Iran has issued a warning ahead of a new round of nuclear discussions with the United States, stating it would hold Washington accountable for any Israeli assaults on its nuclear facilities.
This alert comes after reports indicated that Israel was preparing to target Iran’s nuclear sites, even as talks with the US continue.
“If the Zionist regime attacks Iran’s nuclear facilities, we believe the US government also shares responsibility and will face legal repercussions,” Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Aragci noted in a letter to the United Nations made public on Thursday.
He further asserted, “Iran will firmly caution against any reckless actions by the Zionist regime and will respond decisively to threats or misbehavior from them.”
The ongoing nuclear talks, which started on April 12, represent the highest-level communications between the two longstanding adversaries since the US withdrew from the landmark agreement with Iran and other world powers in 2018 during Donald Trump’s presidency.
The fifth round of these discussions is set to occur in Rome on Friday, with Oman acting as a mediator.
The US delegation is said to include Steve Witkoff, a friend of Trump and a notable negotiator, along with Michael Anton from the State Department, focusing on technical details.
A primary sticking point in these negotiations is uranium enrichment. The 2015 agreement, brokered by former President Barack Obama, allowed Iran to enrich uranium minimally for civilian energy use.
Currently, Iran is enriching uranium to 60%, significantly above the 3.67% limit set in that agreement but still below the 90% needed for creating nuclear weapons.
Trump, who had pledged to improve upon Obama’s deal, suggested in a recent visit to Qatar that Iran is aligned with crucial terms that could prevent military conflict.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated before Congress that the Trump administration would not allow enrichment capabilities for Iran.
“Iran’s enrichment capabilities ultimately lead them closer to nuclear weaponization,” Rubio remarked.
Iran seeks relief from sanctions imposed by Trump in 2018, which includes restrictions preventing it from securing essential gasoline exports.
When questioned, Rubio indicated that the US would continue maintaining penalties on Iran’s ballistic missile development.
“Sanctions pertaining to terrorism or ballistic missile programs will remain unless they are part of an agreement,” he stated.
While Rubio avoided commenting directly on the CNN report, he acknowledged it’s well-known that Israel is exploring military options.
Ali Mohammad Naini, spokesman for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard, recently warned of “catastrophic” consequences should Israel carry out attacks.
“If the delusional Zionist regime engages in foolishness and attacks, it will face a catastrophic and decisive reaction within its small and vulnerable territory,” Naini cautioned, as reported by Isna.
On the same day, Iran’s Army reported the addition of three new drones, including two reconnaissance types and a Kamikaze drone.
Earlier, demonstrators gathered near the Fordau nuclear enrichment plant south of Tehran, expressing support for the nation’s nuclear initiatives, waving flags and chanting slogans like “nuclear energy is our undeniable right” and “No compromise, no surrender, only conflict with America.”
Throughout the ongoing tensions, Iran does not recognize Israel, often referring to it as the “Zionist regime.” The two nations have been engaged in covert conflicts for many years, and last year marked their first direct confrontations amidst increasing regional tensions surrounding the Gaza War.
