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By Dan Gooding and Gabe Whisnant
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Iran's top diplomat issued a sharp warning on Thursday, declaring that the country will take "special measures" to defend its nuclear facilities if Israeli threats persist. The statement from Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi escalates tensions ahead of a scheduled round of talks with the United States in Rome.
Iran's mission to the United Nations later published Araghchi's letter, which included a pointed message to Washington.
"In the event of any attack against the nuclear facilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran by the Zionist regime, the government of the United States shall bear legal responsibility, having been complicit therein," the letter said.
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Newsweek reached out to the U.S. State Department for further comment via contact form Thursday afternoon.
Why It Matters
If Israel carried out a strike on Iran, it would mark a significant rupture with the Trump administration, which is currently engaged in nuclear talks with Tehran. Diplomatic efforts across the Middle East are already fragile, and a move like this by Israel could potentially trigger a broader conflict across the region.
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What To Know
While Araghchi did not elaborate on the nature of Iran's potential response, his remarks follow international concerns about Tehran's nuclear program. Inspectors have already reported reduced access to Iranian facilities, even as the country continues to enrich uranium up to 60 percent purity, just below the 90 percent required for weapons-grade material.
"I have called on the international community to take effective preventive measures against the continuation of Israeli threats, which if unchecked, will compel Iran to take special measures in defense of our nuclear facilities and materials," Araghchi posted on X, formerly Twitter. His message followed a series of letters to United Nations officials.
He added that Iran's actions would be "proportionate" to any international efforts to prevent threats against its nuclear infrastructure.
Iran also pledged that any changes concerning its nuclear program would be reported to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog.
The warning comes on the heels of a CNN report citing new U.S. intelligence that suggests Israel is preparing for potential strikes on Iranian nuclear targets. While Israel has not confirmed the report, officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have repeatedly asserted that military action remains an option to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Israel and Iran have maintained a hostile rivalry for decades, with both countries frequently exchanging accusations and threats.
What People Are Saying
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, at a briefing Thursday: "The president spoke to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today. They had a productive discussion. They discussed many things, including, of course, the tragic shooting which took place in Washington, D.C., last night, but they also did talk about a potential deal with Iran, which the president believes is moving along in the right direction.
"As the president told me, and he's told all of you, this deal with Iran could end in two ways. It could end in a very positive diplomatic solution, or it could end in a very negative situation for Iran."
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking to Fox News on May 15: "The Iranian people are a peaceful people, an ancient civilization and culture we admire greatly. Our problem is with a clerical regime that is behind every problem in the region: Hizballah, Hamas, the Houthis, the militias that have conducted attacks out of Iraq and Syria. They all—it—they all track back to the Iranian regime."
**Trita Parsi, executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, previously told Newsweek: "**I don't believe we are very close [to a deal]. The American proposal contains some interesting ideas, but I find it very unlikely that Tehran will agree to freeze enrichment at all levels. The cost of restarting enrichment, even if the U.S. violates the deal and causes its collapse, is so high that the proposal gives me very little confidence."
What Happens Next
Friday's upcoming talks in Rome mark the fifth round of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran to reach a deal where Tehran would curtail or end uranium enrichment in exchange for lifting economic sanctions. Representing the U.S. will be President Donald Trump's Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff and State Department policy planning director Michael Anton.
This article includes reporting by The Associated Press.
Update 5/22/25, 1:31 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 5/22/25, 1:44 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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