Iran tells Iraq its response will target US military bases in the region

BAGHDAD — Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein on Saturday that Iran’s response to joint Israeli and U.S. strikes would target American military bases in the region, while saying the action would be “limited to military sites” and would not target the countries hosting them.

Araghchi reviewed “developments of the military situation in Iran following the recent attacks” and said Tehran would continue to defend itself, framing the response as “the right to self-defense,” according to Iraq’s Foreign Ministry.

Hussein reaffirmed Iraq’s rejection of military escalation, saying “war cannot be a means to resolve problems” and calling dialogue and de-escalation “the best way to address crises in a manner that preserves the security and stability of the region.”

The United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes against multiple targets in Iran, including sites in Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Karaj and Kermanshah. Iranian forces have since launched missiles and drones toward Israel and U.S. military bases in the region.