Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson: "The United States and Israel must be held accountable for the war... We will exercise the right to self-defense"

Ismail Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry, stated in an interview with CNN on the 22nd (local time), "The United States and Israel must be held responsible for the consequences of this war."

Baghaei said, "The Trump administration betrayed diplomacy. They are not qualified to talk about diplomacy," but added, "Nevertheless, diplomacy is not over."

Regarding the U.S. military attack on Iran's nuclear facilities early that morning, he stressed, "The right to self-defense is a right guaranteed by international law, and we will definitely exercise that right." He avoided commenting on the extent of damages or potential countermeasures.

He also warned, "The recent remarks by President Trump and additional threats of attack constitute 'collective bullying' on an international scale. As a result, the Middle East is facing an unprecedented crisis in history."

Baghaei insisted that Iran's response was strictly limited to military and security objectives, stating, "We did not attack civilians. On the contrary, it was Israel that targeted civilians."

He continued, "The Israeli Defense Minister’s threat against Iran’s Supreme Leader amounts to a blatant act of terrorist intimidation against the head of state, and these remarks are extremely shameful and shocking," he strongly criticized.

Finally, Baghaei said, "Iran has done its utmost for diplomacy and peace so far," adding, "History will never forgive what the U.S. administration is committing."