Iran asserts its attack on US forces is legitimate self‑defense

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said the country’s recent military strike on United States bases and vessels in the Persian Gulf was a lawful act of self‑defense. He argued the action counters a “continuous open military aggression” that began on 28 February by the United States and Israel, and rejected a United Nations spokesperson’s concern about the attack.

Baqaei stressed that Iran did not initiate hostilities, that the strike complies with international law, and that regional states hosting U.S. assets share responsibility for any escalation if their territory is used to launch attacks against Iran.