Iran warns of response if US crosses ‘red line’ amid Israeli strikes
The United States is “complicit” in Israel’s strikes on Iran, Tehran’s ambassador to the United Nations claimed on Wednesday, June 18, vowing that his country would respond if Washington crosses a “red line.”
Following decades of hostility and a prolonged shadow conflict, Israel launched a surprise air campaign on Thursday, June 13, which it says is aimed at stopping Iran from developing nuclear weapons — a goal Tehran denies.
Early Wednesday, June 18, Iran said it had fired hypersonic missiles at Israel in the latest round of overnight exchanges between the regional adversaries.
Former US President Donald Trump stated that Washington has played no role in Israel’s bombing campaign but warned Iran that his patience was running out.
“We firmly believe that the United States is complicit in what Israel is doing,” Iranian ambassador Ali Bahreini told reporters during a press conference.
“And at any time, at any point, if we come to the conclusion that the United States is directly involved in attacks against Iran, we will start responding to the United States.”
Bahreini said Tehran was closely monitoring Trump’s “completely unwarranted” and “hostile” rhetoric.
“There is a line which, if crossed, there should be a response on our side… once the red line is crossed, the response will come,” he warned.
“We will respond strongly and we will stop aggression from any side, be it Israel or the United States,” Bahreini added during remarks to the UN correspondents’ association.
“And we have given a message to the United States that we will respond very firmly and will stop the aggression by anybody — including the United States.”
He reiterated Tehran’s resolve, saying it was “resolute in responding to Israeli attacks.”
“We will respond very, very, very seriously and strongly, and that is what we are doing now. Nobody should expect Iran to show any kind of restraint,” Bahreini said.
He also condemned the stance of Western and European countries, accusing them of turning a blind eye to Israel’s actions.
“Not only are they not condemning the attacks and aggression, they are trying to justify the aggression,” he said.
When asked about the possibility of resuming nuclear negotiations with Washington, Bahreini replied that, for now, Iran was “not thinking about any scenario” other than “defending ourselves.”
Addressing the UN Human Rights Council on Wednesday, June 18, Bahreini warned Israel’s allies.
“The Israeli regime’s supporters, and the United States at the forefront, should know that supporting this regime means directly supporting international humanitarian and human rights law violations,” he said.
