Tehran - Saba:
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressed that the Israeli entity does not recognize any borders or limitations, saying, "Iran does not want this war to expand to other countries or the region under any circumstances."
In a meeting with ambassadors, chargés d'affaires, and heads of foreign and international diplomatic missions residing in Tehran, Araghchi said, according to the Iranian news agency IRNA: "Since Friday morning, the Zionist entity has launched attacks on various targets in Iran without any prior warning or context, and this constitutes a clear aggression against Iranian territory."
He added that various targets were attacked, most notably the Natanz nuclear facility and some targets inside Tehran and residential areas, resulting in the deaths of a large number of civilians in Tehran and various cities.
Araghchi pointed out that the university professors, nuclear scientists, and military commanders who were martyred in this aggression, which came on the eve of the sixth round of negotiations, were not in a state of war and were in their homes, confirming that the Israeli entity knows no bounds in its aggression.
The Iranian Foreign Minister continued that the events against Iran, including numerous actions, many of which harmed children and civilians, coincided with the ongoing negotiations with the United States, which were scheduled to take place on Sunday.
He explained that international law does not justify such actions, and that the entire world has witnessed that not only have the innocent Palestinian people fallen victim to human rights violations, but that new red lines have also been drawn in this situation.
The Iranian Foreign Minister considered Iran's response to the Zionist entity's aggression targeting military and economic targets in the occupied Palestinian territories a legitimate right to self-defense under international law. He explained that Iran targeted only military targets on the first night, but because the Zionist entity had attacked economic targets the day before, including the Tehran refinery and some areas in Asaluyeh, Iran also attacked Zionist economic targets, including its refineries, starting last night.
Referring to the attack on the Iranian Asaluyeh region (southern Iran), Araghchi described it as blatant aggression and an extremely dangerous act. He considered dragging the conflict into the Gulf region a major strategic mistake, likely premeditated and intended to expand the war beyond Iranian territory.
He continued, "The Gulf is a very sensitive and complex region, and any military development there could affect not only the entire region, but the entire world. The Zionist entity initiated this action yesterday, and we hope the international community will act as quickly as possible to stop these crimes and attacks."
Referring to the Zionist entity's attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, the Iranian Foreign Minister said, "This regime has crossed a new red line in international law, namely, attacking nuclear facilities. This is a very serious violation and crime from an international perspective and prohibited under any circumstances. Unfortunately, this has also been met with indifference by the Security Council."
Araghchi commended the countries that condemned the Zionist aggression against Iran, particularly its nuclear facilities, adding that there are countries in Europe that claim to be civilized and committed to international law, but instead of condemning the Israeli entity, they condemned Iran because, as they claim, it violated the law.
In this context, Araghchi explained that Iran's response to these Zionist attacks was based on the principle of self-defense, an accepted principle in international relations and a legitimate right of every country to defend itself against any aggression. He noted that this is what the Iranian armed forces had already begun two nights ago, and that everyone witnessed its new dimensions last night, and that it will continue.
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