Iran Defends Military Strikes as Legitimate Self-Defense

Iran Justifies Military Response as Lawful Self-Defense Against Regional Aggression

Official Statement Challenges International Narrative

Tempatdonasi.com – Esmaeil Baqaei, serving as the spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, has publicly defended his nation’s recent military operations as a rightful exercise of self-defense. According to Baqaei, these actions were necessary responses to continuous military pressure exerted by both the United States and Israel against Iranian interests. The Iranian official made his position clear through a detailed statement published on the social media platform X during the evening of Monday.

In his response, Baqaei directly addressed concerns raised by a United Nations representative regarding Tehran’s military activities. The UN spokesperson had voiced apprehension about Iran’s attacks targeting American military installations located throughout the region, as well as naval vessels operating within the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Rather than accepting this characterization, Baqaei offered a fundamentally different interpretation of events.

Reframing the Conflict: From Confrontation to Retaliation

According to Baqaei’s statement, as reported by ANTARA news agency, the situation should not be characterized as a “military confrontation” between equal parties. Instead, he described it as a continuation of what he termed a “blatant and unprovoked act of aggression” that began on February 28. This date marks when, according to Iran’s position, the United States and Israel initiated hostile actions that prompted Tehran’s subsequent military response.

“This is not a ‘military confrontation.’ It is the continuation of a blatant and unprovoked act of aggression initiated on February 28 by the United States and Israel,” he wrote.

Baqaei emphasized that Iran did not provoke the current situation or initiate hostilities. He maintained that Tehran’s military actions were conducted in strict accordance with international legal principles. The Iranian spokesperson clarified that Iran’s strikes against American military bases and assets positioned in the southern Persian Gulf represent a legitimate exercise of the country’s inherent right to self-defense under international law.

“Iran does not ‘attack.’ Iran’s strikes on U.S. military bases and assets stationed in the southern Persian Gulf constitute a legitimate and lawful exercise of its inherent right to self-defense under international law,” he said.

Regional Responsibility and International Accountability

Beyond defending Iran’s actions, Baqaei extended his argument to include regional nations that host American military installations. He stated that countries within the region which accommodate U.S. military assets bear shared responsibility for any escalation that occurs. This responsibility stems from the fact that their territory may be utilized as a launching point for attacks directed against Iran.

The Iranian spokesperson also took issue with what he perceived as selective criticism in international discourse. Baqaei expressed frustration that Iran faced condemnation for defending itself while nations committing more serious violations of international law escaped similar scrutiny. This point highlights Iran’s broader narrative about perceived double standards in global affairs.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes, has become an important theater in this ongoing dispute. Iran’s attacks on ships in this critical waterway have drawn particular attention from the international community, making the UN spokesperson’s concerns especially significant.

For readers seeking additional coverage of related developments, Tempo offers further reporting on Iran’s military operations. The publication has documented Iranian strikes against U.S. military bases located in Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain, providing comprehensive coverage of the regional escalation.

Stay informed about these developments by accessing the latest news updates from Tempo through their Google News channel, ensuring you receive timely information as this situation continues to evolve.