Iran has labeled Israel’s strikes on its nuclear facilities and military leaders a “declaration of war,” according to multiple media reports, and swiftly replaced top commanders who were killed in the attacks. 

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s comments were accompanied by a statement from his department asserting that “aggression against Iran could not have been carried out without the coordination and approval of the United States.” 

The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated on Friday, “Consequently, the U.S. government, as the primary patron of this regime, will also bear responsibility for the dangerous repercussions of the Zionist regime’s reckless actions.” 

The strikes resulted in the deaths of Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami and the country’s chief of staff of the armed forces, Gen. Mohammad Bagheri. Reports from Iranian media indicate that Ahmad Vahidi has been temporarily appointed to replace Salami, while Habibollah Sayyari will fill in for Bagheri. 

 

The Jerusalem Post noted that Vahidi previously served as Iran’s defense minister and interior minister, and led the IRGC’s elite Quds Force (QF) from 1988 to 1998. The publication also linked Vahidi to the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which resulted in 85 fatalities during his time with the IRGC-QF. 

Sayyari is a former marine who commanded Iran’s navy from 2007 to 2017. 

 

Iran’s Foreign Ministry stated on Friday that Israel’s strikes “constitute a violation of Article 2(4) of the U.N. Charter and a blatant act of aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran.” 

“In accordance with Article 51 of the U.N. Charter, Iran reserves the legitimate and legal right to respond to this aggression. The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will not hesitate to defend Iran’s sovereignty with full strength and in the manner they deem appropriate,” the ministry added. 

The foreign ministry further stated, “As a founding member of the — an organization whose very purpose is to prevent aggression, breaches of peace, and threats to peace — the Islamic Republic of Iran underscores the Security Council’s obligation to take immediate action against this violation of international peace and security, stemming from the Zionist regime’s blatant aggression. We call upon the President and members of the Council to act without delay in this regard.” 

The ministry concluded, “The grave and far-reaching consequences of the Zionist regime’s aggression against our beloved homeland, Iran, will rest entirely upon this regime and its supporters.”