‘Consequences for Iran would be ‘dire’ if it targets American citizens’

A US representative to the UN warned Iran on Friday that any attack on American citizens, military bases, or infrastructure in the region would result in "dire" consequences, Anadolu Ajansı reports.

"Our absolute, foremost priority is the protection of U.S. citizens, personnel, and forces in the region.

"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," McCoy Pitt, senior bureau official of the Bureau of International Organization Affairs, told the UN Security Council meeting.

His remarks came after Israeli forces attacked Iran in the early hours of Friday, hitting nuclear and missile facilities and killing top military commanders and scientists. Iran has vowed a harsh response.

Pitt reiterated that the US was informed of the strikes ahead of time but was not militarily involved in these strikes.

"Israel advised us this action was necessary for its self-defense. Every sovereign nation has the right to defend itself and Israel is no exception," he added.