The U.S. will be forced to abandon its position in the Middle East if the nuclear negotiations with Iran fail because its bases in the region are within Tehran’s military reach, Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said Wednesday.

Speaking on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting in Tehran and days ahead of a sixth round of Iran-U.S. nuclear talks, Brig. General Nasirzadeh said it was “unfortunate” that “some officials from the opposing side” have made threatening remarks, including warning of military action if no agreement is made.

“In that case, the U.S. will have no choice but to leave the region, as all of its bases are within the reach of Iranian military and they will not hesitate to target all of them in their host countries,” Gen. Nasirzadeh said, according to state-owned Islamic Republic News Agency.

President Trump is seeking a new nuclear deal that would place limits on Tehran’s uranium enrichment activities. He has vowed that Iran will not have nuclear weapons and has threatened the Islamic State with bombing if no agreement is reached.

Gen. Nasirzadeh also hailed what he called Iran’s “significant achievements in defense” and confirmed last week’s launch of a missile with a two-ton warhead.

“Iran will never accept military limitations and negotiations on this subject are strictly prohibited,” he said, according to IRNA.

• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.