The Reuters Gulf Currents newsletter brings you the latest on geopolitics, energy and finance in the region. Sign up here. While Araqchi said no date had yet been set for the next round of negotiations, U.S. President Donald Trump said they could take place early next week. “We and Washington believe it should be held soon,” Araqchi said. Trump has threatened to strike Iran after a U.S. naval buildup in the region, demanding that it renounce uranium enrichment, a possible pathway to nuclear bombs, as well as stopping ballistic missile development and support for armed groups around the region. Tehran has long denied any intent to weaponise nuclear fuel production. While both sides have indicated readiness to revive diplomacy over Tehran’s long-running nuclear dispute with the West, Araqchi balked at widening the talks out. “Any dialogue requires refraining from threats and pressure. (Tehran) only discusses its nuclear issue … We do not discuss any other issue with the U.S.,” he said. Last June, the U.S. bombed Iranian nuclear facilities, joining in the final stages of a 12-day Israeli bombing campaign. Tehran has since said it has halted uranium enrichment activity. Its response at the time included a missile attack on a U.S. base in Qatar, which maintains good relations with both Tehran and Washington. In the event of a new U.S. attack, Araqchi said the consequences could be similar. “It would not be possible to attack American soil, but we will target their bases in the region,” he said. “We will not attack neighbouring countries; rather, we will target U.S. bases stationed in them. There is a big difference between the two.” Iran says it wants recognition of its right to enrich uranium, and that putting its missile programme on the negotiating table would leave it vulnerable to Israeli attacks
NN: This is called playing a losing hand. And Iran is flirting with the end of the Ayatollah reign of terror. Its simple move the US assets as in fly the planes off the venerable bases. This is coming to a head.