By Fariba Raad | 2025-04-07

The Iranian regime has escalated its confrontation with the West by adding US military bases to its target list while continuing to block international inspectors from monitoring its uranium enrichment program.

Iranian military commanders have been urged to launch preemptive strikes on Diego Garcia, a joint UK-US base in the Indian Ocean housing strategic bombers, a senior Iranian official told The Telegraph on March 31.

Through its state media outlet Press TV, the Iranian regime detailed alleged vulnerabilities at the base's naval facilities and bomber deployments, claiming it lies within range of Iranian missiles and drones.

The escalation comes as Tehran refuses to engage in substantive discussions about its nuclear program, despite diplomatic overtures from the United States and European countries, and to obstruct monitoring of its nuclear program.

In 2023, International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors detected uranium particles enriched to 83.7% -- -- close to the 90% threshold required for nuclear weapons production -- at the Fordow facility near Tehran.

Iranian leader Ali Khamenei has dismissed direct talks with Washington, falling back on well-worn rhetoric about "deceptive ploys aimed at dominating Iran rather than resolving disputes," as quoted in state media.

Missiles before power

Adding to regional and international tensions, the Iranian regime recently imported 1,000 metric tons of missile propellent ingredients from China.

When converted to ammonium perchlorate, the imported sodium perchlorate is enough to produce at least 260 Kheibar Shekan or 200 Haj Qassem mid-range missiles, the Financial Times reported.

This acquisition suggests Tehran is both replenishing stockpiles damaged by Israeli strikes in October 2024 and preparing for future confrontations.

Meanwhile, Iran's domestic energy crisis continues to worsen, driven by systemic corruption and resource mismanagement, analysts say.

Despite substantial oil and gas reserves, the country faces chronic energy shortages, in large part due to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) diverting resources to military projects and regional proxies.

"The operational Bushehr [nuclear power] plant and planned expansions aim to diversify supply, but funding gaps, technical limitations and sanctions hinder progress," Umud Shokri, an expert on Iran's energy sector, told Pishtaz.

"Even if fully realized, nuclear projects would only marginally reduce the 12,000 MW electricity deficit caused by aging thermal plants and growing demand."

"A new nuclear agreement could temporarily mitigate but not eliminate Iran's nuclear threats, given its history of advancing capabilities despite international accords and intelligence reports suggesting it is exploring rapid nuclear weapon designs," Shokri said.

"Past agreements included sunset clauses that permitted enrichment expansion over time, and the Islamic Republic's history of covert procurement further underscores persistent proliferation risks," he added.