The United States is “complicit” in Israel’s strikes in Iran, Tehran’s ambassador to the United Nations claimed today, vowing that his country would respond if Washington crosses a “red line”.

“We firmly believe that the United States is complicit in what Israel is doing,” Iranian ambassador Ali Bahreini told a press conference.

“And at any time, at any point, if we come to the conclusion that the United States is directly involved in attacks against Iran, we will start responding to the United States.”

He said Tehran was “vigilant” about Mr Trump’s “completely unwarranted” and “hostile” remarks.

“There is a line which, if crossed, there should be a response on our side… once the red line is crossed, the response will come,” Bahreini said.

“We will respond strongly and we will stop aggression from any side, be it Israel or the United States,” he said.

“And we have given a message to the United States that we will respond very firmly and will stop the aggression by anybody, including the United States.”

Bahreini also said Tehran was “resolute in responding to Israeli attacks”.

“We will respond very, very, very seriously and strongly, and that is what we are doing now. Nobody should expect Iran to show any kind of restraint,” he said.

“Not only they are not condemning the attacks and aggression, they are trying to justify the aggression,” he said.

Asked about a possible resumption of negotiations with Washington over Iran’s nuclear programme, the ambassador said that for now, Iran was “not thinking about any scenario” other than “defending ourselves”.

– AFP