Foreign Ministry: US Military Action Against Iran Lacks Any Legal Basis

Iran has denounced a reported US military strike, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei stating that the action cannot be justified under the principle of self-defense.

In a post on his X account on Friday, Baqaei questioned the US position, asking what armed attack by Iran could possibly justify such a claim. He stressed that no such attack had taken place and described the US action as an act of aggression against Iran.

His remarks came in response to a US Department of State report characterizing the operation as self-defense.

According to Iranian accounts, tensions escalated on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched what Tehran described as an unprovoked military operation against Iran. Iranian officials claimed that senior figures, including Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and several military commanders, were killed in the attacks.

Iranian Armed Forces subsequently launched missile and drone strikes against US and Israeli military positions in the region, including in the occupied territories and the Persian Gulf. The retaliatory campaign reportedly continued for 40 days and involved around 100 waves of attacks.

Tehran also imposed restrictions on maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, including temporary closure to vessels linked to adversaries and later requiring prior authorization from Iranian authorities. The measures followed US announcements regarding continued restrictions targeting Iranian shipping and ports.