Washington has said it was not involved in the strikes, but vowed to protect American and Israeli forces from potential retaliation
Several top US officials have warned Tehran against targeting American forces following Israeli air strikes that killed the country’s top general and nuclear scientists and multiple explosions at key elements of Iran’s nuclear enrichment program.
In an interview with Fox News on Thursday, US President Donald Trump confirmed that he had prior knowledge of Israel’s military action, known as Operation Rising Lion, which targeted nuclear facilities and missile infrastructure.
Trump reiterated the US position that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons, adding that he hopes Tehran will return to talks over a nuclear deal and that the US military in the Middle East is on high alert.
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers denounced Iran as the “aggressor,” saying “its pursuit of a nuclear weapon is an existential threat that will not be tolerated.”
“The US was not involved in the strikes, but our forces stand ready to defend themselves and our ally Israel. Any Iranian attack on US forces would be a grave miscalculation,” he warned.
Iran has repeatedly denied that it has plans to develop nuclear weapons and insists that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.
US House Speaker Mike Johnson affirmed Israel’s right to self-defense, saying, “Israel IS right – and has a right – to defend itself!”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the US was not involved in the Israeli strikes. “Our top priority is protecting American forces in the region… Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel.”
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Tehran has a “legal and legitimate” right to respond to Israeli attacks, adding that they “cannot have been carried out without the coordination and authorization of the United States.”
It went on to warn that “the United States government, as the main supporter of this regime, will also be responsible for the dangerous effects and consequences of the Zionist regime’s adventure.”
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