Washington Warns Tehran: Another Attack on Israel or American Forces Will Have 'Severe Consequences'

The U.S. representative to the United Nations warned the Islamic Republic of Iran on Monday that if it takes further aggressive actions against Israel or American forces in the Middle East, it will face 'severe consequences.' According to Reuters, Linda Thomas-Greenfield stated at a Security Council meeting: 'We will not hesitate to act in self-defense. There should be no ambiguity. The United States does not seek to escalate the conflict and believes that direct fire exchanges between Israel and Iran must end.' On the same day, Israel issued a similar warning to the Islamic Republic. Danny Danon, Israel's representative to the UN, said before the Security Council meeting to discuss the conflict between the Islamic Republic and Israel: 'I warn the leaders of Iran: Israel has shown restraint until now, but from here on, they will only see power.' He added: 'Any further aggression [against Israel] will face swift, painful, and decisive consequences.' The Israeli representative told the leaders of the Islamic Republic: 'For every missile you launch and every terrorist cell you support, there will be a response. Israel has acted to protect its people and sovereignty and will not hesitate to do so again.' In the early hours of Saturday, Israel targeted military sites within Iran, especially air defense systems and missile and drone production workshops, in a retaliatory operation. Israel conducted this operation following the second missile attack by the Islamic Republic on Israel. This operation included several waves of Israeli fighter jet attacks on targets within Iranian territory and occurred while Israeli forces were engaged in conflict with Iranian proxy forces in the region, such as Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The Security Council meeting on Monday was held to review Israel's attack on Islamic Republic positions at the request of the Iranian government and with the support of Algeria, China, and Russia. The Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, wrote in a letter to the fifteen council members: 'The actions of the Israeli regime constitute a serious threat to international peace and security and further exacerbate the instability of a region that has already been fragile.' The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic previously stated that the Israeli attacks should not be 'exaggerated or downplayed.' Ali Khamenei, however, refrained from ordering a retaliatory attack. Saturday's attack was the first 'open attack' by Israel on its staunch enemy. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that the Saturday morning attacks, which lasted several hours, achieved Israel's objectives, including weakening the defensive capabilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its ability to produce missiles. Before the Security Council meeting on Monday, Iraq filed a complaint with the United Nations, protesting Israel's use of Iraqi airspace in its attack on the Islamic Republic of Iran. Hussein Aqaee, a researcher, stated: 'The Islamic Republic has completely lost its deterrent power.' Experts noted that Israel's military operations have rendered the rhetoric of the IRGC ineffective. Reports indicate that Israel has 'broken the backbone' of the Islamic Republic's missile industry. The Wall Street Journal reported that Israel's attack on the positions of the Islamic Republic has also undermined the credibility of Russian military equipment.