At The United Nations, Iran Openly Talks US Involved In Israeli Attacks

JAKARTA - Iran said the United States was involved in the Israeli attack on the Islamic Republic. But Washington dismissed the allegations and asked Tehran to negotiate on its nuclear program.

Iran launched a counter-attack against Israel on Friday night after Israel attacked Iran the previous day.

Israel's ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon said Iran had been "ready for war" and Israeli attacks were meant for national guarding of its territory.

Meanwhile, Iran's UN envoy, Amir Saeid Iravani, accused Israel of trying to destroy diplomacy, sabotage negotiations, and drag the region into a wider conflict.

He said Washington's involvement was "undeniably".

"Those who support this regime, with the United States at the forefront, must understand that they are involved," Iravani told the Security Council.

"By helping and allowing this crime, they are fully responsible for the consequences," he continued.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday he had given Tehran a 60-day ultimatum, which ended on Thursday, to make an agreement on its rising uranium enrichment program.

The sixth round of US-Iran talks was scheduled to take place at Oman on Sunday, but it's unclear if it will resume.

Danon said Israel had been patient despite the increased risks.

"We are waiting for diplomacy to succeed. We are witnessing negotiations continue, as Iran makes a fake concession or rejects the most basic requirements," Danon told the Security Council. He said intelligence had confirmed Iran could produce sufficient fissile material for several bombs in a few days.

Senior US official Total Pitt said the United States would continue to seek diplomatic resolutions ensuring Iran would never acquire nuclear weapons or pose a threat to stability in the Middle East.

"Iran leadership will be wise to negotiate at this time," Pitt told the council. Although Washington was informed of Israel's previous initial attack, Washington was not involved militarily, he said.

UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi told the Security Council the pilot enrichment plant on land on Iran's Natanz nuclear site had been destroyed. Meanwhile Iran reported nuclear sites in Fordow and Isfahan were also attacked.