Iranian FM: We have to respond based on our legitimate right to self-defence
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said on Sunday that it is the responsibility of the “whole international community” to stop US threats against Iran, and Tehran will respond based on its “legitimate right to self-defence.”
Speaking in Istanbul, where he is attending a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Araghchi said the “warmongering and lawless” US administration will be “solely and fully responsible for the dangerous consequences and for reaching implications of its act of aggression”.
“The US military attack on the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of a UN member state carried out in collusion with the genocidal Israeli regime has once again revealed the extent of the United States’ hostility towards the peace-seeking people of Iran,” he added.
Asked whether there is still room for diplomacy after the US attack, Araghchi said, “Not right now”.
“My country has been under attack, under aggression, and we have to respond based on our legitimate right to self-defence,” he added.
The Iranian foreign minister is set to fly to Moscow today for a meeting and “serious consultations” with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday.
“Russia is a friend of Iran, and we enjoy a strategic partnership,” he told the news conference in Istanbul.
“We always consult with each other and coordinate our positions,” Araghchi said, noting that Russia was one of the signatories of the JCPOA.
Accordingly, the Kremlin said on Sunday that President Putin had no plans to speak to President Donald Trump following U.S. attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites, but added the call could be quickly arranged, state news agency TASS reported.
In response to a question about a potential Turkish mediation to end hostilities, the Iranian foreign minister said he had “very productive meetings” with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
“I also had conversations with [diplomats of] other countries in the region. Some of the countries … such as Turkey are indicating they could mediate so attacks from Israel can stop,” he told reporters, adding, “I do believe that I’m going to start some actions and discussions … to prevent this American aggression.”
But the Iranian FM indicated that a military response is inevitable. “My country has been invaded and we must respond… We cannot ignore this issue. The door to negotiations should always remain open, but this situation does not exist now.”
In this context, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities have raised the risk of the regional conflict spreading globally, adding that Ankara was deeply concerned about possible repercussions following the attacks.
Earlier this morning, Iran launched at least 40 missiles in a heavy barrage that struck targets in the Zionist entity in response to the US attacks.
A spokesperson for the Iranian military operation Al-Waad Al-Sadiq 3 (True Promise 3) stated that the missile attacks targeted Ben Gurion Airport, biological research centers, and “Israeli” command and control facilities.
