The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran on Saturday said the “time has come to defend the homeland” after what it described as a joint military aggression by the United States and Israel targeting sites inside Iran.

In a strongly worded statement issued in Tehran, the Ministry alleged that the United States and what it called the “Zionist regime” carried out coordinated aerial attacks on Iranian territory earlier in the day, striking defensive infrastructure as well as non-military facilities in multiple cities. The statement claimed the strikes violated Iran’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty.
 

According to it, the attacks occurred despite an ongoing diplomatic process between Tehran and Washington. The Ministry said Iran had entered negotiations to demonstrate its commitment to peace and to prevent war, while remaining prepared to defend itself if necessary.

The statement described the strikes as a breach of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter and characterised them as “armed aggression” against the Islamic Republic. Citing Article 51 of the Charter, the Ministry asserted that Iran has the legitimate right to self-defence and said the country’s armed forces would respond “with full strength” to what it termed hostile actions.

Tehran also called upon the United Nations and the United Nations Security Council to take immediate steps to address what it described as a serious breach of international peace and security. It urged member states, particularly countries in the region and the Islamic world, to condemn the strikes and take collective measures.

At what it termed a “critical juncture”, the Ministry said Iran would not hesitate to defend its dignity and security, adding that “Iranians have never submitted to the aggression of foreign powers” and warning that the aggressors would “regret their criminal act”.

The statement reflects Tehran’s official position following the joint US–Israeli strikes.

(With AP inputs)