U.S. and Israel Warn Iran Amid Escalating Tensions at U.N. Security Council

The United States strongly cautioned Iran against targeting itself or Israel during a U.N. Security Council meeting. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged an end to the ongoing cycle of violence. The council convened following lethal escalations between Israel, Iran, and Hezbollah, with calls for unity and further sanctions against Iran.

The United States issued a stern warning to Iran at the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday, cautioning against targeting either the U.S. or Israel. This call came as U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres implored for an end to the "deadly cycle of tit-for-tat violence" in the Middle East.

The 15-member council gathered after Israel killed the leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah, initiating a ground assault against the Iran-backed militant group. Meanwhile, Iran launched a strike on Israel, raising fears of a broader war in the region. "Our actions have been defensive in nature," stated U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

Thomas-Greenfield made it clear: "The Iranian regime will be held responsible for its actions. We strongly warn against Iran – or its proxies – taking actions against the United States, or further actions against Israel." French U.N. Ambassador Nicolas de Riviere called for the Security Council to "show unity and to speak with one voice" to de-escalate the situation. Thomas-Greenfield urged the council to condemn Iran's attack and impose "serious consequences" on Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards Corps.

(With inputs from agencies.)