Iran, based on the UN Charter, considers itself obliged to respond to Israel’s attack on Iranian territory. This is stated in a statement by the Islamic Republic’s Foreign Ministry.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemns the aggressive actions of Zionist regime [Israel] against military centers in Iran and considers them a clear violation of international law and the UN Charter, namely the principle of refraining from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of other countries,” the statement said. It says that “Iran, based on its inalienable right to legitimate defense, which is also reflected in Article 51 of the UN Charter.
Article 51 of UN charter
“Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defense if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security. Measures taken by Members in the exercise of this right of self-defense shall be immediately reported to the Security Council and shall not in any way affect the authority and responsibility of the Security Council under the present Charter to take at any time such action as it deems necessary to maintain or restore international peace and security.”
The support of the US and Western countries for Israel’s “criminal acts” is the cause of instability in the Middle East, the department noted.
“Undoubtedly, the continuation of the occupation, illegal actions, and crimes of the Zionist regime [Israel] in the region, namely the genocide of the Palestinian people and aggression against Lebanon, which are committed with the comprehensive military and political support of the United States and some other Western countries, is the main reason for tension and instability in the region,” the document says.
