On July 16th local time, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted a statement condemning a series of military attacks launched by the United States against Iran. It stated that these illegal attacks violated the United Nations Charter and the basic principles of international law.
The statement says that in the past few days, while the United States announced a naval blockade against Iran, it has also increased its military strikes against Iran, “committing numerous war crimes, especially by attacking civilian facilities and infrastructure.”
The statement indicates that attacks on infrastructure such as bridges and power stations, as well as actions targeting civilian targets, violate international humanitarian law and the provisions of the Geneva Conventions. Those responsible should be held accountable according to the law.
The statement emphasizes that Iran will take all measures necessary to defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and will resolutely resist any attacks from the United States and Israel without compromise.
The statement claims that the US has taken military action once again during diplomatic contacts with relevant parties in Iran. This violates the memorandum of understanding reached previously and undermines the diplomatic process. The US should bear the consequences for this action.
Furthermore, the statement emphasizes that all countries, especially those neighboring the southern shores of the Persian Gulf, have the responsibility to prevent the United States from using their territories and facilities to prepare for and carry out attacks against Iran. Iran's defensive strikes against bases and facilities used for military operations against Iran are in accordance with the right of self-defense stipulated in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
The statement calls on neighboring countries on the southern shore of the Persian Gulf to take immediate measures to prevent their land, sea areas, and airspace from being used for military operations against Iran. This is aimed at preventing further escalation of regional conflicts and ensuring that the United States and Israel’s plot to provoke opposition and suspicion among regional nations does not succeed.
The statement emphasizes that Iran has no hostile relations with neighboring countries, and believes that the only way to achieve lasting security in the region is through increased dialogue and cooperation among regional countries, free from the military presence, destructive interference, and malicious intentions of the United States.
