History bears witness that the Iranian people have never yielded to domination or foreign aggression. On this occasion as well, the response of the Iranian nation shall be resolute and decisive, and shall cause the aggressors to regret their criminal actions. Our sacred and beloved homeland, the proud and civilization-building Iran, has once again been subjected to criminal military aggression by the United States and the Zionist regime. In the early hours of this morning, on the eve of Nowruz and on the tenth day of the holy month of Ramadan, the United States and the Zionist regime, in a flagrant violation of the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of Iran, launched attacks against a number of defensive targets, infrastructures, and civilian sites in various cities of our country. This renewed military aggression has been committed at a time when Iran and the United States were engaged in a diplomatic process. Despite being aware of the intentions of the United States and the Zionist regime to carry out further acts of aggression, the Islamic Republic of Iran once again entered into negotiations in order to complete the argument before the international community and all nations of the world, to demonstrate the legitimacy of the Iranian nation’s position, and to remove any pretext for aggression. Today, the Iranian people stand proud, having done everything necessary to prevent war. It is now the time to defend the homeland and confront the enemy’s military assault. Just as we were prepared for negotiations, we are more prepared than ever to defend the sovereignty and integrity of Iran. The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran shall respond to the aggressors with full authority. The aerial attacks carried out by the United States and the Zionist regime constitute a violation of Article 2(4) of the Charter of the United Nations and amount to a clear act of armed aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran. The response to such aggression is the inherent and lawful right of Iran under Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations. The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran shall employ all necessary capacities and means to counter this criminal aggression and repel the hostile acts of the enemy. The Islamic Republic of Iran underscores the grave responsibility of the United Nations and its Security Council to take immediate action in response to the breach of international peace and security resulting from the manifest military aggression of the United States and the Zionist regime against Iran. The Secretary-General of the United Nations, the President of the Security Council, and its members are called upon to fulfil their duties without delay. All Member States of the United Nations, particularly the countries of the region and the Islamic world, members of the Non-Aligned Movement, and all states that bear responsibility for international peace and security, are expected to unequivocally condemn this act of aggression and to undertake urgent and collective measures to confront it, as it unquestionably poses an unprecedented threat to regional and global peace and security. At this critical juncture in history, the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, inspired by the great heroic legacy of this land and relying upon national strength and faith in divine assistance, shall not hesitate in resolutely defending our beloved homeland. History bears witness that the Iranian people have never submitted to foreign domination and aggression; this time as well, the response of the Iranian nation shall be decisive and consequential. Long live Iran Ministry of Foreign Affairs Islamic Republic of Iran