U.S. eyes larger Greenland consulate as Western nations step up Arctic presence

Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, has drawn renewed international attention amid persistent rhetoric from the United States about acquiring the Arctic island and a growing diplomatic presence by Western nations in its capital Nuuk.

The U.S. consulate in Nuuk, the only permanent American diplomatic mission in Greenland, is located in a modest red wooden building. Originally opened in the mid-20th century, the consulate was closed in 1953 and reopened on June 10, 2020, operating under the U.S. Embassy in Denmark.

In January, the United States announced plans to relocate the consulate to a newly constructed high-rise building in the city center.

The new facility, expected to occupy roughly 3,000 square meters in the building's basement and to be fitted with bulletproof glass, will mark a sharp contrast with the current site.

Consulate staff said they do not yet know when the move will take place, noting that the new building has not yet opened.

Residents living near the future site said they were aware of the planned relocation. When asked whether it would affect their daily lives, many declined to comment. A small number of locals who agreed to be interviewed stressed that Greenland is not for sale.

"They have been here for many years already, the U.S. bases. Maybe we can cooperate with them in some way but we don't need to be sold to the U.S.," said a local resident.

Diplomatic activities in Nuuk have increased in recent weeks. France and Canada both opened consulates in the city on Friday. Canada said the new mission would help deepen cooperation with Greenland in areas including Arctic security, climate change and trade.

Iceland established its consulate in Nuuk in 2013, and Canada and Iceland are set to share the same office building.

France, which has announced plans to open a consulate, has yet to secure permanent premises.

Analysts say the expansion of diplomatic missions by multiple Western countries reflects Greenland's growing importance in the Arctic's strategic landscape, underscoring how the region is becoming a focal point of international attention and geopolitical competition.

U.S. eyes larger Greenland consulate as Western nations step up Arctic presence

Iran will deliver a "devastating" response if it comes under military attack, Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Tuesday, while stressing that Iran has never ruled out diplomacy in dealing with the United States.

Speaking at a press conference in Tehran about the negotiations between Iran and the U.S., Baghaei said that Israel has been deliberately portraying Iran's peaceful nuclear program as a so-called "Iranian nuclear crisis" and plays a destructive role in any potential talks between Iran and the U.S.

Baghaei called on the U.S. to ensure its foreign policy is not influenced by Israel.

"We cannot enter a diplomatic process without considering what has occurred over the past 10 to 15 years, and even the actions of the U.S. over the last seven to eight months. All of these require us to be extremely cautious in any diplomatic process. At the same time, we have repeatedly emphasized that Iran has never shied away from diplomatic channels," said Baghaei.

Responding to the U.S. sanctions and threats, the spokesman blasted the U.S. for being obsessed with using economic means to exert pressure, accusing the U.S. of talking diplomacy while simultaneously intensifying pressure on Iran behind closed doors.

He also reiterated that any military aggression against Iran by the U.S. or Israel would be met with a firm and forceful response.

Iranian public opinion generally views current Iran-U.S. relations as a complex game balancing diplomacy and military pressure. With no concrete solutions yet on core disputes such as missile-related issues, whether the two sides will reach an agreement or slide into confrontation remains to be seen.

Iran warns of 'devastating' response if attacked: spokesman