Iran’s strikes on Israel show its commitment to international law – official

Tehran has the right to self-defense, and its recent strikes on Israel have demonstrated its “commitment to international law,” Abbas-Ali Kadkhodaei, a senior adviser to Iran’s foreign minister, has said.

Kadkhodaei slammed Israel’s aggression in the Palestinian territories, citing UN resolutions and rulings by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which have repeatedly condemned the enduring occupation. 

“The forcible seizure of Palestinian territories by Israel does not grant sovereignty to the occupying power... States must not recognize or maintain this illegal situation and must take positive action to end the occupation,” Kadkhodaei said, urging the international community to press Israel into ending the fighting in Gaza and southern Lebanon.

“Given the numerous war crimes committed by Israeli soldiers, the international community should exert pressure on the regime to end the war. This can be achieved by cutting off military and financial aid to Israel and demanding a ceasefire.”

The October 1  missile barrage fired by Tehran into Israel was conducted in full compliance with international law and constituted Iran’s “inherent right to self-defense” exercised in the wake of “repeated Israeli attacks and the UN Security Council’s failure to act,” the senior adviser said.

The strikes “demonstrated Iran’s “commitment to international law and its determination to protect its sovereignty. Any attempt to impede Iran’s right to self-defense would be a violation of international law and would have serious consequences,” Kadkhodaei warned.

Iran fired around 200 ballistic missiles into Israel in response to the killings of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders and an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) general.

Israel has vowed to respond to the strikes, with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant promising to deliver a “deadly, pinpoint accurate, and surprising” retaliation. The targets reportedly being considered by Israel include Iran’s energy and nuclear facilities and infrastructure.