Iran has issued a stark warning to the United States, declaring it will target American and allied military bases in the region if Tehran is attacked. The statement came from Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf during a speech at Tehran University on Friday. His comments reflect growing tensions between Iran and the U.S. following a letter sent by President Donald Trump to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Ghalibaf harshly criticized the letter, describing it as 'one of a bully,' and declared that the Iranian nation cannot be bullied or deceived. 'Any negotiations held in such an unequal environment would only pave the way for war, and no nation would accept that,' he asserted, signaling Iran’s firm stance against pressure-based diplomacy.

The warning coincides with a broader rejection of President Trump’s latest ultimatum, which reportedly gave Iran two months to agree to restart negotiations over the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the 2015 nuclear deal that the U.S. previously exited. Trump’s message, sent earlier this week, outlined that failing to re-engage in talks would lead to undisclosed consequences.

Iran responded to the letter on Wednesday, though the contents of the reply remain undisclosed. However, Iranian officials made it clear that dialogue under threats is unacceptable and counterproductive. Ghalibaf’s remarks reinforce Tehran’s resistance to what it sees as coercive tactics and underscore the risk of further escalation if diplomatic channels remain strained.

The JCPOA, once a cornerstone of international nuclear non-proliferation efforts, has become a flashpoint in U.S.-Iran relations. While some international actors advocate for its revival, Iran maintains that any talks must be conducted with mutual respect and free from threats or deadlines. The Trump administration, following the president's re-election, has maintained a firm stance demanding renegotiation on stricter terms.

As tensions persist, both sides appear entrenched in their positions. Iran’s latest warning signals a heightened risk of regional conflict if diplomatic efforts falter. Observers are closely watching how this exchange unfolds, with the future of the JCPOA—and broader Middle Eastern stability—hanging in the balance.