Iran announced that it successfully test-fired an advanced missile equipped with a two-ton warhead, significantly ratcheting up its war machine amid nuclear negotiations with the United States and threats of attacks on U.S. military installations.
Iran hailed the missile test as "a new achievement in its military capabilities" as part of the country’s "broader efforts to enhance its military readiness and defense power amid ongoing regional tensions."
"Our most recent achievement came last week when we successfully tested a missile carrying a two-ton warhead, with excellent results," Iranian defense minister Aziz Nasirzadeh publicly disclosed on Wednesday after a cabinet meeting. "We have made very good progress in defense affairs. Our operational forces are fully equipped."
The test comes alongside U.S. preparations to evacuate embassy compounds in Iraq and other locations following Iranian threats.
Nasirzadeh promised earlier in the day that the Islamic Republic would attack American outposts across the Middle East if nuclear negotiations with the Trump administration stall.
"Some officials on the other side threaten conflict if negotiations don't come to fruition," the Iranian minister said. "If a conflict is imposed on us ... all U.S. bases are within our reach and we will boldly target them in host countries."
The State Department authorized preparations to evacuate its embassy compound in Iraq hours later, with officials citing "heightened security risks in the region." Non-essential personnel stationed in Kuwait and Bahrain will also leave their posts.
A State Department official confirmed to the Washington Free Beacon that some staff will vacate the embassy in Iraq, but would not disclose a specific reason for the decision.
"Based on our latest analysis, we decided to reduce the footprint of our Mission in Iraq," a State Department official said. "President Trump is committed to keeping Americans safe, both at home and abroad. In keeping with that commitment, we are constantly assessing the appropriate personnel posture at all our embassies."
The UK Maritime Trade Operations, a British maritime security agency, issued an unusual warning Wednesday, citing "increasing regional tension" that could escalate military activity and pose direct threats to seafarers in the Persian Gulf and surrounding waters.
Diplomatic talks with Iran, meanwhile, are expected to enter their sixth round later this week, though the two sides have reached an impasse over Tehran’s demand that it be allowed to continue enriching uranium, the key component in an atomic bomb. The Trump administration and its allies in Congress have made clear in recent weeks that Iran may not maintain an enrichment program as part of any potential deal.
Iran’s push to triple its nuclear power output also has the potential to scuttle negotiations. Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, said Tehran will be capable of generating up to 3,000 megawatts of nuclear power as its advancement hardware becomes operational. Russian president Vladimir Putin earlier this month agreed to extend a line of credit to Iran for a new nuclear facility in the country and to expand operations at an existing plant.
President Donald Trump told Fox News on Tuesday that Tehran "is acting much differently in negotiations than it did just days ago," saying its leaders are "much more aggressive."
"It’s surprising to me," Trump said. "It’s disappointing."
Trump has repeatedly vowed to green-light military action if negotiations fail. Gen. Michael Kurilla, head of the United States Central Command, confirmed before Congress on Tuesday that he has "provided the secretary of defense and the president a wide range of options" to strike Tehran’s nuclear sites.
Iran has, in turn, amplified its own military rhetoric, stating that its advanced ballistic missile program remains active and capable of striking targets all across the Middle East.
"In case of any conflict, [the] US must leave [the] region because all its bases are within our range, and we will target all of them in the host countries regardless," the Iranian defense minister said in additional remarks on Wednesday. Should nuclear talks fail, "the casualties of the other party will definitely be much heavier than ours."
Iran also claimed this week to have successfully stolen a "treasure trove" of secret Israeli documents, including military plans. Tehran's Supreme National Security Council said this information armed the Islamic Republic with "a list of locations and sites that can be targeted in case of any provocation by Israel."