The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran has issued a strongly worded statement accusing the United States and Israel of carrying out military strikes against Iranian territory, calling the alleged attacks a violation of international law and an assault on the country’s sovereignty.
In a message addressed to the Iranian public, the ministry described the reported action as “criminal military aggression” by the United States and what it referred to as the “Zionist regime,” a term used by Iranian officials to describe Israel. According to the statement, airstrikes targeted defensive infrastructure as well as civilian sites in multiple cities.
The ministry said the strikes occurred on the eve of Nowruz, the Persian New Year, and during the holy month of Ramadan. It characterized the timing and nature of the alleged attacks as a “flagrant violation” of Iran’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty.
Iranian officials further claimed the military action took place while Tehran and Washington were engaged in a diplomatic process. The statement said Iran had re-entered negotiations despite what it described as prior knowledge of potential aggression, in what it called an effort to demonstrate its commitment to peaceful dialogue before the international community.
The ministry asserted that Iran had “done everything necessary to prevent war” but declared that it was now prepared to defend itself. It said the country’s armed forces stand ready to respond decisively.
Citing Articles 2(4) and 51 of the UN Charter, the ministry described the reported strikes as an act of armed aggression and said Iran reserves the right to self-defense under international law. It added that the country would use “all capabilities and resources” to counter what it termed hostile actions.
The statement also urged the United Nations and its Security Council to take immediate action, calling on the UN Secretary-General and member states, particularly regional and Islamic nations as well as members of the Non-Aligned Movement to condemn the alleged attacks and pursue collective measures in response.
