Iran says it has right to defend itself after two soldiers killed in Israeli airstrikes

After Israel attacked Iran’s military targets, the Iranian foreign ministry said they were entitled to defend themselves. 

“On the basis of its inherent right to legitimate defence, stipulated in Article 51 of the UN Charter, the Islamic Republic of Iran considers itself to be rightful and duty bound to defend against the foreign acts of aggression,” said the ministry. 

It further added that Iran will “employ all of the physical and spiritual capabilities of the Iranian nation to protect its interests and security.”

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Meanwhile, Lebanon's Hezbollah on Saturday launched a drone attack against Israel's Tel Nof airbase, south of Tel Aviv, and also targeted an intelligence base in the northern Israeli city of Safed. 

Hezbollah has intensified its attack on Israel, after Tel Aviv’s bombing of southern Lebanon, Beirut’s southern suburbs and Bekaa Valley, killing many of its leaders. 

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Israel had indicated that it was braced for a potential ‘retaliatory’ response but warned Iran against it. 

IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said, if Iran makes the mistake of beginning a new round of escalation, then we will respond. 

Reportedly, two Iranian soldiers were killed in the overnight strikes. At least three Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps missile bases were targeted in the strikes. 

Israeli drones also targeted the Parchin military base on the outskirts of Tehran and the S-300 air defence of Imam Khomeini International Airport, said reports. The Israeli airstrikes were carried out in retaliation to a missile attack launched by Iran on 1 October.

Amid fears of Mideast tensions escalating, France along with many countries urged Israel to refrain from further escalation. In a statement, the French foreign ministry urged Israel to “refrain from any escalation or action likely to aggravate the context of extreme tension” in the region.

Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan have all condemned the attacks, while the UK and US have warned against further escalation.