Iran has accused the United States of complicity in Israel’s ongoing airstrikes, warning that any direct involvement by Washington will trigger retaliation from Tehran.
Speaking at a tense press briefing on Wednesday, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Ali Bahreini, declared that the Islamic Republic would not hesitate to respond militarily if it determines that the U.S. has crossed a “red line” in its support for Israel.
“We firmly believe that the United States is complicit in what Israel is doing,” Bahreini said. “If we come to the conclusion that the United States is directly involved in attacks against Iran, we will start responding.”
The warning follows a new phase in the long-running shadow conflict between the two Middle Eastern rivals. On June 13, Israel launched a surprise air campaign aimed at thwarting what it claims are Iran’s nuclear ambitions — a claim Tehran continues to deny.
On Wednesday morning, Iran said it fired hypersonic missiles at Israeli targets in retaliation, marking a significant escalation in an already volatile situation.
While former U.S. President Donald Trump has denied American involvement in Israel’s military actions, he has simultaneously issued warnings to Tehran, suggesting his patience is “wearing thin.”
Bahreini dismissed Trump’s remarks as “hostile” and “completely unwarranted,” but underscored that Tehran is closely watching Washington’s moves.
“There is a line which, if crossed, there should be a response,” Bahreini told reporters. “Nobody should expect Iran to show any kind of restraint.”
In his statements to the United Nations Correspondents Association, the Iranian envoy did not mince words: “We will stop aggression from any side, be it Israel or the United States.”
The ambassador also criticized Western and European governments for what he described as their silence — or worse, justification — in the face of Israeli attacks. “Not only are they not condemning the aggression, they are trying to justify it,” he said.
At the UN Human Rights Council, Bahreini issued a starker warning, accusing Israel’s allies — with the United States “at the forefront” — of enabling violations of international humanitarian law. “Supporting this regime means directly supporting violations of human rights and humanitarian norms,” he declared.
As for any return to the negotiation table with Washington over Iran’s nuclear program, Bahreini said bluntly: “We are not thinking about any scenario right now other than defending ourselves.”
With tensions rising and the region on edge, Iran’s message to the world was unmistakable: it will not sit back quietly — not anymore.
