Washington, D.C., June 11, 2025 — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has firmly denied any American involvement in the Israeli military strikes on Iran carried out overnight Thursday, describing the operation as a “unilateral” action by Israel and warning Tehran not to retaliate against American assets in the region.
“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 in a statement released Thursday evening. “Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense.”
Rubio emphasized that the U.S. government, under President Donald Trump, has taken “all necessary steps” to safeguard American personnel and is maintaining close coordination with regional partners. He issued a stern warning to Tehran: “Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.”
The comments come amid heightened tensions following a series of Israeli strikes reportedly targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and long-range ballistic missile systems. According to Israeli Army Radio, the operation was aimed at crippling Iran’s military capabilities and included a preemptive attack on strategic sites, including a neighborhood in Tehran believed to house senior commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described the strikes as “preemptive,” citing intelligence assessments of imminent threats to Israeli national security. In response, Israel declared a nationwide state of emergency, closed its airspace, and rerouted all incoming and outgoing flights.
Iranian media confirmed that multiple explosions were heard across Tehran and in other major cities. Iranian state television reported a suspension of all operations at Imam Khomeini International Airport, amid fears of further attacks or escalation.
As of Friday morning, no official response had been issued by Iranian authorities regarding possible retaliation, though sources close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard suggested that counterstrike options — including the use of ballistic missiles — are under review.
The escalation marks one of the most severe confrontations between the two regional rivals in recent years, fueling concerns of a broader conflict that could draw in international actors, including the United States.
Military analysts warn that continued strikes could spiral into open warfare, especially if Iranian countermeasures impact American assets in Iraq, Syria, or the Persian Gulf. The Pentagon has reportedly elevated threat levels at key U.S. installations across the region.
As the international community watches closely, calls for restraint have emerged from European and UN officials, urging both sides to avoid a full-scale conflict with potentially devastating regional consequences.
