US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that if Iran does not agree to a nuclear deal, the price it will pay will get heavier every night. Rubio said he does not believe the Tehran administration is currently ready to reach an agreement with Washington.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ismail Bagheri, on the other hand, strongly condemned US officials' statements regarding possible attacks on Iran's civilian infrastructure. Bagheri argued that such threats violate the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.
In a written statement, Bagheri said, "No order can justify the commission of a war crime." He emphasized that relying on orders from senior officials would not exempt those who carry out such acts from criminal responsibility.
Bagheri accused the current US administration of undermining the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law and sacrificing moral values for the sake of war-oriented policies. He stated that any policy allowing the destruction of bridges and power plants would be an illegal act and a war crime.
Describing such acts as collective punishment and retaliation, Bagheri noted that they are clearly prohibited under international law as well as US laws.
Rubio said that President Donald Trump remains in charge of negotiations with Tehran and that all US negotiating teams work under the president's guidance. He warned that the price would get heavier until Iranian leaders return to a "rational path."
Rubio suggested that Iran tries to make a deal by contacting the US every day, but then reverses its position, adding that Tehran is already experiencing unprecedented difficulties. He insisted that no agreement could be reached unless Iran is ready to fulfill its commitments.
Rubio also accused Tehran of providing financial support to Hezbollah and armed militias to promote terrorism. He said that Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen are involved in the conflict, expressing hope that the group would stop its attacks.
Describing Saudi Arabia as a key strategic partner of the US, Rubio said that Riyadh is seeking nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and that making a civilian nuclear agreement with the kingdom is a logical decision.
Meanwhile, Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced on Thursday that they targeted and destroyed a number of US military systems and facilities in Jordan as part of the ongoing regional conflict. According to the statement aired on Iranian state television, the alleged targets included a THAAD missile defense radar, a Patriot air defense system, a C-RAM radar and a helicopter hangar.
The Guards described the attacks as part of Iran's response to the ongoing military conflict between Tehran and Washington. However, US officials did not confirm these Iranian claims or comment on the reported damage. The Jordanian army, for its part, announced that it intercepted four Iranian missiles and six drones.
