The Islamic Republic of Iran has accused the US and Israel of carrying out what it described as “criminal military aggression” against its territory, vowing a decisive response from its armed forces.
The ministry said in a statement released to the Iranian people on Saturday that the strikes were a breach of the nation’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty, targeting both civilian targets and defensive infrastructure in multiple cities.
The statement claimed that the attacks, which featured airstrikes by what it called the “Zionist regime” and the United States, took place on the eve of Nowruz and on the tenth day of the holy month of Ramadan.
“This morning, the United States and the Zionist regime flagrantly violated Iran’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty by attacking a number of targets,” the ministry said.
Iran clarified that the development occurred during a diplomatic process between it and the United States, pointing out that even though it was aware of what it described as military action intentions, Iran re-entered negotiations to exhaust all arguments before the international community in order to demonstrate the legitimacy of any pretext for aggression and the righteousness of the Iranian nation.
“Now is the time to defend the homeland and confront the enemy’s military assault,” the ministry insisted, adding that the Iranian people “did everything necessary to prevent war.”
It declared that the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Armed Forces were “more prepared than ever to defend Iran’s sovereignty” and would react forcefully.
The ministry called the assaults “a clear act of armed aggression” against Iran and said that they violated Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, citing international law.
“The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will use all their capabilities and resources to confront this criminal aggression and repel the enemy’s hostility,” the statement added.
Iran also demanded that the UN and its Security Council confront the violation of global peace and security by taking what it called “immediate action.”
It called on the president of the Security Council, the UN secretary-general, and council members to promptly carry out their duties.
The ministry also urged UN members to “strongly condemn this act of aggression” and take swift, coordinated action in retaliation, especially regional and Islamic nations as well as members of the Non-Aligned Movement.
The ministry declared that Iran’s military would not falter in defending the nation, calling the time historic and pivotal.
