Iran says the US committed a “third betrayal of diplomacy” by violating a June 18 memorandum just 20 days after its conclusion, as US strikes killed at least seven soldiers at a military garrison and hit civilian infrastructure including a wheat silo, a mineral water factory, and a maritime control tower.
“The US criminal regime, simultaneously with announcing a naval blockade against the Iranian nation – which is an explicit admission of violating another part of its commitment under the Islamabad understanding – has intensified its aggressive attacks against the Islamic Republic of Iran and committed numerous war crimes,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday.
The ministry detailed specific attacks it said constituted US war crimes over the past week, including an attack early Wednesday on a garrison of the army’s 388th Brigade in Bampur, near the southeastern city of Iranshahr, which killed seven soldiers and wounded several others.
It also cited a strike on a wheat storage silo in Hoveyzeh; an attack on a mineral water factory in the Mousian district of Dehloran; and a strike on the Chabahar maritime control tower, which the ministry said was aimed at disrupting rescue operations for fishermen and undermining maritime trade security.
The ministry said the US attacks are a “flagrant violation” of the UN Charter and fundamental rules of international law.
“The repeated threats to attack bridges and power plants, simultaneous with strikes on vital infrastructure, is clear evidence of the criminal intent of the US ruling establishment to commit heinous crimes,” the statement said.
It added that such acts constitute “serious international crimes” under the Geneva Conventions of 1949, and that all governments are obligated to prosecute and punish the perpetrators and commanders of such crimes.
The ministry said those who directly carry out such crimes “cannot absolve themselves of legal, moral and conscientious responsibility by citing orders from superior commanders.”
The ministry affirmed that Iran, “inspired by its authentic national, moral and religious values” and citing Article 51 of the UN Charter, is using all its capacities to defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity against the American-Zionist military onslaught, and “will show no leniency” in this path.
However, it stressed that Iran’s resistance “does not in any way absolve the United Nations and the international community of their legal responsibility to fulfill their duties and hold the aggressors accountable for violating international peace and security.”
“Indifference to American-Zionist bullying and lawlessness, and inaction in the face of flagrant violations of fundamental norms of international law and humanitarian law, will have lasting and dangerous consequences for all countries and the entire international community,” it warned.
The ministry said the US ruling establishment has “for the third time in one year, simultaneously with the negotiation process, blatantly betrayed diplomacy”.
This time it “did not even respect the sanctity of its own signature on a 14-article memorandum of understanding” reached with Iran’s goodwill and the efforts of mediators, the statement said.
“Thus, the perfidious and warmongering US ruling establishment once again committed a repeat betrayal of diplomacy, and by once again disrespecting the institution of mediation and repeatedly violating the norms of dialogue and understanding, violated and rendered ineffective all components of the June 18 memorandum to end the war,” it said.
“Full responsibility for the consequences and repercussions of this breach of covenant lies with the arrogant US regime.”
The ministry issued a pointed appeal to Iran’s southern Persian Gulf neighbors, urging them to “immediately prevent the aggressors from using their land, sea and air territories and facilities for aggression against Iran” to stop the “continuation and expansion of the flames of war in the region.”
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has no hostility or enmity with any of its neighbors or regional countries, and firmly believes that the only way to establish sustainable security in the region is understanding and cooperation among regional countries, free from US military presence and destructive and malicious interventions,” the statement said.
The ministry said Iran’s defensive strikes against military bases, facilities and assets used for aggression against it are consistent with its “inherent legal right to self-defense” under international law and Article 51 of the UN Charter.
It warned that Tehran will not allow the “American-Zionist conspiracy” to create hostility and mistrust among regional nations to succeed.
