Iran threatens US involvement will lead to ‘all-out war' — as Tehran reportedly prepping to strike American military bases
Iran bluntly threatened the US on Wednesday that any involvement in its conflict with Israel would trigger an 'all-out war' — as Tehran reportedly started prepping missiles for retaliatory strikes on American bases.
'Any American intervention would be a recipe for an all-out war in the region,' foreign ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, warned in an interview with Al Jazeera.
The foreign ministry spokesman stopped short of elaborating but thousands of American troops are based in nearby countries within range of Iran's weapons.
4 A handout picture provided by the Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's office shows him greeting the crowd.
KHAMENEI.IR/AFP via Getty Images
4 Iran State Radio and Television (IRIB) building was hit by an Israeli strike.
BERNO/SIPA/Shutterstock
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei echoed the threat on Wednesday, warning that any US strike would have 'serious irreparable consequences.'
Khamenei vowed, too, that Iran would 'never surrender' and said his country 'does not answer well to threats' as he rejected President Trump's earlier call for an unconditional surrender.
'Intelligent people who know Iran, the Iranian nation, and its history will never speak to this nation in threatening language because the Iranian nation will not surrender,' he said in a statement read out on state media.
'The Americans should know that any U.S. military intervention will undoubtedly be accompanied by irreparable damage.'
4 Esmail Baghaei, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman, at a press conference.
Foreign Ministry of Iran
Iran's spate of menacing remarks came after American officials told the New York Times that Tehran had already started preparing missiles to strike US bases in the Middle East if they joined the war — starting with those in Iraq.
Iran could also mine the Strait of Hormuz — a move that would trap American warships in the Persian Gulf, the officials said.
It comes after Trump demanded late Tuesday that Iran surrender and warned the supreme leader that the US knew where he was hiding.
'We know exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there – We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now,' Trump said in a Truth Social post.
4 The Iron Dome intercepts missiles being fired from Iran.
ABIR SULTAN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
'But we don't want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin. Thank you for your attention to this matter!'
Thousands of people were fleeing Tehran on Wednesday after Israeli warplanes bombed the city overnight.
Israel's military said 50 Israeli jets had struck around 20 targets in Tehran, including sites producing raw materials, components and manufacturing systems for missiles.
Iran retaliated with a small barrage of missiles aimed at the Jewish state.
With Post wires
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