Iran warns it will target UK, US and French bases in region if they help defend Israel
Tehran, Iran (June 14, 2025) – Iran issued a stark warning today, declaring that any military bases belonging to the United States, United Kingdom, or France used to support Israeli defensive operations against Iranian attacks would become "legitimate targets" for retaliation.
The threat, delivered by a senior commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), escalates already dangerous tensions following Iran's unprecedented direct drone and missile assault on Israel last month. That attack, largely intercepted with significant assistance from the US, UK, France, and regional allies, was itself framed by Iran as retaliation for an earlier strike on its diplomatic compound in Damascus, widely attributed to Israel.
"Should these countries participate in any potential action by the Zionist regime against Iran's interests, our reciprocal response will be decisive and extensive," stated the IRGC commander. He explicitly named key Western installations: "We have identified all the enemy's bases, including Al-Udeid (Qatar), Al-Dhafra (UAE), and those belonging to the UK and France. None will be safe if they facilitate aggression against Iran."
The warning underscores Iran's attempt to deter direct Western military involvement in any future confrontation with Israel. US bases in Qatar and the UAE serve as critical hubs for regional operations and air defense, while the UK and France maintain smaller but significant presences.
Western powers condemned the threat. A Pentagon spokesperson reiterated that US forces are in the region for defensive purposes and to support partners, adding, "Threats are unproductive." The UK and French governments echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing their right to self-defense and the defense of allies.
This explicit threat significantly raises the stakes. It signals Iran's willingness to broaden any future conflict beyond Israel, directly challenging major NATO powers. The statement aims to fracture the international coalition that defended Israel during the April attack and complicate future coordination. Analysts warn it increases the risk of a wider regional war, forcing Western capitals to carefully calculate their next moves while reinforcing defenses around vulnerable bases. The prospect of retaliatory strikes on Western soil, long considered a red line, now looms larger.
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