Iran threatens Middle Eastern countries over potential US strikes

Iranian official says regime has warned Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey and Bahrain that there will be "severe consequences" if their airspace is used for an American attack on Iran's nuclear program. Iran has threatened other nations in the Middle East over the potential for American military strikes against its nuclear weapons program, even as it continues to reject direct negotiations of said nuclear program with the US, Reuters reported. An Iranian official told Reuters that the regime would only accept indirect talks with the US at this time, stating, "Indirect talks offer a chance to evaluate Washington's seriousness about a political solution with Iran."

The official also stated that Iran has given warnings to Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey and Bahrain that it will consider any assistance given to an American strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, such as permitting the aircraft used in such an attack to use their airspace, an act of hostility against Iran that will "have severe consequences for them."

US President Donald Trump on Thursday told reporters aboard Air Force One that he believes Iran wants to hold direct talks with the US about the Iranian nuclear program.“It’s better if we have direct talks. I think it goes faster and you understand the other side a lot better than if you go through intermediators,” said Trump.   (Read More)