Iran Vows Decisive Response to US-Israeli Aggression, Asserts Right to Self-Defense : FM Araghchi

TEHRAN: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned that Iran will deliver a “decisive” response to any act of aggression, citing the country’s inherent right to legitimate self-defense and the support of its national population.

Araghchi made the remarks during a telephone call with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez on Friday, the seventh day of ongoing US-Israeli military attacks on Iran. He condemned recent acts, including the assassination of the leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and attacks on schools, hospitals, mosques, and citizen service centers, calling them violations of the UN Charter and international law.

“Relying on its defensive capabilities and the support of the Iranian nation, the Islamic Republic will protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity and respond decisively to any aggression,” Araghchi stated.

Rodriguez strongly condemned the US-Israeli attacks, emphasizing the need to respect national sovereignty and adhere to the principles of the UN Charter and international law.

The attacks, which began on the morning of Saturday, have so far claimed the lives of at least 1,332 Iranian civilians, according to the Red Crescent Society. Iran has retaliated swiftly with missile and drone strikes targeting Israeli-occupied territories and US military assets in the region.