Iran Warns Israel of 'Crushing' Response After Strike

(MENAFN) Iran declared in the early hours of Monday that its missile assault on northern Israel was an act of "self-defense," framing the strikes as a legally justified response to repeated ceasefire violations and sustained aggression against Lebanese and Iranian interests.

In a formal statement, the Iranian Foreign Ministry asserted that the strikes were executed under Tehran's "legitimate right to self-defense" in full accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter — the provision permitting military force in response to armed attack.

The ministry leveled sharp accusations at Israel, charging it with systematically violating an April 8 ceasefire and escalating its offensive operations against both Lebanon and Iran. The statement went further, accusing Washington and Tel Aviv of collaborating with what it termed the "terrorist US army" in recent attacks targeting Iranian vessels and installations in southern Iran — and branding both governments complicit in "maritime piracy" against Iranian interests.

Iran confirmed its armed forces had struck several military targets across northern Israel late Sunday, characterizing the operation as a measured and proportionate response.

"The ceasefire in Lebanon was an inseparable part of the April 8 understanding," the statement read, holding the United States directly accountable for Israeli ceasefire breaches and any subsequent regional escalation that may follow.

Tehran closed its statement with a stark warning, cautioning that any further Israeli "adventurism" targeting Lebanon or Iran would be met with a "crushing and comprehensive response" from Iranian armed forces.

Sunday's missile barrages — the first such bombardment since the fragile April ceasefire took hold — were triggered by an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs, which Tel Aviv claimed had targeted a Hezbollah command and planning center in the Lebanese capital.

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