Iran Warns Washington of ‘Possible Miscalculation or Adventurous Acts’

Iran's permanent representative at the UN, Saeid Iravani (UN)
Iran's permanent representative at the UN, Saeid Iravani (UN)
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Iran Warns Washington of ‘Possible Miscalculation or Adventurous Acts’

Iran's permanent representative at the UN, Saeid Iravani (UN)
Iran's permanent representative at the UN, Saeid Iravani (UN)

Iran's Foreign Ministry lodged an official complaint at the UN after the National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, said the US had granted Israel the "freedom of action" to target Iranian facilities.

Iran's permanent representative at the UN, Saeid Iravani, submitted a letter to the UN Sec-Gen Antonio Guterres and the head of the Security Council, saying Sullivan's recent statements were "irresponsible, provocative, and belligerent statements that violate international law and the United Nations Charter."

The IRNA news agency quoted the official: "Iran warns against any possible miscalculation or adventurous acts against its peaceful nuclear program."

Iran agreed with major powers, the US, France, the UK, Russia, China, and Germany, regarding its nuclear program, which allowed the lifting of sanctions in exchange for reducing its nuclear activities and ensuring a peaceful program.

However, the US withdrew from the agreement in 2018 and re-imposed sanctions on Iran, which responded by gradually retracting most of its commitments.

Iran and the parties engaged in talks to revive the deal in April 2021 with the indirect participation of the US.

Negotiations faltered in early September 2022, with the Western parties asserting that the Iranian response to a draft understanding was unconstructive. Iran has been enriching uranium at 60 percent since April 2021.

Sullivan expressed regret over Trump's decision in 2018 to withdraw from the nuclear deal.

Sullivan said that the US is still engaging "Iran diplomatically regarding its nuclear program," adding that Washington is working with allies, including Israel, to ensure Tehran does not achieve a nuclear weapon.

Sullivan stressed in statements during a conference of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy that Iran can never be permitted to obtain a nuclear weapon, and "President Biden has repeatedly reaffirmed he will take the actions that are necessary to stand by this statement, including by recognizing Israel's freedom of action."

The Iranian message warned that such a statement not only implies the United States' potential complicity in any future acts of terrorism or aggression carried out by the Israeli regime against Iran, including against its peaceful nuclear facilities.

"It also serves as an admission of responsibility by the US for its role in assisting, facilitating, and supporting Israel's terrorist and sabotage operations against Iranian officials, scientists, civilians, and peaceful nuclear facilities."

The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani, said that Sullivan's statements about Washington's recognition of Israel's freedom of action are an "admission" that the US has been and will be "responsible for all terrorist acts of Zionists against Iran's facilities and people, accepting its consequences."

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said the reckless and provocative statement of Sullivan is further evidence that the US government is, directly and indirectly, responsible for the subversive actions of Israel in the region, specifically regarding Iran.

Furthermore, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said that Iran has enriched enough uranium to build five nuclear bombs, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated, during a meeting with US lawmakers last week, that Iran poses a "greater threat than North Korea."

Last month, Israel warned the US administration and several European countries that it might launch a military strike against Iran if it enriched uranium above 60 percent.

In recent years, Iran has accused Israel of being behind several attacks on its nuclear and military facilities, including the assassination of its top nuclear and defense scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh.



Biden after Trump’s Election Win: Setbacks Are Unavoidable

US President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC, November 7, 2024, after Donald Trump won the presidential election. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)
US President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC, November 7, 2024, after Donald Trump won the presidential election. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)
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Biden after Trump’s Election Win: Setbacks Are Unavoidable

US President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC, November 7, 2024, after Donald Trump won the presidential election. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)
US President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC, November 7, 2024, after Donald Trump won the presidential election. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)

Seeking to console fellow Democrats, US President Joe Biden delivered remarks to the nation Thursday in what was his first appearance on camera following Republican Donald Trump’s decisive victory.

"Setbacks are unavoidable. Giving up is unforgiveable," Biden said at the White House Rose Garden as he addressed staff who were disappointed in Vice President Kamala Harris' defeat. "A defeat does not mean we are defeated."

Biden said Tuesday's election had proven the integrity of the US electoral system and said he would preside over an orderly transfer of power.

"We lost this battle. The America of your dreams is calling for you to get back up," he said.

The president reiterated that the US election system “is honest, it is fair, and it is transparent. And it can be trusted, win or lose.”

“America endures,” he said. “We’re going to be ok, but we need to stay engaged.”

Some Democrats have blamed Biden, 81, for Harris' defeat, saying he should not have sought reelection. Biden only dropped his reelection bid in July after a disastrous TV debate with Trump raised alarm bells about his mental fitness.
Trump's campaign said Biden had invited him to meet at the White House at an unspecified time. In the weeks ahead, Trump will select personnel to serve under his leadership.