US Warns Iran Against Targeting Troops, Interests

U.S. Distances Itself from Israeli Strikes on Iran, Warns Tehran Against Targeting American Forces
The United States has firmly distanced itself from Israel’s recent large-scale airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities, emphasizing that Washington had no involvement in the operation and warning Iran against retaliating by targeting American personnel or assets in the region.
In an official statement issued late Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made it clear that Israel acted independently.
“Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,” Rubio said.
He added that Israel had informed U.S. officials of the planned strikes and justified the move as a self-defense measure.
Secretary Rubio noted that President Donald Trump and senior military leadership are actively monitoring the situation and have taken “all necessary steps” to safeguard U.S. interests in the Middle East.
“Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel,” Rubio warned, in a statement that echoed rising tensions between Washington and Tehran.
The U.S. response comes in the wake of a sweeping Israeli offensive targeting dozens of Iranian sites, including critical components of the country’s nuclear infrastructure and missile capabilities.
According to Israeli military sources, the operation was a preemptive strike intended to cripple Iran’s ability to threaten Israel with advanced weaponry.
Among the targets were military installations and a neighborhood in Tehran reportedly housing high-ranking officers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Loud explosions rocked parts of the Iranian capital, with state media confirming several fires and structural damage across key districts.
Following the strikes, Israel entered a heightened state of emergency, closing its airspace and redirecting incoming international flights to other countries.
Iran’s civil aviation authority also suspended all departures from Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport, as the country’s air defense systems were activated amid fears of additional attacks.
As regional tension mounts, intelligence sources have indicated that Iran may be preparing a retaliatory response, possibly involving ballistic missile strikes aimed at Israeli targets.
While Tehran has not issued a formal statement detailing its next steps, the situation remains volatile, with fears of a wider regional conflict intensifying.
Security analysts warn that continued escalation could draw in other regional powers and lead to a full-scale military confrontation, significantly destabilizing an already fragile Middle East.
US Warns Iran Against Targeting Troops, Interests