Tehran threatens ‘response if Washington crosses red line'
US closing embassy in Jerusalem • Iran has 'legitimate' right to self-defense: Erdogan
GENEVA: The United States is 'complicit' in Zionist airstrikes in Iran, Tehran's ambassador to the United Nations claimed Wednesday, vowing that his country would respond if Washington crosses a 'red line'. After decades of enmity and a prolonged shadow war, Zionist entity says its surprise air campaign that began on June 13 is aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons—an ambition Tehran denies. Iran said early Wednesday that it fired hypersonic missiles at Zionist entity in the latest round of overnight strikes between the arch foes.
US President Donald Trump has said that Washington has played no part in the bombing campaign by its ally Zionist entity, but has also warned Iran that his patience is wearing thin. 'We firmly believe that the United States is complicit in what Zionist entity is doing,' Iranian ambassador Ali Bahreini told a press conference. 'And at any time, at any point, if we come to the conclusion that the United States is directly involved in attacks against Iran, we will start responding to the United States.'
He said Tehran was 'vigilant' about Trump's 'completely unwarranted' and 'hostile' remarks. 'There is a line which, if crossed, there should be a response on our side... once the red line is crossed, the response will come,' Bahreini said. 'We will respond strongly and we will stop aggression from any side, be it Zionist entity or the United States,' he told the UN correspondents' association. 'And we have given a message to the United States that we will respond very firmly and will stop the aggression by anybody—including the United States.
Bahreini also said Tehran was 'resolute in responding to attacks'. 'We will respond very, very, very seriously and strongly, and that is what we are doing now. Nobody should expect Iran to show any kind of restraint,' he said. He also criticized the attitude of Western and European nations. 'Not only they are not condemning the attacks and aggression, they are trying to justify the aggression,' he said.
Asked about a possible resumption of negotiations with Washington over Iran's nuclear program, the ambassador said that for now, Iran was 'not thinking about any scenario' other than 'defending ourselves'. Addressing the UN Human Rights Council on Wednesday, Bahreini issued a warning to Zionist entity's allies. 'The (Zionist) regime's supporters, and the United States at the forefront, should know that supporting this regime means directly supporting international humanitarian and human rights law violations,' he said.
This combination of pictures created on June 18, 2025 shows (left to right) US President Donald Trump and Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. US President Donald Trump said on June 18, 2025 that he was considering whether the United States will join strikes on Iran, as he said that Tehran had reached out to seek negotiations. - AFP
US closing embassy
Meanwhile, United States said it will close its embassy in Jerusalem until Friday amid the growing military conflict between Zionist entity and Iran, as speculation mounts about possible American intervention. 'Given the security situation and in compliance with Zionist Home Front Command guidance, the US Embassy in Jerusalem will be closed tomorrow (Wednesday, June 18) through Friday (June 20),' the embassy said in a statement posted Tuesday to its website.
On the fifth day of conflict between the Middle Eastern foes, officials also 'directed that all US government employees and their family members continue to shelter in place in and near their residences until further notice.' President Donald Trump met with his National Security Council Tuesday after calling for Iran's surrender and warning that the United States could assassinate its supreme leader if it wanted. The embassy statement said there was no current announcement about helping Americans leave the 'crisis area.'
Right to self-defense
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday Iran had the 'legitimate' right to defend itself in the face of Zionist entity's ongoing bombing campaign, now in its sixth day. 'It is a very natural, legitimate and legal right for Iran to defend itself against (Zionist) thuggery and state terrorism,' the Turkish leader said, a day after referring to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as 'the biggest threat to the security of the region'.
The long-range blitz began early Friday, when Zionist entity launched a massive bombing campaign that prompted Iran to hit back with missiles and drones, including hypersonic missiles. 'These attacks were organized while the Iranian nuclear negotiations were taking place,' Erdogan said. '(Zionist entity), which possesses nuclear weapons and does not recognize any international rules... did not wait for the negotiations to end but carried out a terrorist act without waiting for the result,' he added.
Iran says at least 224 people have been killed in the Zionist attacks, which have targeted nuclear and military facilities, while Iranian fire on Zionist entity has claimed at least 24 lives and wounded hundreds more, Netanyahu's office said. 'We are closely following terrorist attacks on Iran. All our institutions are on high alert regarding the possible effects of these attacks on Turkey,' Erdogan said. 'We are making preparations for every kind of scenario,' he said. 'Nobody should dare to test us. We don't have any desire to take other people's lands... in the region,' he added.
His remarks prompted a sharp riposte from Zionist Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who pointed to Turkey's presence in Syria and in the divided island of Cyprus, where it controls the northern part. 'It is particularly ironic that someone who does not hide his imperialist ambitions, who invaded northern Syria and illegally holds northern Cyprus, claims to speak in the name of morality and international law,' Saar wrote on X. 'A little self-awareness could be helpful,' he added. On Monday, Erdogan said he had ordered the defense industry to increase production of medium and long-range missiles to 'increase its level of deterrence' in light of the air war between Zionist entity and Iran.— AFP
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