Recent U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran constitute a "stark violation" of international law and the United Nations Charter, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said in an interview released on Friday, adding that Tehran would continue to exercise its right to self-defense under Article 51 of the U.N. Charter.
On Feb. 28, Israel and the United States launched joint strikes on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei along with senior military commanders and civilians. The attacks took place while negotiations were ongoing.
Iran has responded to the attacks with multiple waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and U.S. assets across the region.
Baghaei made the remarks in response to questions about Iran's assessment of the situation in an exclusive interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN).
"So I think no one can deny the fact that this is a stark violation of international law, a stark violation of the United Nations Charter. It is an act of aggression, and military aggression is the worst form of unlawful use of force, which is prohibited under Article 2, paragraph 4 of the United Nations Charter. I think it is a very bad blow to the collective security system that is the backbone of the United Nations system," he said.
When asked whether Iran's retaliatory strikes against Israeli and U.S. targets in the region constitute deterrence or self-defense, Baghaei cited international law as the basis for Iran's actions.
"What we are doing is exercising our inherent right of self-defense, which is recognized under Article 51 of the UN Charter. We are, in fact, obliged under international law to protect our people, to protect our sovereignty, to protect our territorial integrity against these egregious acts of aggression," he said.
Baghaei also issued a warning to countries in the region hosting U.S. military assets.
"And that's why we are targeting the military bases of the United States and its assets that are scattered around us in the Persian Gulf countries. We have already warned them: please, please do not let the United States abuse your soil, abuse your territory for conducting this military aggression. But unfortunately, for whatever reason, they have not been able to make the United States refrain from using their territories for aggressive operations against Iran. Iran has every right under international law to defend itself against these military strikes," Baghaei said.
US-Israeli attacks "stark violation" of int'l law, UN Charter: Iranian FM spokesman
