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Amidst the renewed tensions between the US and Iran in the Gulf region, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei responded on Sunday (local time) to the United Nations regarding the organisation's recent "concern" over the issue.
In an 'X' post, Baghaei stressed that the situation is not a "military confrontation" but rather "the continuation of a blatant and unprovoked act of aggression initiated on February 28 by the United States and Israel." He stated that Iran does not "attack," arguing that Iran's strikes on U.S. military bases and assets stationed in the southern Persian Gulf constitute a legitimate and lawful exercise of its inherent right to self-defence under international law. He urged the UN to press the countries in question to immediately cease allowing the United States to use their territories as launchpads for aggression against Iran. "Mr. Spokesperson, this is not a 'military confrontation.' It is the continuation of a blatant and unprovoked act of aggression initiated on 28 February by the United States and Israel. Iran does not 'attack.' Iran's strikes on U.S. military bases and assets stationed in the southern Persian Gulf constitute a legitimate and lawful exercise of its inherent right to self-defense under international law. You should urge the countries in question to immediately cease allowing the United States to use their territories as launchpads for aggression against Iran," Baghaei wrote. Baghaei further remarked, "It is far from responsible to blame Iran for defending its sovereignty while failing to hold the aggressors accountable for their egregious violation of international law. By the way, it is the 'Persian Gulf'; please be loyal to the UN directives (notably those of 18 August 1994 and 14 May 1999) mandating the use of the full term 'Persian Gulf' in all UN texts." Earlier, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over the renewed military confrontations involving Iran and the United States, warning of severe regional and global consequences. "I am deeply concerned by the serious escalation and renewed military confrontations in the Gulf, including the Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, the attacks by the US on Iran, and the attacks by Iran on targets in neighbouring countries. These attacks must all stop," Guterres said in a post on X. He warned that a return to full-scale hostilities would have "catastrophic consequences" for the people of the region, international peace and security, and the global economy. The UN chief urged both Washington and Tehran to resume negotiations and resolve outstanding issues through diplomacy. Meanwhile, the United States launched a fresh round of military strikes against Iran on Sunday. US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the operation is intended to further degrade Tehran's ability to target civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. In a post on X, CENTCOM said the strikes were carried out at the direction of the Commander-in-Chief to hold Iranian forces accountable. "At 5 p.m. ET today, U.S. Central Command forces began launching more strikes against Iran to continue degrading their ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The Commander-in-Chief has directed the strikes to hold Iranian forces accountable," CENTCOM stated. The latest strikes came amid heightened tensions in the Gulf region. According to Iran's Press TV, three explosions were reported in the southern Iranian cities of Jask, Bandar Abbas, and Sirik following the US operation. (ANI)
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