox News Digital. “The regime has proven an ability to land blows at these bases before.

“It is possible, and it’s not theoretical, given that the regime has done this in the past and lived to tell the tale,” he added. 

Ben Taleblu said he believes that Iran, at this moment, is looking to make sure the U.S. is not only uninterested in engaging in direct conflict against Tehran, but could even distance itself from Israel.

Al-Asad air base

U.S. Army soldiers train at al-Asad air base in Western Iraq.  (Source: U.S. Army )

“There is a political element to the regime continuously threatening America, which is to try to take advantage of the desire for de-escalation that exists in America,” the expert added. “To try to put as much daylight between America and Israel as possible, and to turn America from an ally or partner of Israel, into just observer of yet another Middle East crisis. 

“This is how Tehran is politically, trying to put America on the sidelines when militarily, it might struggle – militarily, it would struggle,” Ben Taleblu added.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
The key to solving your relationship problems might come down to your emojis, new study reveals

New Study Suggests Emojis Could Be the Secret to Resolving Relationship Issues

Emojis can improve relationships, according to new research. American researchers suggest that…
Marvel Cinematic Universe Disney+ series 'Ironheart' highlights importance of representation for girls of color in STEM fields

Disney+ series ‘Ironheart’ from the Marvel Cinematic Universe emphasizes the significance of representation for girls of color in STEM fields

CHICAGO (WLS) — Marvel is putting Chicago on the map. The Griffin…
Alabama teen zapped by lightning strike through phone charger inside her home

Alabama Teen Struck by Lightning Through Phone Charger Indoors

A teenager in Alabama experienced a temporary memory loss after a lightning…
Lawsuit says Trump's immigration crackdown has put LA 'under siege' in defiance of federal law

Lawsuit Claims Trump’s Immigration Policies Have Left Los Angeles ‘Under Siege,’ Violating Federal Law

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A federal lawsuit filed Wednesday accuses President Donald…
Florida bomb squad demonstrates damage fireworks can inflict using watermelon

Florida Bomb Squad Uses Watermelon to Show Potential Fireworks Damage

A Florida police bomb squad used explosives on various household items to…
Northeast Florida law enforcement's three-day sting nets 33 arrests

Three-day sting operation in Northeast Florida leads to 33 arrests

The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office has named their recent operation ‘Operation…
Several people injured after shooting incident at Georgia shopping mall: police

Multiple Injuries Reported Following Shooting at Georgia Mall, Police Say

Several people, including one juvenile, were injured at a mall in Savannah,…
Mugshot of Travis Caleb Decker, wanted for murder.

DNA Discovery on Handprints Intensifies Travis Decker Murder Investigation Amid Exhaustive Five-Week Search

POLICE have new evidence that links a father to the murder scene…
Florida teen threatens to shoot up McDonald's after $5 order is messed up: police

Florida Teenager Allegedly Threatens McDonald’s with Gun over Incorrect $5 Order: Police Report

A teenager in Florida is in custody after allegedly threatening to open…
New Jersey man Ishaan Sharma gets pummeled after instigating fight on Frontier Airline flight

New Jersey Man Ishaan Sharma Gets Beaten After Provoking Fight on Frontier Airlines Flight

He took the black-eye flight. A man from New Jersey ended up…
Tunnel to Towers Celebrates Independence Day by Delivering 25 Mortgage-Free Homes to Heroes

Tunnel to Towers Commemorates Independence Day by Gifting 25 Mortgage-Free Homes to American Heroes

As America marks its Independence Day, Frank Siller, the Chairman and CEO…
Woman holding a photo of a younger woman with a bird.

Virginia Giuffre’s Emotional Diary Sheds Light on Epstein Victim’s Troubling Last Months

VIRGINIA Giuffre’s diary leading up to her tragic suicide has shown just…