Iran Condemns US Strikes, Accuses Washington of Violating Peace Deal

Iran on Saturday condemned the United States’ strikes on several locations along its southern coast and accused Washington of violating the United Nations (UN) Charter and a recently signed pact to end the war. In a statement, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the strikes targeted surveillance facilities in the coastal region. Tehran also reaffirmed its right to self-defence, stating that its armed forces had launched retaliatory strikes against targets linked to the United States. The ministry also urged Gulf states to prevent aggressor parties from using their territories and facilities to carry out acts of aggression against Iran. Furthermore, Iran called on the UN and international bodies not to remain indifferent to this flagrant violation of international law. The United States announced on Friday evening that its forces had struck Iranian missile, drone, and radar storage sites after accusing Tehran of being behind an attack on a commercial vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz. In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that its navy had struck several US military positions in the region and warned of a harsher response should the escalation continue. Earlier this month, Tehran and Washington reached a 14-point memorandum of understanding mediated by Pakistan, which came into effect on 18 June after being electronically signed by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump. The agreement included a cessation of hostilities on various fronts, including Lebanon, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and the lifting of the US naval blockade against Iran. Both countries also agreed to continue negotiations for 60 days to reach a more comprehensive and long-term agreement.