Iran gives 'serious warning' after Israeli nuclear strike report

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Iran warned it would take action against Israel and hold the U.S. “legally responsible” if the Jewish state acts on reported plans to attack the Islamic Republic’s nuclear facilities.

In a letter addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Director-General of the UN’s nuclear watchdog, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged them to take “effective measures” against “Israeli threats.”

“We also believe that in the event of any attack on the Islamic Republic of Iran’s atomic facilities by the Zionist regime, the US government will also be a party and have legal responsibility,” the letter adds, according to a text published by the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency.

The missive follows a report by CNN — citing unnamed US officials — that Israel is preparing a possible attack on Iran’s nuclear sites. Tehran and Washington are currently engaged in indirect talks to secure a nuclear deal and are due to meet for a fifth round of negotiations in Rome on Friday.

Araghchi said his letter should be considered “a serious pre-warning” and the UN Security Council is duty-bound to take “immediate action” in the event of any armed attack or the threat of an armed attack against nuclear facilities, according to IRNA and a corresponding statement on X.

Otherwise, Iran will be compelled “to take special measures in defense of our nuclear facilities and materials” and “will not hesitate to forcefully respond to any transgression and will stop at nothing to protect its interests and people,” Araghchi said.

In a separate Thursday statement, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that any “foolishness and aggression” by Israel toward the country will lead to a “devastating and decisive response,” the semi-official Tasnim News agency reported.

It’s unclear how much the escalating rhetoric between Iran and Israel will affect the nuclear talks with the US. Earlier on Thursday Araghchi said that while their views on uranium enrichment present a major challenge to reaching a deal, they’re close to agreeing on many other areas and their talks have so far been held in a “respectful atmosphere”.