Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of IranRegarding the military aggression by the Zionist regime and the UnitedStates against IranHeroic and noble people of Iran,Iranian compatriots,Our sacred and beloved homeland, proud and civilization-making Iran, hasonce again been subjected to criminal military aggression by the UnitedStates and the Zionist regime.This morning, on the eve of Nowruz and on the tenth day of the holy monthof Ramadan, the United States and the Zionist regime, in a gross violationof Iran’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty, attacked a seriesof targets, defense infrastructures, and civilian sites in various citiesof our country.The renewed military aggression of the United States and the Zionist regimeagainst Iran is being committed while Iran and the United States were inthe midst of a diplomatic process. Despite being confident in theintentions of the United States and the Zionist regime to carry out anothermilitary aggression, we once again entered into negotiations to proveto the international system and all countries of the world the legitimacyof the Iranian nation and to demonstrate the illegitimacy of any excuse foraggression.Now the Iranian people are proud that they did everything necessary toprevent war. Now is the time to defend the homeland and confront theenemy's military aggression. Just as we were ready for negotiations, wehave been more prepared than ever for defense. The armed forces of theIslamic Republic of Iran will respond to the aggressors with authority.The airstrikes by the Zionist and American regimes on Iran are a violationof Article 2(4), of the United Nations Charter and a clear armed aggressionagainst the Islamic Republic of Iran. Responding to this aggression isIran's legal and legitimate right in accordance with Article 51 of theUnited Nations Charter, and the armed forces of the Islamic Republic ofIran will use all their might and resources to confront this criminalaggression and repel the enemy's evil act.The Islamic Republic of Iran recalls the grave duty of the United Nationsand its Security Council to take immediate action to confront the violationof international peace and security due to the clear military aggression ofthe United States and the Zionist regime against Iran, and calls on the UNSecretary-General, the President of the Security Council, and the membersof this Council to fulfill their duty as soon as possible.All member states of the United Nations, especially regional and Islamiccountries, members of the Non-Aligned Movement, and all states that feelresponsible for international peace and security, are expected to firmlycondemn this act of aggression and take urgent and collective action toconfront it, which has undoubtedly exposed the peace and security of theregion and the world to an unprecedented threat.And now, at a time when the great test of history has arrived, the armedforces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, inspired by the great epic heritageof this land and relying on God Almighty, with faith in the promise ofdivine victory, and relying on national power, will not hesitate to defendour beloved homeland with all their might.History testifies that Iranians have never surrendered to foreignaggression and hegemony; this time too, the response of the Iranian nationwill be decisive and determining and will make the aggressors regret theircriminal act.Long live IranMinistry of Foreign Affairs