Iran warns of firm response if US directly joins Israeli strikes
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Iran’s UN envoy says Tehran will respond firmly if the US crosses a red line by directly participating in Israeli military actions.
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Rescue workers, police, and military inspect the site where an Iranian missile struck in Bnei Brak, near Tel Aviv, occupied Palestine, Monday, June 16, 2025. (AP)
Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva warned on Wednesday that Tehran would respond firmly to any direct US involvement in the Israeli occupation’s war on Iran.
The remarks follow days of escalating strikes between Iran and “Israel”, and come amid rising fears of a broader regional war.
Ali Bahreini, Iran’s UN envoy in Geneva, said Tehran considers the United States “complicit in what Israel is doing.”
He added that Iran has already conveyed a clear message to Washington: if the US crosses a red line by engaging directly in the conflict, Iran will respond decisively. He did not specify what exact actions would trigger a military response.
The ambassador's warning comes as the Israeli occupation intensifies its air campaign, which began last Friday.
Israeli officials claim Iran was nearing nuclear weapon capability, an accusation Tehran has strongly denied. Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful and within international legal bounds.
While the United States has not launched strikes of its own, it has taken indirect military steps to support “Israel,” including assisting in intercepting missiles and deploying additional fighter aircraft to the region.
According to three US officials cited by Reuters, some warplanes are being kept on extended duty in West Asia as tensions rise.
Trump demands Iran’s ‘unconditional surrender’ amid tensions
US President Donald Trump escalated rhetoric on Tuesday, calling for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” in a post that Tehran interpreted as a threat. Ambassador Bahreini denounced Trump’s statement as “completely unwarranted and very hostile.”
“We cannot ignore them. We are vigilant about what Trump is saying. We will put it in our calculations and assessments,” Bahreini added, suggesting that such statements would factor into Iran’s strategic decisions moving forward.
Reiterating Iran’s defensive posture, Bahreini stated, “I am confident that (Iran’s military) will react strongly, proportionally, and appropriately.” He emphasized that Tehran is closely monitoring the depth of US involvement and will react when it deems necessary.
Though the current US support for “Israel” has been limited to indirect military aid, Iranian leadership views this as part of a broader pattern of Washington’s alignment with Israeli policies. The possibility of direct US involvement remains a red line for Iran.
The rapidly worsening conflict has led to mounting international concern, with analysts warning that any direct US military action could provoke a severe regional escalation.
