Tehran and Washington|Iran has issued a direct warning to the United States, saying that American military involvement in Israel’s campaign would trigger chaos across the Middle East. The statement follows recent Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and an Iranian missile that hit near a hospital in southern Israel.
Speaking in an interview with media sources, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said, “If the U.S. joins the attacks, it will unleash hell for the whole region.” He added, “This is not America’s war. If President Trump steps in, history will remember him as the president who started a war he didn’t belong in.”
Khatibzadeh described the situation as a “quagmire” and blamed Israel for derailing nuclear negotiations. He said the Israel strikes that began on June 13 targeting sites in Arak and Natanz killed top generals and scientists and forced Iran to retaliate.
“Diplomacy was in motion,” Khatibzadeh said. “We were planning a sixth round of talks in Muscat and were close to reaching an agreement.” He claimed Israel “sabotaged” those talks with airstrikes, cutting off the chance for peaceful resolution.
Iran says its missile strike on June 19 was aimed at a military target near Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba. The Israeli Ministry of Health reported 71 injuries at the hospital. Fire and smoke damaged hospital buildings and forced evacuation of patients.
Israel responded by targeting what it said were nuclear-related sites inside Iran. The Israeli military confirmed strikes on the Arak heavy water reactor and a facility near Natanz, which Israel claims holds equipment linked to weapons development.
Iran has denied pursuing nuclear weapons. Khatibzadeh dismissed the accusations and responded to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s statement that Iran’s uranium enrichment had reached 60% purity. “This is nonsense,” he said. “If we wanted a nuclear bomb, we would have had it long ago.”
The UN nuclear agency warned that any strike on nuclear facilities risks contaminating the environment and harming civilians. “Nuclear sites must never be attacked under any circumstance,” IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said on Friday.
As tensions rise, the White House said President Trump is reviewing military options and will make a decision within two weeks. In a recent statement, Trump said, “I may do it. I may not,” when asked about authorizing direct action against Iran.
Iran has threatened consequences if the U.S. sides with Israel. Tehran’s leadership claims it has already communicated this position to Washington through diplomatic back channels.
Three diplomats familiar with recent discussions told Reuters that Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi warned that talks cannot resume unless Israeli airstrikes stop. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff reportedly held multiple phone calls with Araqchi since the start of the attacks.
Iran’s deputy foreign minister said European officials have shown interest in restarting diplomacy. A meeting in Geneva is being planned. “They want to talk again,” Khatibzadeh said. “We welcome serious negotiations, but only if the bombing ends.”
The war began when Israel launched airstrikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure on June 13, citing national security threats. Since then, both sides have exchanged missile fire. The death toll in Iran reached 639 as of Thursday, according to HRANA, a monitoring group. Israel has confirmed at least 24 deaths since the conflict began.
Khatibzadeh called the ongoing hostilities “unprovoked and unnecessary” and accused Israel of creating “brutal atrocities” to block peace.
He ended the interview with a message to Washington: “You cannot start a war based on speculation or assumptions. End the violence. Return to the table.”
As pressure builds, the international community continues to call for de-escalation. Diplomats warn that one wrong move could drag the region into a much broader war. The world now watches Washington and Tehran for the next step.
