Iranian officials issued a sharp warning to the United States on Friday, declaring that Washington “shall be held fully accountable” for its support of Israel following a series of airstrikes that targeted key Iranian nuclear facilities and killed high-ranking government officials earlier in the week.
The United Nations Mission to Iran submitted a letter to the U.N. Security Council accusing Israel of posing a “serious threat to international security,” according to a report by Fox News. The letter came as tensions escalated between Tehran, Jerusalem, and Washington over ongoing regional instability and nuclear negotiations.
Days before the strikes, Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh warned that American military bases in the region could be targeted if Israel initiated military action. “Some officials on the other side threaten conflict if negotiations don’t come to fruition,” Nasirzadeh said. “If a conflict is imposed on us, all U.S. bases are within our reach, and we will boldly target them in host countries.”
Those comments came just before American and Iranian officials were scheduled to meet in Oman to continue discussions on a potential nuclear agreement.
In response to rising threats, President Donald Trump on Thursday ordered the withdrawal of personnel from the American embassy in Iraq. Additionally, he authorized dependents of U.S. service members to leave military installations across the Middle East.
“We have a lot of American people in this area,” Trump said. “And I said, we got to tell them to get out because something could happen soon, and I don’t want to be the one that didn’t give any warning and missiles are flying into their buildings.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized in a statement that Israel had acted independently in its decision to strike Iranian targets. “We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,” Rubio said. “Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners.”
He added, “Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.”
Israeli strikes reportedly came after Iran was found to have breached nuclear nonproliferation commitments. Residents in Tehran reported hearing explosions northeast of the city early Friday morning.
President Trump had previously cautioned Israel not to take action against Iran while nuclear negotiations remained underway.
“As long as I think there is an agreement, I don’t want them going in, because I think that would blow it,” Trump said on Thursday. “Might help it, actually, but it also could blow it.”
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