An Iranian official warned Monday that the United States is “responsible for the consequences of any escalation” in the Middle East caused by Israel.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei made the comment in a briefing with journalists on Monday in Tehran.
“No one believes that the Israeli regime would take any action without coordination with the United States,” Baghaei said. “The United States bears responsibility for the Israeli regime’s aggression, and it will also be responsible for the consequences of any escalation in tensions.”
Oil prices rise sharply
Oil prices surged as Israel launched airstrikes early Monday targeting central and western Iran in response to missile fire.
Brent crude, the international standard, jumped $4.40 to $97.49 a barrel. Benchmark U.S. crude surged $3.95 to $94.49 a barrel.
The latest spate of attacks was straining efforts to end the conflict as a tentative deal reached last week to extend a ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran has not yet been finalized.
Israel says it targeted Iranian missile launchers
Israel’s military said it targeted truck-based surface-to-air missile launchers in its strikes Monday on Iran.
It said Iran had deployed the systems across the country in a bid to restore its capabilities that were degraded earlier in the war.
Source: APN news
