TEHRAN — Iran warned the United States and Israel against further military escalation in the Middle East this week, with senior Iranian officials saying Tehran would respond to any new attacks while holding Washington responsible for actions by its regional ally, according to statements released by Iranian authorities and state media on Monday and Tuesday.
The warning followed renewed exchanges involving Iran, Israel and U.S. forces after a period of relative calm under a ceasefire framework announced earlier this year. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the United States would bear “direct responsibility” for any escalation in the region, arguing that Washington remained a party to the April ceasefire arrangement.
“Whatever happens in our region … the direct responsibility of the United States is clear,” Baghaei told a weekly news conference in Tehran, according to remarks carried by Iranian media and reported by Reuters.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr issued a separate warning, saying any further action by what he described as the U.S.-Israeli alliance would bring severe consequences across the region. The comments came after Iran launched missile strikes that Iranian officials described as retaliation for Israeli actions in Lebanon and other locations.
Israeli authorities said missile launches from Iran targeted areas in northern and central Israel during the latest escalation. The Israeli military said it responded with strikes on Iranian military infrastructure, including air-defense systems. Iranian authorities have not independently confirmed all Israeli claims regarding the extent of damage caused by those operations.
The latest tensions emerged amid broader regional instability and ongoing diplomatic efforts. Iran has previously suspended or limited contacts with the United States over Israeli military operations in Lebanon and Gaza, according to Iranian officials and media reports.
Separately, U.S. and Iranian forces exchanged strikes after the downing of a U.S. Army helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz, according to U.S. officials and Iranian statements. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran preferred diplomacy but was prepared to respond to military action. U.S. President Donald Trump said American forces would respond to threats against U.S. personnel and interests.
The United Nations has urged all parties to halt hostilities. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday called for an immediate end to violence across the region and warned that renewed fighting could undermine diplomatic efforts and worsen humanitarian conditions.
As of Tuesday, no new ceasefire agreement had been announced, and regional governments continued to monitor developments while diplomatic contacts remained ongoing, according to officials involved in the discussions.
