Iran’s defensive operations against US military bases and facilities in the region should in no way be interpreted as hostility toward the countries of the region, the Foreign Ministry has said, emphasizing that neighboring countries should refrain from allowing their territories to use in the ongoing US-Israeli aggression against Iran.
In a statement on Saturday, the ministry said that the US-Israeli aggression constitutes a clear violation of Iran’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty, and that the Islamic Republic reserves its inherent right to self-defense under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
“The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran are using all available capabilities to confront this criminal aggression. The exercise of Iran’s inherent right of legitimate self-defense will continue until the aggression ceases or until the United Nations Security Council fulfills its duty under Article 39 of the UN Charter by identifying the aggressors and determining the responsibilities arising from their acts of aggression,” the statement read.
Under international law, the statement further said, states are prohibited from allowing their territory to be used, directly or indirectly, to inflict damage or harm on other countries. States should also prevent military aggression against other countries by forces stationed within their territory, and must not facilitate or support such actions, it added.
“It is evident that in the event of a violation of these fundamental obligations, states whose territory is used to carry out military aggression against a third country bear international legal responsibility, including liability for compensation for both direct and indirect damages caused.”
Further in the statement, the Foreign Ministry emphasized that Iran, in exercising its inherent right to defend its security and integrity, has undertaken necessary and proportionate defensive operations against the bases and facilities of the aggressors in the region.
From the perspective of international law, this action is legitimate, and repeated warnings had previously been issued at various levels, it added.
No factor can undermine Iran’s inherent right to self-defense against the US-Israeli aggression, the ministry said, adding that Iran’s defensive operations are directed at targets and facilities that serve as the origin and base of aggressive actions against the Iranian people or that support such objectives.
Countries of the region have undoubtedly come to realize that the presence of US bases on their soil has done nothing to enhance regional security; rather, they have merely been used to support “the Zionist child-killers and American aggressors.”
“The Islamic Republic of Iran remains committed to maintaining and strengthening friendly relations with regional countries on the basis of mutual respect, the principle of good neighborliness, and respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. It emphasizes that Iran’s defensive operations against US military bases and facilities in the region should in no way be interpreted as hostility or enmity toward the countries of the region.”
Your Comment