Strikes on US bases a legal act of self-defence - Iran

Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, stated that the country's attacks on US targets in the Middle East are a reaction to the conflict "forced" upon them by the US and Israel. In a discussion with NBC, he emphasized that Iran did not initiate the war and is acting in self-defense. "This is not a war we chose. It has been imposed on us by the United States and Israel," he mentioned, calling the situation "unprovoked, unwarranted, and illegal." Araghchi noted that Iran's military responses are aimed at US bases, facilities, and resources in the region, regardless of whether they are on the soil of neighboring nations. Additionally, he remarked that the selection of a new supreme leader will be determined by Iran's Assembly of Experts, highlighting that this is an internal issue for the Iranian people. Araghchi confirmed that Iran's political systems are functioning as usual. "A new supreme leader will be elected soon by the Assembly of Experts," he said, while also mentioning that the president, cabinet, and parliament are all performing their roles. He rejected comments from US President Donald Trump, asserting that Iran would not permit outside involvement in its internal matters. "It is up to the Iranian people to choose their new leader," he stated. "This is strictly the concern of the Iranian people and no one else's."