Iran says it has 'duty' to defend itself against Israeli strikes

Iran has officially responded to Israel’s attack saying that it has a ‘duty’ of defending itself. The Iranian foreign ministry said in a statement, “Iran has the right and the duty to defend itself against foreign acts of aggression,” as it cited Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.

According to Iran International, the foreign ministry said, “Iran is entitled and obligated to defend against foreign aggressive actions, based on the inherent right of self-defense, which is also reflected in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.”

It added, “The Islamic Republic of Iran, emphasizing the use of all material and spiritual capabilities of the Iranian people to defend its security and vital interests, also acknowledges its regional peace and security responsibilities. It highlights the individual and collective responsibility of all countries in the region to safeguard peace and stability.”

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Israel on Saturday morning launched “precision attacks” against Iran’s military bases, leaving two soldiers dead. It warned Iran it would “pay a heavy price” if it responded.

Iran confirmed an Israeli attack had targeted military sites in Tehran province surrounding the capital, and other parts of the country, saying it caused “limited damage”. The armed forces said later two soldiers were killed in the strikes.

The second round of Israeli attacks is a response to Iran’s strike on October 1 which in itself was a retaliation to the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

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Earlier today, Iranian news outlet Tasnim News quoted an official who said that Tehran is ready to retaliate against Israel’s aggression. The source maintained that Iran reserves the right to respond to any act of aggression. “There is no doubt that Israel will receive the appropriate response to any move against Iran,” the official said.

Meanwhile, Hamas, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon have upheld Iran’s right to defend itself as it condemned Israel’s attacks.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its condemnation and denunciation” of the Israeli strikes, the foreign ministry said, repeating its “firm position rejecting escalation of the conflict in the region”, which “threatens the security and the stability of countries and peoples” in the Middle East.

While Hamas said, “We condemn in the strongest terms the Zionist aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the targeting of military sites in several provinces”, the movement said in a statement, calling the move “a blatant violation of Iranian sovereignty and an escalation that threatens the security of the region”.

With inputs from agencies