Iran inaugurated a new air base near its eastern border with Afghanistan on Monday. The new base is part of Tehran’s plan to position itself for conflict with the United States, as it is strategically located near Afghanistan, where the U.S. has a strong presence.

Iranian state television reported Tuesday that the new Gayem al-Mohammad air base would be used to protect the country against a possible strike by forces operating in Afghanistan. The base, located near the city of Birjand, enhances the presence of Iran’s air force in the eastern part of the country, which currently has fewer air bases than western Iran.

Gayem al-Mohammed, which deploys fighter jets and uses a modern radar system, is intended to enable Iranian forces to respond “swiftly and strongly” to any attack, the head of Iran’s air force stated.

“Our enemies must know that if they attempt to attack our country, we will teach them a lesson they will never forget,” Gen. Ahmad Mighani said.

This follows other similar threats in recent months by Iranian officials. Last month, Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said that if an attack on Iran took place, “the aggressors will receive a painful lesson, and their actions will cause harm to the entire region.”

Back in June, Iran’s former defense minister, Adm. Ali Shamkhani, said Tehran would launch a “missile blitz” against American bases and the Persian Gulf states that host them if U.S. forces struck Iran’s nuclear facilities. As he made a similar threat the same month, Iran’s Deputy Interior Minister Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr pointed out that “all U.S. bases in the region” are “within the range'’ of Iranian weapons.

Iran is maintaining an aggressive stance as it faces rumors of a possible impending strike by the U.S. The opening of the new air base, which is part of a larger military buildup currently under way in Iran, indicates that Tehran is prepared to back up its rhetoric with action. At the same time, such moves only strengthen its negotiating position should further public talks with the U.S. proceed.