UNITED NATIONS: The United States has warned Iran of severe repercussions if it targets American citizens, military installations, or infrastructure amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s military and nuclear sites.
“Our top priority remains the safety of U.S. personnel, citizens, and forces in the region,” said McCoy Pitt, Senior Bureau Official at the U.S. Bureau of International Organization Affairs, during a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting. His remarks were reported by Turkey’s Anadolu Agency.
The statement came as Israel’s recent airstrikes reportedly killed at least 20 senior Iranian officials, including top commanders and nuclear scientists, triggering a series of missile attacks from Iran in retaliation.
Pitt delivered a pointed message to Tehran: “Let me be absolutely clear—any attack on U.S. citizens, military bases, or facilities will carry grave consequences for Iran.” He noted that Israel had informed Washington in advance of its actions, framing them as acts of self-defence.
The UNSC convened amid growing concerns of a broader regional conflict. Iranian Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani condemned the Israeli strikes and accused the U.S. of complicity. “Those supporting Israel, especially the United States, share responsibility for these escalating tensions,” Iravani told the Council, warning that diplomacy was being deliberately undermined.
Meanwhile, Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon accused Iran of edging toward open conflict, stating that Tel Aviv had exercised restraint despite the mounting threat. “We chose diplomacy. Iran chose deception,” Danon said, adding that intelligence assessments suggested Iran was close to producing enough enriched uranium for multiple nuclear weapons.
U.S. President Donald Trump, addressing the nuclear issue, revealed that Tehran had been given a 60-day deadline—now expired—to return to talks. A sixth round of negotiations, previously scheduled in Oman, now faces uncertainty amid rising hostilities.
UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi confirmed that Iran’s Natanz pilot enrichment facility had been destroyed in the Israeli strikes, and additional attacks had been reported at nuclear sites in Fordow and Isfahan.
Despite the escalation, Pitt emphasized Washington’s continued pursuit of a diplomatic solution: “Iran must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons or destabilize the region,” he said. While the U.S. was informed about Israel’s strikes beforehand, Pitt clarified that the U.S. had not taken part in the military operations.
