Iran accuses US, Israel of violating UN Charter, vows 'decisive' response

2026-02-28 - 11:22

Iran's Foreign Ministry issued a formal condemnation on Saturday of the coordinated US-Israeli military operation, characterizing the attacks as a fundamental breach of the country's sovereignty and a violation of Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter. The official statement emphasized that the strikes targeted both defense infrastructure and civilian sites across multiple Iranian cities, occurring precisely when Tehran and Washington were engaged in active diplomatic negotiations through Omani mediation. Diplomacy abandoned for aggression The ministry's statement underscored that Iran had consistently prioritized diplomatic channels to prevent armed confrontation, yet found itself subjected to military aggression despite ongoing talks. "The time has now come to defend the homeland," the declaration read, signaling a shift from diplomatic engagement to military preparedness. Tehran emphasized that its armed forces stand ready to respond in a "decisive and powerful manner" to what it described as unprovoked aggression against its territory and people. Legal basis for retaliation cited Asserting its rights under international law, Tehran invoked Article 51 of the UN Charter, which guarantees member states the inherent right to individual or collective self-defense against armed attack. The Foreign Ministry called upon the UN Security Council and the broader international community to condemn the US-Israeli action and take urgent measures to address what Iran views as a dangerous precedent for interstate relations. The legal argument positions Iran as acting within its rights should it choose to retaliate militarily. Context of ongoing negotiations Saturday's military escalation comes at a particularly sensitive moment in regional diplomacy. Washington and Tehran had been engaged in talks mediated by Oman regarding Iran's nuclear program, with the most recent round concluding in Geneva just days prior. Tehran's statement highlighted this timing as evidence that military action was pursued despite available diplomatic pathways, raising questions about the stated objectives of the US-Israeli operation. As regional powers including Türkiye monitor developments closely, Iran's vow of retaliation sets the stage for potential further escalation in an already volatile Middle East.