US-Iran tensions amid nuclear talks and Israeli threats

[MIDDLE EAST] Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated on Thursday that the United States would bear legal responsibility should Israel launch an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities. His remarks followed a CNN report suggesting Israel may be preparing for potential military strikes against Iran. The comments come as Iran and the U.S.—Israel’s closest ally—are scheduled to engage in a fifth round of nuclear negotiations in Rome on Friday, amid ongoing disputes over Tehran’s uranium enrichment program, which Washington argues could lead to the production of nuclear weapons. Iran has consistently denied any such ambition.

Quoting intelligence sources, CNN reported earlier this week that it remains uncertain whether Israel has reached a final decision regarding military action, with U.S. officials divided over the likelihood of an Israeli strike.

“Iran strongly warns against any adventurism by the Zionist regime of Israel and will respond decisively to any threat or unlawful act,” Araqchi wrote in a letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres. He emphasized that Tehran would consider the U.S. complicit in any attack and warned that Iran would be compelled to implement “special measures” to secure its nuclear assets should threats persist. These steps would be communicated to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), he added.

While Araqchi did not elaborate on the nature of these measures, an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had previously suggested Iran might halt cooperation with the IAEA or relocate enriched uranium to undisclosed locations.

Tensions between Iran and Israel have grown sharply in recent months, with both nations engaging in hostile actions. Israel has accused Iran of backing regional militant groups, while Tehran has blamed Israel for covert attacks on its nuclear infrastructure—an escalating exchange that has alarmed international observers and raised fears of a broader conflict.

In a separate statement on Thursday, Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a stark warning to Israel, pledging a “devastating and decisive response” to any aggression.

“They are trying to intimidate us with war, but they miscalculate our strength and underestimate the deep public and military support the Islamic Republic commands during wartime,” said Guards spokesperson Alimohammad Naini.

Diplomats caution that the collapse of the U.S.-Iran talks—or a nuclear agreement that fails to address Israeli concerns—could trigger unilateral Israeli military action against its longstanding adversary.

Amid the mounting tensions, global actors have urged restraint. The European Union, in particular, has played a key role in mediating the talks, seeking to bridge the gap between Washington and Tehran. However, recent reports of possible Israeli military action have added urgency and complexity to the diplomatic effort.

In a televised interview later on Thursday, Araqchi warned that there would be no nuclear agreement if the U.S. insists on a complete halt to uranium enrichment. “They [U.S. officials] have said they do not accept any enrichment in Iran… If that is their condition, then there will be no agreement,” he said on state television.

Araqchi indicated that while the idea of an international consortium for enrichment is worth considering, it would not replace Iran’s right to enrich uranium domestically.

Nuclear negotiations between Iran and the U.S. have long been fraught with obstacles. The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was a milestone agreement but has since faced backlash from multiple quarters. The current round of talks is viewed as a critical chance to resolve enduring disagreements, though the margin for missteps remains slim.

Earlier this week, Supreme Leader Khamenei condemned U.S. demands for Iran to cease uranium enrichment, calling them “excessive and outrageous,” and cast doubt on the potential success of ongoing negotiations.

Tehran maintains that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful, civilian use. Araqchi reiterated that while Iran has the technical capacity to develop nuclear weapons, it does not seek to do so.

Fears of a potential military confrontation between Israel and Iran have raised alarm among regional and international powers. With the Middle East already grappling with multiple crises, observers warn that another armed conflict could have devastating repercussions. The UN and other international bodies continue to call for de-escalation and a return to diplomacy.

Notably, Iran and Israel exchanged direct fire in April and October last year, underscoring the risk of regional warfare.