Iran does not intend to have a direct conflict with the United States, but it will respond proportionately to any American attack, Iranian Ambassador to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani said on Sunday.
"Iran has no intention of engaging in conflict with the US in the region, we demonstrated our commitment to peace by exercising our restraint about involving the US army intercepting Iranian drones and missiles bound for military targets in the occupied Palestinian territories," the Iranian envoy said during a UN Security Council meeting. "This underscores our dedication to de-escalating tension and avoiding the expansion of conflict. However, if the US initiates military operations against Iran, Its citizens or its security interests, Iran will use its inherent right to respond proportionately."
Earlier in the day, a senior US administration official said the United States would not participate in any possible Israeli military response to Iran's attack.
Iravani added that the United States has been protecting Israel from taking responsibility for its actions in Gaza for months.
"For six months now, these countries, especially the United States, have shielded Israel from any responsibility for the Gaza massacre, while they have denied Iran’s inherent right to self-defense against the Israeli armed attack on our diplomatic premises. At the same time, they shamefully justified the Israeli massacre and genocide against the defenseless Palestinian people on the pretext of self-defense," he told the UN Security Council members.
In addition, the envoy noted that the Iranian attack on Israel was necessary and proportionate, and only targeted military facilities.
"These concluded action was necessary and proportionate. It was precise and only targeted military objectives, and carried out carefully to minimize the potential for escalation and prevent civilian harm," Iravani told the UN Security Council members.