Iran has threatened to attack US bases in the Middle East if conflict breaks out, as the long-time enemies prepare for a new round of talks amid a stalemate over uranium enrichment.

Tehran and Washington have held five rounds of talks since April to hammer out a new nuclear deal to replace the 2015 agreement that Trump pulled out of during his first term in 2018.

Since returning to office in January, Trump has renewed his campaign of “maximum pressure” on Tehran, supporting nuclear diplomacy but warning of military action if it fails.

“All of his bases are within our range, we have access to them, and we will attack them without hesitation in the countries where they are located,” Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said in response to US threats of military action if negotiations fail.

“God forbid, things will not go that far and the negotiations will succeed,” the minister said, adding that the US side “will suffer more losses” if a conflict breaks out.

The United States has numerous bases in the Middle East, the largest of which is located in Qatar.

Iran and the US recently found themselves in a diplomatic stalemate over the issue of Iran's uranium enrichment. Tehran defends it as a “non-negotiable” right, while Washington calls it a “red line.”

Trump had previously expressed optimism about the negotiations, saying during his visit to the Persian Gulf last month that Washington was “close” to reaching an agreement.

In an interview published on June 11, Trump said he was “less confident” that the US and Iran could reach an agreement, when asked if he believed he could stop Tehran from enriching uranium. | BGNES