In a major escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, Iran has vehemently condemned what it calls a “blatant act of aggression” following Israeli military strikes on Iranian territory, including parts of the capital, Tehran. The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a scathing statement on Friday through its official X (formerly Twitter) account, denouncing Israel for violating Iran’s territorial integrity and sovereignty through strikes that resulted in significant casualties, including the deaths of several high-ranking military officials and nuclear scientists.

Tehran Under Fire: Iran Accuses Israel of Targeting Both Military and Civilian Zones

According to Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Israeli forces struck several areas in Iran during the early hours of Friday, including residential neighborhoods and military installations in Tehran and other major cities. The ministry described the airstrikes as an “unprovoked and unforgivable crime,” directly accusing the “Zionist regime” of launching a coordinated assault against the Iranian homeland.

“This morning, the occupying and rogue Zionist regime violated the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of our dear Iran,” the ministry wrote. “The attacks targeted multiple locations, including civilian zones in Tehran and other urban centers across the country.”

Iranian authorities reported casualties from the strikes, which included the deaths of prominent military figures described as defenders of the Iranian state. The exact number of casualties remains unclear, but the toll reportedly includes key figures in the country’s nuclear and military command.

Key Iranian Military Commanders Killed in Israeli Attacks

The strikes are believed to have killed General Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), along with Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Iran’s chief of staff and its highest-ranking military officer. The IRGC confirmed Salami’s death in a brief statement Friday morning.

In addition, former national security chief Ali Shamkhani and several unnamed nuclear scientists were also reported among the dead, signaling that Israel targeted the upper echelons of Iran’s strategic and defense leadership. These losses mark one of the most severe blows to Iran’s defense establishment in recent years.

Iran Calls Israeli Strikes a Violation of International Law

The Iranian Foreign Ministry invoked Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the sovereignty or political independence of any state, to declare the airstrikes illegal under international law. The statement emphasized Iran’s right to respond under Article 51 of the UN Charter, which permits nations to engage in self-defense when attacked.

“The Zionist regime’s attacks on Iran constitute a violation of international law,” the ministry declared. “In accordance with Article 51, Iran reserves the legitimate and legal right to respond to this aggression in a manner it deems necessary.”

A Promise of Retaliation: Iran Pledges a Strong Military Response

Iran’s leadership has signaled its determination to retaliate. The Foreign Ministry’s statement made it clear that Iran’s armed forces are fully prepared to respond with force.

“The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will not hesitate to defend Iran’s sovereignty with full strength and in the manner they deem appropriate,” the statement read.

The Iranian government has begun coordinating with allied regional forces, raising the possibility of broader conflict in the region. Defense analysts warn that Iran’s retaliation may involve proxy forces in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, potentially igniting a multi-front conflict.

Appeal to the United Nations and the International Community

In addition to vowing a military response, Iran is turning to the global diplomatic community for support. Tehran has formally called on the United Nations Security Council to intervene and label Israel’s actions a threat to international peace and security.

“As a founding member of the United Nations… Iran underscores the Security Council’s obligation to take immediate action against this violation of international peace,” the ministry said.

Iran also appealed directly to UN Secretary-General António Guterres and urged other nations, particularly those in the Islamic world and the Non-Aligned Movement, to collectively condemn Israel’s actions and pressure the international community to prevent further escalation.

Israel Confirms Strikes: “We Targeted Iran’s Nuclear Weaponisation Program”

In a rare public confirmation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday that the Israeli military had carried out a “significant operation” targeting what he described as the “head of Iran’s nuclear weaponisation program.”

According to Netanyahu, the targets included:

• Iran’s main uranium enrichment facility in Natanz

• Several nuclear scientists directly involved in the country’s weapons development

• Components of Iran’s ballistic missile infrastructure

While Israel has not released full details of the operation, defense officials claimed that the strikes were precise and designed to cripple Iran’s strategic capabilities.

Iran Blames United States for Enabling the Attack

In its statement, Iran did not stop at blaming Israel alone. The Foreign Ministry pointed fingers at the United States, which it accused of enabling the Israeli assault through strategic and logistical support.

“The Zionist regime’s acts of aggression could not have been carried out without the coordination and approval of the United States,” the ministry said. “Consequently, the U.S. government… will also bear responsibility for the dangerous repercussions.”

This charge comes amid already strained U.S.-Iran relations, especially following recent American sanctions, military deployments in the Gulf, and broader support for Israel amid its ongoing conflict with Hamas.

Global Reactions and Regional Implications

The international community has not yet issued coordinated responses to the strikes, but analysts predict a flurry of diplomatic efforts in the coming days. The situation threatens to unravel already fragile security arrangements in the Middle East, particularly at a time when tensions between Israel, Iran, and their allies are at a boiling point.

Experts say the Israeli strikes represent a major escalation that could draw in countries such as Lebanon (via Hezbollah), Iraq (via PMF militias), and possibly even Russia or China, both of which have strategic partnerships with Tehran.

Meanwhile, fears of a broader war have already sent global oil prices surging, and concerns about maritime security in the Persian Gulf are prompting military alerts in the region.

Conclusion: The Brink of War?

With both sides showing no signs of backing down, the Middle East appears to be teetering on the edge of a broader conflict. Iran’s pledge to retaliate, the deaths of key military leaders, and direct Israeli strikes on Tehran signal that the decades-long shadow war between the two regional powers has now escalated into open confrontation.

Whether the United Nations or global diplomatic actors can de-escalate the crisis remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: the fallout from these events will reverberate far beyond the region, potentially altering the balance of power in the Middle East for years to come.