The Iranian Foreign Ministry has accused the United States and Israel — described in the statement as the “Zionist regime” — of carrying out what it called a criminal military aggression against Iran, warning that its armed forces are prepared to respond.

In a statement issued Saturday, the ministry said the alleged attacks occurred “this morning” and coincided with the eve of Nowruz and the tenth day of Ramadan. It claimed the strikes targeted “a series of defense infrastructures and civilian sites” in multiple cities across the country.

Addressing the public as “heroic and noble people of Iran,” the ministry said the country had once again faced aggression that it described as a violation of its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The statement alleged the airstrikes took place while Tehran and Washington were engaged in diplomatic discussions, arguing that Iran had continued negotiations despite what it described as clear hostile intent.

“Despite being confident in the intentions of the United States and the Zionist regime to carry out another military aggression, we once again entered into negotiations,” the ministry said, adding that Tehran sought to demonstrate the “illegitimacy of any excuse for aggression.”

Iran said it had exhausted diplomatic avenues to prevent conflict and insisted it is now prepared to defend itself. The ministry declared that its armed forces “will respond to the aggressors with authority” and vowed to use all available resources to repel what it termed an attack.

Citing international law, Tehran argued that the alleged strikes violate Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter, which prohibits the use of force against a state’s territorial integrity or political independence. It also invoked Article 51, which recognizes the inherent right to self-defense.

The ministry urged the United Nations and the Security Council to take immediate action, calling on the UN Secretary-General, the Security Council president, and member states to address what it described as a threat to international peace and security.

It also appealed to regional and Islamic countries, as well as members of the Non-Aligned Movement, to condemn the reported attacks and take collective action.

The statement concluded with a warning that the alleged military action has heightened risks to regional and global security, while reiterating Iran’s determination to resist. “History testifies that Iranians have never surrendered to foreign aggression,” it said, pledging that any response would be “decisive.”