New Delhi: The geopolitical standoff between Iran and the United States of America has intensified, with both nations escalating their rhetoric and military preparations. After U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stark ultimatum to Iran, warning of “bombing the likes of which they have never seen before” unless it accepts the proposed nuclear deal, Tehran has responded by placing its missile arsenal on high alert.
According to state-controlled media outlet Tehran Times, Iran’s underground missile facilities, known as “missile cities,” are now fully operational and prepared to target U.S.-related positions if necessary.
๐จAlert: US Forces in Middle East on Alert! C-17 military transport planes are delivering Patriot missile batteries defense to Isa Air Base in Bahrain, 100 miles from Iran. Rapidly deployed from South Korea, the US is preparing for a major war against Iran, after Iran threatenedโฆ pic.twitter.com/kOD3SFpMUo
โ US Homeland Security News (@defense_civil25) March 31, 2025
Trump’s warning, delivered during an NBC News interview, emphasized the urgency of reaching a new nuclear agreement. “If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombing,” he stated, adding that secondary tariffs would also be imposed on Iran and its trade partners.ย
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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian responded with measured defiance, rejecting direct negotiations with the US but leaving the door open for indirect talks. “We donโt avoid talks; itโs the breach of promises that has caused issues for us so far. They must prove that they can build trust,” Pezeshkian said during a televised address.ย
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a stark warning, stating, “If [US threats] are carried out, they will definitely receive a strong counterattack.”
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) showcased its military capabilities in a recently released video, revealing advanced missile systems such as the Kheibar Shekan, Sejjil, and Emad, with ranges exceeding 1,500 miles. The footage also depicted troops stepping on an Israeli flag, underscoring Tehran’s confrontational stance. Military analysts have raised concerns about the vulnerability of these underground facilities, noting the absence of reinforced barriers that could prevent chain explosions in the event of an attack.
The US State Department reiterated its stance, warning of “bad consequences” for Iran should it reject the proposed deal. Trump, while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, expressed hope for a diplomatic resolution but warned of severe repercussions if Iran fails to comply. “I would prefer a deal to the other alternative, which I think everybody knows what that is, and that’s not going to be pretty,” he stated.
The escalating tensions have raised fears of a potential military conflict. Trump has given Iran a two-month deadline to comply with the nuclear deal, warning that failure to do so could lead to severe repercussions. Meanwhile, Iran has continued to enrich uranium to near weapons-grade levels, further alarming the international community.
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As both nations stand firm on their positions, the prospect of war looms large. The US has deployed additional aircraft carriers to the region, while Iran has hinted at targeting US bases in the Middle East. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that indirect talks with Washington might be possible, but direct negotiations remain off the table under Trump’s “maximum pressure” strategy.
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The situation underscores the fragile nature of US-Iran relations, which have been fraught with mistrust and hostility since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. With both sides unwilling to back down, the world watches anxiously as the standoff unfolds.
The heightened tensions underscore the fragile nature of US-Iran relations and the challenges of navigating nuclear diplomacy.
