Tehran warns of nuclear options and infrastructure strikes if US attacks Iran

Key Points:

• Tehran has threatened to respond to renewed US and Israeli air campaigns with strikes on an expanded range of targets, including American bases, warships, and civilian infrastructure such as energy facilities, airports, and gas pipelines in the Persian Gulf region.
• Iranian officials have hinted at the potential use of nuclear weapons as a deterrent, with calls to suspend cooperation with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty if the US attacks, and warnings that countries hosting US forces would face harsh retaliation.
• Despite significant degradation of Iran's weapons stockpiles in recent operations, experts believe Iran retains a large arsenal of missiles and drones and is willing to escalate retaliatory attacks, though there is concern about overextending its military capabilities.
• Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that further attacks would endanger civilian lives and regional stability, while analysts caution that reciprocal strikes could also damage Iran’s own critical infrastructure.
• Negotiations remain stalled, with US President Donald Trump threatening military action post-midterm elections, and Israel reportedly preparing for potential strikes on Iran, though plans may have been influenced by US diplomatic interventions.