US Issues Stern Warning to Iran Over Potential Attacks on American Bases or Citizens

NEW YORK (REUTERS) — The United States has issued a stark warning to Iran, threatening “dire” repercussions if American citizens, military bases, or infrastructure are targeted amid rising regional tensions driven by Israel’s recent military actions.

“Our absolute, foremost priority is the protection of US citizens, personnel, and forces in the region,” said McCoy Pitt, a senior official with the US Bureau of International Organization Affairs, during a high-level UN Security Council (UNSC) meeting. His remarks were reported by Anadolu Agency.

Tensions have sharply escalated following Israeli strikes that killed at least 20 senior Iranian officials, including Aerospace Force Commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh and top scientists. In response, Tehran launched multiple missile attacks against Tel Aviv.

Pitt delivered a firm message at the UNSC session: “Let me be crystal clear: no government, proxy, or independent actor should target American citizens, American bases, or other American infrastructure in the region. The consequences for Iran would be dire.” He added that Washington had been notified in advance of Israel’s strikes, which were described as self-defense actions, though the US did not participate militarily.

Iran’s Ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, condemned Israel’s attacks, accusing it of trying “to kill diplomacy, sabotage negotiations, and drag the region into wider conflict.” He placed blame on Washington as well, saying its support for Israel made the US “complicit” in the escalating violence. “By aiding and enabling these crimes, they share full responsibility for the consequences,” Iravani told the council.

The crisis deepened as the international community weighed the fallout from Israeli attacks on several Iranian military and nuclear facilities. UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi confirmed that Iran’s pilot enrichment plant at Natanz had been destroyed, and additional attacks were reported at the Fordow and Isfahan nuclear sites.

Israel’s UN envoy, Danny Danon, defended his country’s actions, accusing Iran of “preparing for war” and of prolonging negotiations in bad faith. “We waited for diplomacy to work. We watched negotiations stretch on, as Iran made false concessions or refused the most fundamental conditions,” Danon said. He claimed intelligence showed Iran was on the verge of producing enough fissile material for multiple nuclear weapons.

Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump revealed he had given Iran a 60-day ultimatum—now expired—to reach a deal over its uranium enrichment activities. A sixth round of US-Iran talks had been scheduled for Sunday in Oman, though its status remains uncertain.

Despite the mounting confrontation, Pitt reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to a diplomatic resolution. “Iran’s leadership would be wise to negotiate at this time,” he said, emphasizing the US aim to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons or destabilizing the region.