NEW YORK – Iran asserts its Saturday attack against Israel was a justified act of self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, responding directly to an earlier Israeli strike on an Iranian consulate in Syria.
In a statement issued via its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, Iran declared the matter "concluded" but issued a chilling warning: any further Israeli aggression would result in a far more severe Iranian response.
Iran also directed a blunt message to the United States, Israel's principal ally, demanding that the US remain uninvolved in the escalating conflict.
Israeli air defenses were successful in intercepting the Iranian strikes, according to CNN reports. A CNN team in Jerusalem witnessed explosions and sirens as multiple interceptions occurred. Observers reported seeing approximately 20 to 30 interceptions in the skies above Jerusalem.
The United States has thrown its support behind Israel, with a US defense official confirming that US forces continue to assist in shooting down Iranian drones. The official stated the US remains committed to providing defensive support and protecting its forces in the region.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the Iranian attack with a vow of both defensive and offensive action, emphasizing Israel's preparedness for Iranian aggression.
"The State of Israel is strong. The IDF is strong. The public is strong," Netanyahu declared. He expressed gratitude for international support from the US, Britain, France, and other nations.
The Iranian missile and drone strikes mark a dangerous escalation tied to the ongoing Israeli campaign against Hamas in Gaza. Iran's retaliation followed an Israeli airstrike on an Iranian facility in Syria, resulting in the deaths of three high-ranking Iranian generals. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), confirming the attack on Israel, cited the Syrian strike as its motivation.
