Iran-Israel conflict
TEHRAN
Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva Ali Bahreini has reaffirmed Iran’s right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
HE said on Wednesday that Tehran had warned Washington that it would face a “crushing response” if the United States directly participated in Israel’s military operations.
In Iran’s view, the United States is “an accomplice in Israel’s attacks,” Bahreini told reporters, Reuters reported. He did not specify what action Iran might take, but added that Iran had set a red line and that if the United States crossed it, Tehran would respond.
Israel launched its airstrikes on Friday after Iran said it was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. While Iran denies having nuclear weapons, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday called for the “unconditional surrender” of the Iranian regime.
Bahreini called Trump’s comments “completely unnecessary and very hostile.” “We cannot ignore these words,” he said. We are sensitive to what Trump says and we take that into account in our calculations and assessments.”
The United States has so far taken only indirect steps to help Israel, including helping to shoot down missiles fired from Iran toward Israel. However, three US officials told Reuters that Washington was sending more warplanes to the Middle East and extending the deployment of fighter jets.
In response to the US military moves, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations said: “I am confident that the Iranian armed forces will respond in a forceful, proportionate and timely manner. We are closely monitoring the level of US involvement… We will respond whenever necessary.”
Reuters reported, citing Iranian domestic media, that thousands of Iranian citizens evacuated Tehran and other major Iranian cities on Wednesday.
