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
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that he estimates a deal with Iran will be signed "in the next day or two."
Trump said in an interview with Israel's Channel 12 News that the United States and Iran will probably meet over the weekend to finalize a deal to end the war. "The Iranians want to meet and make a deal," he said.
He said "the naval blockade on Iran is helping to make a deal. I will not lift it until we make a deal," adding that "the biggest part of this deal is that it will make Israel safer. This deal is good for Israel."
According to the channel, one component of the deal under discussion is that the United States will release 20 billion U.S. dollars in frozen Iranian funds.
In exchange, Iran would give up its stockpile of enriched uranium, and would be only allowed to have nuclear research reactors to produce medical isotopes, all above ground.
Trump also stressed that Israel must stop the strikes on Lebanon, saying, "They can't keep blowing up buildings. I'm not going to allow that."
Also on Friday, Trump said in a phone interview with Bloomberg that a deal to end the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran is mostly complete as talks over a lasting peace deal will "probably" be held this weekend in Pakistan.
Trump said in the phone interview that Iran agreed to suspend its nuclear program indefinitely, and will not receive any frozen funds from the United States.
"Most of the main points are finalized. It'll go pretty quickly," Trump said.
Asked if he would travel to Pakistan to sign the potential deal, Trump said: "I may."
Trump again denied that the moratorium on Iran's nuclear program would expire after 20 years. "No years, unlimited," Trump said.
The United States will get all of Iran's nuclear "dust" with no money having exchanged hands "in any way, shape, or form," Trump wrote on social media earlier on Friday. Multiple Western media outlets have interpreted Trump's reference to nuclear "dust" as meaning Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium.
Iran has yet to comment on any deal beyond the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, nor on claims made by Trump that Tehran had offered concessions, including over the key issue of its nuclear program.
If the United States continues its naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran will consider it a violation of the ceasefire between the two countries and will close the waterway, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported Friday, citing an informed source close to the Supreme National Security Council.
The Iranian side has yet to respond to the media report on the enriched uranium issue.
The United States and Iran had their first round of negotiations in Pakistan's Islamabad last weekend to ease tension in the Middle East. The talks, which failed to produce an agreement, took place after a ceasefire was announced on April 8 between Iran, the United States, and Israel, following 40 days of fighting.
Iran tightened control over the Strait of Hormuz after the United States and Israel launched joint attacks on the country on Feb. 28. The United States also imposed a naval blockade on the strait following the failed negotiations in Islamabad.
Earlier on Friday, both Washington and Tehran confirmed that the strait had been completely open for all commercial vessels. However, Trump said on Truth Social that the U.S. naval blockade would "remain in full force." In response, Iran warned of closing the waterway again if the U.S. blockade continues.
Trump says may sign deal with Iran "in the next day or two": Israeli media
Trump claims peace deal with Iran mostly complete: report
