The ministry extended its sympathies to the families of the victims, while vowing a firm response.
The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned what it described as a “blatant act of aggression” by Israel, following military strikes on Iranian territory, including the capital Tehran.
In a formal statement released on Friday and posted on its official X handle, the ministry accused the Zionist regime of violating Iran’s territorial integrity and launching attacks on both military and residential areas.
“This morning, the occupying and rogue #ZionistRegime violated the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of our dear #Iran, attacking several locations, including residential areas in Tehran and other cities across our country,” the ministry stated.
It added that the attack resulted in casualties, including prominent figures described as defenders of the nation.
The ministry extended its sympathies to the families of the victims, while vowing a firm response.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs extends its congratulations and condolences to the Revered Leader and the noble people of Iran on the martyrdom of these defenders and servants of the homeland, who sacrificed their lives for our nation in the face of the Zionist regime’s unforgivable crime,” it said.
Citing international law, the statement argued that the strikes breached Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.
“The Zionist regime’s attacks on Iran constitute a violation of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter and a blatant act of aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran. In accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, Iran reserves the legitimate and legal right to respond to this aggression.”
The Iranian government also signalled its readiness to retaliate.
“The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will not hesitate to defend Iran’s sovereignty with full strength and in the manner they deem appropriate,” it said.
The ministry called on the United Nations Security Council to take immediate steps to address what it described as a threat to international peace.
“As a founding member of the United Nations – an organisation whose very purpose is to prevent aggression, breaches of peace, and threats to peace – the Islamic Republic of Iran underscores the Security Council’s obligation to take immediate action against this violation of international peace and security, stemming from the Zionist regime’s blatant aggression,” it said.
“We call upon the President and members of the Council to act without delay in this regard.”
The Foreign Ministry also appealed directly to the UN Secretary-General to intervene. It urged member states, particularly those in the Islamic world and the Non-Aligned Movement, to condemn the attack and act collectively.
In closing, Iran warned of serious consequences for both the Zionist regime and its allies.
It said, “The grave and far-reaching consequences of the Zionist regime’s aggression against our beloved homeland, Iran, will rest entirely upon this regime and its supporters.
“The Zionist regime’s acts of aggression against Iran could not have been carried out without the coordination and approval of the United States. Consequently, the US government, as the primary patron of this regime, will also bear responsibility for the dangerous repercussions of the Zionist regime’s reckless actions.”
Earlier, the Israeli military stated it launched a wave of strikes against Iranian military and nuclear sites in a significant escalation. Strikes have also hit central Tehran.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the military operation had “struck at the head of Iran’s nuclear weaponisation program” and targets included Iran’s main enrichment facility in Natanz, Iranian nuclear scientists, and Iran’s ballistic missiles program.
General Hossein Salami, who is the commander-in-chief of the country’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was declared to be among those killed in the attacks, the IRGC confirmed.
Major General Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces and the country’s highest-ranking military officer, was also killed.
Iran’s former national security chief, Ali Shamkhani, was also reported killed along with nuclear scientists.
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