US Warns Iran Against Retaliation for Embassy Attack in Syria, Denies Involvement

The United States issued a stern warning to Iran on Tuesday, cautioning against any retaliatory measures following an attack on the Iranian Embassy compound in Syria. The cautionary statement was delivered during a session of the United Nations Security Council, with the US explicitly stating it had no foreknowledge of the strike. The attack, which Tehran has attributed to Israel—a key ally of Washington—resulted in the deaths of two Iranian generals and five military advisers, marking a significant escalation in the region.

Deputy US Ambassador to the UN Robert Wood emphasized America’s stance on defending its personnel while reiterating that the US had neither involvement in nor prior knowledge of the attack. Wood’s comments come amid a backdrop of halted hostilities, noting the cessation of attacks by Iran-backed proxies on US troops in Iraq and Syria since February. This pause in aggression followed decisive US military action in retaliation to the killing of three US troops in Jordan, targeting facilities in Syria and Iraq associated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps and its supported militias.

In response to the embassy strike, Iran articulated its right to a “decisive response,” highlighting Israel’s actions as a violation of the UN Charter and international law. Iran’s deputy UN ambassador, Zahra Ershadi, held the United States accountable for the actions of the Israeli regime, accusing it of destabilizing Syria and the broader region through its unwavering support of Israel against Palestinian terrorists Hamas. Ershadi urged the Security Council to officially condemn the attack on Iranian diplomatic premises.

Wood addressed the council and mentioned the US’s concern over the attack, particularly the ambiguity surrounding the status of the targeted building. He reiterated the importance of protecting diplomatic missions and their properties as a fundamental obligation, especially during armed conflicts.