Iran blames US for latest Israel strikes, says ‘diplomatic process’ with Washington at risk

On Monday, Israel launched fresh strikes on the military targets in western and central Iran, giving rise to the renewed escalation between two countries in the Middle East.

Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported that “multiple explosions were heard in Tehran, Tabriz, and Isfahan” following the strikes.

The reported attacks were the response of Iran launching missiles in response to Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs.

In the midst of the latest exchange of fire with Israel, Iran has blamed the US for fuelling this escalation.

According to Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, the recent ceasefire breaches and fierce exchange of fire between Iran and Israel will only “worsen a chaotic diplomatic process with the United States.”

The remarks coming from the Iranian officials also show that in coming days Tehran’s suspicion towards Washington would also exacerbate.

Baghaei also remarked that the US is equally responsible in fuelling the escalation in the Middle as Israel “does not take independent action without consulting Washington.”

However, the earlier Reuters reported that the Trump administration told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Natanyahu to refrain from launching strikes militarily as the retaliation could damage the ongoing peace talks between Tehran and Washington.

As reported by Axios, President Donald Trump personally phoned Natanyahu and urged not to respond as the US was “very close to reaching agreement” with Iran, leading to permanent resolution of conflict.