Iran Declares U.S. Regional Bases Legitimate Targets Following Trump Threat
Updated (4 articles)
Iran Sends UN Letter Threatening U.S. Facilities Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, delivered a letter on Feb 19, 2026 stating that any “hostile forces” U.S. bases, facilities or assets in the region would be treated as legitimate targets under Article 51 of the UN Charter, framing retaliation as a right of self‑defence [1]. The warning directly responded to President Donald Trump’s Feb 18 social‑media post suggesting the use of Diego Garcia and Fairford bases against Iran [1]. Iran pledged a “decisive and proportional” response should aggression occur [1].
Envoy Accuses Washington of Public Threats Iravani accused the United States of issuing “explicit public threats,” calling for an urgent Security Council meeting to address the escalating rhetoric [1]. He warned that a U.S. strike could produce “catastrophic regional consequences,” echoing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s earlier warning that any attack on Iran might spark a broader war [1]. The envoy emphasized that Iran’s response would be measured yet firm, aligning with international law [1].
U.S. Maintains Extensive West Asian Military Presence The United States operates at least 19 bases across West Asia, including the Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain and the al‑Udeid Air Base in Qatar [1]. Its deployed assets feature F‑22/F‑35 fighters, EA‑18G jammers, F‑15E/F‑16 aircraft, 13 naval vessels, and the carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, with a second carrier en route [1]. This footprint underscores the strategic depth that Iran claims to target if hostilities arise [1].
Iran Conducts Joint Live‑Fire Drill With Russia In parallel with diplomatic warnings, Iranian forces completed a complex live‑fire naval exercise with the Russian navy in the southern Persian Gulf [1]. The drill involved manoeuvres, navigation drills and air‑surface coordination, aimed at bolstering maritime security and showcasing naval diplomacy [1]. The exercise signals Iran’s readiness to defend its interests alongside a major global partner [1].
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Timeline
June 23, 2025 – Iran attacks Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, prompting U.S. personnel to evacuate the region’s largest base and demonstrating Tehran’s willingness to target U.S. facilities after earlier American strikes on Iranian nuclear sites that month [3].
Summer 2025 – The Trump administration conducts a bombing campaign using B‑2 bombers that drop 14 large bombs on two Iranian nuclear installations without U.S. casualties, framing the operation as a major victory and setting a precedent for future U.S. actions against Iran [2].
Jan 15, 2026 – Analysts warn that a U.S. strike aimed at regime change could provoke a far stronger Iranian response than earlier in the year, noting Tehran may abandon restraint if Washington moves toward toppling the regime [3].
Jan 15, 2026 – Experts map possible U.S. targets, emphasizing that civilian‑dense IRGC, Basij and police command centers constrain strike options and that hitting leadership or IRGC commercial networks would be difficult because officials disperse and hide [2].
Jan 15, 2026 – Analysts outline U.S. long‑range strike options, citing Tomahawk and JASSM missiles launched from offshore platforms and drones, while noting the nearest carrier, USS Abraham Lincoln, remains in the South China Sea, limiting immediate naval action [2].
Jan 15, 2026 – The United States maintains roughly 40,000 troops across about 63 bases in the region, including ~10,000 at Al Udeid, underscoring the scale of the U.S. footprint that any Iranian retaliation could threaten [3].
Jan 15, 2026 – Experts say Iran could retaliate through proxy militias in Iraq and Syria, allowing Tehran to strike U.S. assets without a direct missile launch and raising the risk of broader escalation [3].
Jan 15, 2026 – Analysts identify the Strait of Hormuz as a potential leverage point, noting that mining or attacking the strait could disrupt 20 % of global oil and gas trade but would also harm Iran’s own exports, making it a last‑resort option [3].
Jan 29, 2026 – The United States prepares limited precision air and naval strikes within days, targeting IRGC and Basij bases, ballistic‑missile sites and nuclear facilities, while emphasizing that the operation would be highly targeted rather than a full‑scale invasion [1].
Jan 29, 2026 – Iran warns that its “finger is on the trigger” and threatens concealed ballistic missiles and drones launched from caves, underground sites or remote mountainsides in response to any U.S. attack [1].
Jan 29, 2026 – Analysts project that a U.S. strike could trigger regime‑change scenarios ranging from total collapse to a hardened IRGC‑led military government that curtails proxy support and nuclear ambitions, reflecting lessons from Iraq and Libya [1].
Jan 29, 2026 – Experts caution that a U.S. attack could spark ethnic tensions among Kurds, Baluchis and other minorities, potentially igniting civil war, a refugee crisis and wider Middle‑East destabilization [1].
Jan 29, 2026 – Iran signals that regional targets could include U.S. bases in Bahrain and Qatar and critical infrastructure in Jordan or Israel, using swarm attacks of high‑explosive drones and fast torpedo boats that could overwhelm naval defenses [1].
Jan 29, 2026 – Disruption of the Strait of Hormuz would affect global markets, as the narrow waterway carries roughly 20 % of LNG and 20‑25 % of oil annually, and Iran’s rapid sea‑mine deployment capability could raise oil prices and hinder world trade [1].
Feb 18, 2026 – President Trump posts on social media threatening to use Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford bases against Iran, prompting Iran’s UN envoy to label the statement an “explicit public threat” and call for urgent Security Council action [4].
Feb 19, 2026 – Iran sends a UN letter stating that any regional U.S. bases, facilities or assets of “hostile forces” will be treated as legitimate targets under Article 51 of the UN Charter, pledging a decisive and proportional response to any aggression [4].
Feb 20, 2026 – Iran’s UN ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani warns that U.S. aggression could trigger catastrophic regional consequences and cites Trump’s recent threat as evidence of “explicit public threats” that justify Iran’s self‑defence claim [4].
Feb 20, 2026 – Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warns that any attack on Iran would spark a broader regional war, reinforcing Tehran’s resolve amid stalled U.S.–Iran talks [4].
Feb 20, 2026 – The United States operates at least 19 bases in West Asia, including the Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain and al‑Udeid Air Base, and fields F‑22/F‑35 fighters, EA‑18G jammers, F‑15E/F‑16 aircraft, 13 naval vessels, the carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and a second carrier en route, illustrating the depth of U.S. military power in the region [4].
Feb 20, 2026 – Iran conducts a joint live‑fire naval drill with Russia in the southern Persian Gulf, showcasing coordinated maritime capabilities and signaling strengthened naval diplomacy amid rising tensions [4].