Iran has readied missiles for potential response amid Trump's escalating threats

The Tehran Times has learned that Iran's armed forces have readied missiles with the capability to strike US-related positions, amid ongoing threats of military action from President Donald Trump if Tehran does not agree to a new nuclear agreement on his terms.

A significant number of these launch-ready missiles are located in underground facilities scattered across the country, designed to withstand airstrikes.

Since his inauguration in January, Trump has repeatedly stated that he would bomb Iran if the country does not make the concessions he wants. Reports indicate these concessions include the complete dismantling of its nuclear program, ties with Resistance groups, and aspects of its missiles and drones program. Iranians have refused to negotiate with the U.S. under the current circumstances, stating they are ready to respond to any aggression decisively.

Diego Garcia base:

How Iran could strike Diego Garcia. The base was in Tehran’s crosshairs because it is home to a strategic bomber force capable of striking Iran’s underground facilities.

Iran has warned that it will target British forces in the Chagos Islands if Donald Trump attacks the Middle Eastern nation.

After Mr Trump threatened military action against the regime if it did not make a deal with the US over its nuclear programme, a senior Iranian military official told The Telegraph that Tehran would strike the joint US-UK naval base on Diego Garcia in response to any US attack.

“There will be no distinction in targeting British or American forces if Iran is attacked from any base in the region or within the range of Iranian missiles,” he said on Saturday.

He added: “When the time comes, it won’t matter whether you’re an American, British, or Turkish soldier – you will be targeted if your base is used by Americans.”

Iranian state media said that Tehran would strike the Diego Garcia facility with ballistic missiles and suicide drones in retaliation for any US “hostile action against the Iranian nation”.

It warned: “Iran possesses adequate weapons for such an attack from its mainland, such as newer versions of the Khorramshahr missile that have an intermediate range, and the Shahed-136B kamikaze drone with a range of 4,000km [2,485 miles]”.

Diego Garcia base:

Diego Garcia is the largest island in the Chagos Archipelago – British sovereign territory that the Government wants to hand over to Mauritius.

The base, which has been a joint UK-US facility since the 1970s, has been a key point of contention in the deal to give up the islands.

There are believed to be about 4,000 US and British personnel on the island, made up of servicemen and civilian contractors.

As part of the Government’s proposed deal with Mauritius, Diego Garcia would be leased back to the UK at a reported annual cost of £90 million, allowing military operations to continue.

Mr Trump sent a letter to Iran’s supreme leader, urging Iran to negotiate and warning that military intervention would be “terrible”.

Iran confirmed it had responded to Mr Trump’s letter, neither rejecting talks outright nor agreeing to direct negotiations.

read more in our Telegram-channel https://t.me/The_International_Affairs