Iran Condemns Israel’s “Most Brutal Aggression,” Shares Heartbreaking Civilian Stories

TEHRAN, June 17— Monday was the fourth day of Tehran’s countrywide campaign of self-defense. In a strong and emotional press briefing, Esmaeil Baghaei Asl, spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, condemned what he called Israel’s “most brutal aggression” against Iran.

Baghaei spoke to reporters for the first time since the start of hostilities on June 13. He began by paying tribute to the Iranian civilians who had died in the recent Israeli missile strikes. He called the attacks an obvious act of aggression that was carried out with weapons provided by the United States.

Baghaei declared, “This cruel aggression resulted in the martyrdom of many of our prominent figures and innocent compatriots.” He then sent his condolences to the families of the victims and said, “All freedom-seeking people of the world stand with you.”

Iran says the response is a legitimate defense.
Baghaei said that Iran’s military reaction to the attacks was legal under international rules. He also said that some governments were wrong to try to make Iran look like the aggressor. He asked the rest of the world to stand firm against Israel’s actions, which he said were a threat to security in the area and around the world.

“Those who helped or tried to explain away this violence are accomplices in this crime.” “Their names will always be remembered as helpers,” he warned.

He was tying the attack to Gaza and the long-term occupation.
Baghaei said that Israel was continuing a pattern of violence and instability in the region that goes back decades. He made the link between Israel’s most recent attack on Iran and its ongoing operation in Gaza and the West Bank.

“This kind of violence is not a one-time thing.” “This is part of a pattern of conflict and killing that goes back 80 years,” he said. “The crisis in Iran must not take our attention away from the genocide happening in Palestine.”

Baghaei also criticized the West for what he called “hypocrisy and double standards.” He said that calls for “restraint” that didn’t address the source of the violence were hypocritical.

He said, “Irresponsible and dishonest statements that ask Iran to show restraint while ignoring the aggressor are made,” and he asked the UN Security Council to follow the rules in the UN Charter and act right away.

He said that Israeli airstrikes had hit areas near the Natanz and Isfahan nuclear plants, which he described as a “clear violation of international law and norms.”

Personal stories show the cost to civilians.
At the most moving part of the news conference, Baghaei read the names and stories of several Iranian civilians who died in the Israeli attacks. The victims provided a human face to the escalating conflict.

A rocket struck their Tehran home, killing Ehsan Eshraghi, a humble bank worker, and his nine-year-old daughter.

Baghaei said, “They had no bombs and no threat. They only had love and bread in their hands.” “The only crime they committed was simply living.”

He also honored Mohammad Mahdi Amini, a young taekwondo enthusiast who lost his life when his house collapsed.

Baghaei said, “He belonged on the podium of champions, not in the news of war.”

Majid Tajan Jari, who was called an artificial intelligence genius, had returned to Iran to help the country grow.

“He did not come back to get money or fame.” He came back to teach, encourage, and make things. Hope was his gift, but it looks like it was also his mistake.

People described Zahra Shams-Bakhsh, another victim, as a woman full of energy and compassion.

Not only did Netanyahu’s rocket hit the Sarv-e-Jahan building and kill a woman who loved life, but it also killed someone who spread kindness and light. Baghaei was clearly upset as she spoke.

A Call for Accountability Around the World
Baghaei made a straight appeal to the whole world at the end of the briefing.

If people around the world really believe in the rule of law and human rights, he said, “Now is the time to act, not with words, but with actions.”

He said again that Iran was ready to protect itself and fight back against continued aggression “with full force and with reliance on God the Almighty.”

The briefing gave a rare look into the conflict’s human and emotional costs. This comes as Iran steps up its diplomatic and military stance in response to a worsening conflict with Israel.