The United States has warned Iran of “dire” consequences if it targets American citizens, military bases, or infrastructure in the Middle East. U.S. envoy McCoy Pitt made the statement at a UN Security Council meeting, stressing that Washington’s priority is protecting its personnel. The warning follows Israeli strikes that killed at least 20 senior Iranian officials, including Revolutionary Guards commanders and nuclear scientists. Pitt reiterated that while Israel claimed its attacks were in self-defense, any Iranian retaliation against U.S. interests would provoke a severe response.
The UNSC meeting was held after Israel conducted strikes on Iranian military sites and nuclear facilities, leading to retaliatory missile attacks from Tehran. Iranian Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani accused Israel of sabotaging diplomacy and dragging the region into wider conflict, blaming the U.S. for enabling Israeli aggression. Meanwhile, Israel’s UN envoy, Danny Danon, claimed Iran was “preparing for war” and had stalled diplomatic efforts while advancing its nuclear program.
U.S. President Donald Trump had previously given Iran a 60-day ultimatum to negotiate over its uranium enrichment program, which expired without resolution. A planned sixth round of U.S.-Iran talks in Oman remains uncertain. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that key Iranian nuclear sites, including Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan, were damaged in recent attacks.
Despite the escalating hostilities, the U.S. insists on pursuing a diplomatic solution to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Pitt urged Tehran to return to negotiations, warning that further aggression would only worsen the crisis. With both sides exchanging threats and military strikes, the risk of a broader regional conflict continues to grow.