February 20, 2026 — Iran has issued a stark warning to the United States, declaring that U.S. bases, facilities, and assets in the Middle East would be considered “legitimate targets” if the U.S. carries out military strikes.
The warning came in a letter sent by Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, addressed to Antonio Guterres and the UN Security Council president.
Context of the Warning
Iravani’s letter follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent deployment of warships, fighter jets, and other military assets to the Middle East. Trump has cited concerns over Iran’s nuclear program, although Tehran maintains it is not pursuing nuclear weapons.
The Iranian ambassador cited a social media post by Trump suggesting the U.S. might use UK military bases, including one on an Indian Ocean island, in the event Iran refuses a deal.
“Such a belligerent statement…signals a real risk of military aggression, the consequences of which would be catastrophic for the region and would constitute a grave threat to international peace and security,” Iravani wrote.
Call for Diplomatic Resolution
While warning of military repercussions, Iran reaffirmed its commitment to diplomacy. The letter stated Tehran remains open to resolving ambiguities over its nuclear program “on a reciprocal basis” and called on the UN Security Council to demand that the U.S. “immediately cease its unlawful threats of the use of force.”
Trump’s Deadline and Ongoing Tensions
Trump recently set a 15-day deadline for a deal with Iran, warning of potential military action if negotiations fail. These remarks followed indirect talks in Geneva between U.S. envoys, including Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, and Iranian diplomats. Progress has reportedly been made, but a prior negotiation attempt collapsed last June when Israel launched strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, briefly joined by U.S. forces.
Iran’s statement underscores the escalating tensions in the region, as Washington continues to apply pressure both diplomatically and militarily while Tehran warns of countermeasures.