Amid escalating hostilities in the Middle East, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Ali Bahreini, has issued a stern warning, accusing the United States of being “complicit” in Israel’s ongoing airstrikes on Iranian targets. He vowed that Tehran would not hesitate to retaliate if it determines Washington has crossed a “red line.”
Speaking at a press conference in New York on Wednesday, Bahreini delivered a chilling message: “We will respond strongly and stop aggression from any side — be it Israel or the United States.”
Tensions at a Boiling Point
The remarks come as Iran claimed it fired hypersonic missiles at Israel in a new round of retaliatory strikes — the latest episode in a long-brewing confrontation between the two regional powerhouses. The current air campaign, which Israel launched on June 13, is being portrayed by Israeli officials as a preemptive operation to block Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, a claim Tehran vehemently denies.
While U.S. President Donald Trump has maintained that America is not involved in Israel’s operations, he has also issued stark warnings to Iran, suggesting that American patience is running out.
Bahreini dismissed those comments as “hostile and completely unwarranted,” warning that Iran is closely monitoring U.S. rhetoric and actions.
“There is a line which, if crossed, there should be a response on our side,” he said. “Once the red line is crossed, the response will come.”
“We Will Not Show Restraint”
The ambassador’s message was unequivocal: Iran will defend itself “very, very, very seriously and strongly,” and no one should expect restraint. He added that Tehran was “resolute in responding to Israeli attacks” and emphasized that the conflict had moved beyond diplomacy — for now.
“We are not thinking about any scenario other than defending ourselves,” Bahreini stated when asked about potential nuclear negotiations with Washington.
He also directed sharp criticism at Western and European powers, accusing them of not only failing to condemn Israeli aggression but of actively trying to justify it.
“Not only are they not condemning the attacks and aggression, they are trying to justify the aggression,” he charged.
A Warning at the UN Human Rights Council
Addressing the UN Human Rights Council, Bahreini extended his criticism to Israel’s international allies. He warned that countries supporting Israel — especially the United States — are directly supporting violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws.
“The Israeli regime’s supporters… should know that supporting this regime means directly supporting international law violations,” he declared.
Global Implications and Unanswered Questions
The intensifying rhetoric between Tehran and Washington, coupled with the active military exchanges between Israel and Iran, has raised international alarm over the possibility of a broader regional war. While no direct clash has occurred between U.S. and Iranian forces, Bahreini’s threat introduces a new level of unpredictability.
As the world watches the evolving crisis, several critical questions remain unanswered:
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Will Iran strike U.S. assets if it believes America has aided Israel?
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Can diplomacy still be salvaged amidst the fire and fury?
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And perhaps most urgently: where is the line, and what happens when it’s crossed?
For now, the situation teeters on a knife’s edge — and the next move could shape the region’s future for years to come.
