The U.S. representative at the UN Security Council emergency meeting said that "Israel has informed that this action was essential for self-defense. Every sovereign state has the right to defend itself – and Israel is no exception. The U.S. was notified in advance about the strikes but was not militarily involved in them." Pete McGuire, head of International Organizations at the State Department, emphasized: "I want to be absolutely clear - no government, proxy organization or independent entity – should or is permitted to harm American citizens, American bases or other American infrastructure in the region. The consequences for Iran will be most severe."