Tehran, Feb 28 (NationPress) On Saturday, Iran proclaimed its intention to counter the United States and Israel with “authority and strength,” emphasizing its right to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity against what it considers a military offensive.

The coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran significantly escalated tensions in the Middle East, prompting fears of a broader conflict that could have extensive geopolitical and economic ramifications.

In retaliation, Iran confirmed the launch of ballistic missiles targeting Israel.

In a vehement statement, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced the US-Israeli strikes as an act of aggression, declaring, “Our sacred and beloved homeland, Proud Iran, a civilization-building nation, has once again been subjected to criminal military aggression by the United States and the Zionist regime.”

“This morning, just before Nowruz and on the tenth day of the holy month of Ramadan, the United States and the Zionist regime brazenly violated Iran's territorial integrity and national sovereignty by attacking various targets, including defense infrastructure and civilian locations across our nation,” it added.

Tehran noted that these strikes occurred amidst ongoing diplomatic negotiations between Iran and the United States.

“Despite our awareness of the US and Zionist regime's intentions for further military aggression, we once again engaged in negotiations to exhaust all avenues before the international community, aiming to showcase the legitimacy of the Iranian nation and to contest any pretext for aggression,” stated the Foreign Ministry.

Reaffirming its readiness for both dialogue and defense, the Ministry stressed, “Today, the people of Iran stand proud, having taken necessary measures to avert war. Now is the moment to defend the homeland and confront the enemy’s military incursion. While we were prepared for discussions, we have never been more ready for defense. The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will respond to aggressors with authority and strength.”

Iran asserted that the joint airstrikes contravene international law, specifically Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter, labeling them as “a clear act of armed aggression” against the nation.

“Responding to this aggression is Iran's lawful and legitimate right under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will deploy all their capabilities to confront this criminal aggression and repel the enemy's hostility,” the statement declared.

The Iranian government urged the United Nations and its Security Council to take immediate actions in response to what it termed a violation of international peace and security stemming from the US-Israel military actions.

“All UN Member States—especially regional nations and Islamic countries, along with members of the Non-Aligned Movement and all governments that uphold international peace and security—are expected to firmly denounce this act of aggression and undertake urgent, collective measures to counter it, as it has undeniably posed an unprecedented threat to regional and global peace and security,” the Ministry asserted.

Reiterating its determination, the statement concluded that the Iranian Armed Forces would not hesitate to defend the nation. “History shows that the Iranian people have never submitted to foreign aggression and domination. This time as well, the Iranian nation’s response will be decisive and consequential, making the aggressors regret their criminal act,” it concluded.