Tehran: Washington bears direct responsibility for regional escalation

The United States bears direct responsibility for any violations of the April 8 ceasefire agreement, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said, arguing that Israel’s actions cannot be separated from US policy in the region.

According to a statement issued by the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Baghaei dismissed suggestions that Israel acts independently of Washington.

“No one believes that the Zionist regime acts without coordination with the United States,” he said.

Baghaei further asserted that the US Central Command (CENTCOM) supports Israel in both offensive and defensive operations, adding that Washington would be held accountable for the consequences of any future escalation.

“Whatever happens in our region — whether it is the United States itself violating the ceasefire through attacks on Iranian commercial vessels and strikes on the southern regions of our country, or acting through Israel in Lebanon, or through their joint complicity in our region — the responsibility of the United States, the direct responsibility of the United States, is clear,” he stated.

“The consequences of escalating tensions will also fall on the United States,” Baghaei added.

The Iranian diplomat also said that contacts and exchanges between Tehran and Washington have so far taken place in an atmosphere of mistrust, warning that developments over the past 24 hours are likely to deepen that lack of confidence even further.

By Vafa Guliyeva