TEHRAN, FEB 28 /DNA/ — The Islamic Republic of Iran has issued a fiery condemnation of the United States and Israel, accusing them of launching a coordinated military attack on Iranian territory and vowing to retaliate with “all their might.”
In an official statement released Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed that American and Israeli forces struck “defense infrastructures and civilian sites” in multiple cities early this morning. The attack comes, according to the statement, on the eve of the Persian New Year (Nowruz) and during the holy month of Ramadan.
The Iranian government framed the strikes as a profound betrayal, asserting that they occurred while Tehran and Washington were engaged in a “diplomatic process.” The statement suggests Iran entered these negotiations anticipating potential aggression, aiming to demonstrate its commitment to peace and expose the “illegitimacy” of any military action against it.
“Now the Iranian people are proud that they did everything necessary to prevent war,” the statement reads. “Now is the time to defend the homeland and confront the enemy’s military aggression.”
Legal Condemnation and Call for International Action
Tehran is branding the operation a violation of international law, specifically citing Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter, which prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity of any state. Consequently, Iran asserts its “legal and legitimate right” to respond under Article 51 of the UN Charter, which enshrines the right to self-defense.
The Ministry has issued an urgent appeal to the United Nations, demanding that the Security Council and Secretary-General intervene immediately. It also called upon regional and Islamic countries, as well as members of the Non-Aligned Movement, to “firmly condemn this act of aggression.”
A Pledge of Retaliation
The statement concludes with a stark warning to Washington and Jerusalem. Drawing on nationalistic and religious rhetoric, it declares that Iran’s armed forces are “more prepared than ever for defense” and will make the “aggressors regret their criminal act.”
“History testifies that Iranians have never surrendered to foreign aggression and hegemony,” the statement declared. “This time too, the response of the Iranian nation will be decisive and determining.”
