Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the Brutal U.S. Attacks and the War Crimes Committed (Unofficial Translation) 16 July 2026 Over the past several days, the criminal U.S. regime, while simultaneously announcing a naval blockade against the Iranian nation—an explicit admission of yet another violation of the United States' commitments under the Islamabad Understanding—has intensified its acts of aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran and committed numerous war crimes, particularly by targeting civilian facilities and infrastructure. The attack on the accommodation facility of the Army's 388th Brigade in Bampur, Iranshahr, in the early hours of Wednesday, 15 July, which resulted in the martyrdom of seven courageous defenders of the homeland and the injury of several others; the attack on a wheat storage silo in Hoveyzeh County; the strike on a bottled water production plant in the Musian district of Dehloran County; the attack on the Chabahar maritime control tower with the aim of disrupting assistance to fishermen and undermining the security of maritime commerce; together with numerous similar attacks, constitute only a fraction of the war crimes committed by the American aggressors during the past week. These unlawful attacks undoubtedly constitute flagrant violations of the Charter of the United Nations and the fundamental principles of international law. While strongly condemning these attacks and the crimes committed, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs extends its deepest condolences and congratulations to the resilient and honorable families of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in defense of Iran's territorial integrity, independence, and dignity, and prays to Almighty God for the speedy recovery and good health of the wounded defenders of the nation. The United States' acts of aggression against Iran, accompanied by its officials' vulgar rhetoric and sinister threats, have no objective other than hostility toward the Iranian people for insisting on their independence, legitimate rights, and human dignity. The repeated threats to attack bridges and power plants, coupled with strikes against critical infrastructure, provide clear evidence of the criminal intent of the U.S. ruling establishment to commit grave crimes which, under the fundamental principles of international criminal law—including the Four Geneva Conventions of 1949—constitute serious international crimes. All States are under an obligation to investigate, prosecute, and punish those responsible for ordering and perpetrating such crimes. Those who directly carry out these criminal acts must also understand that obedience to superior orders cannot absolve them of either their legal responsibility or the moral burden of committing war crimes. Inspired by the enduring national, moral, and religious values of the Iranian people, and acting in accordance with the fundamental principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law, particularly Article 51 of the UN Charter, the Islamic Republic of Iran will employ all available means to defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity against the military aggression and hybrid warfare waged by the American-Zionist enemy. In pursuing this legitimate right, Iran will show no leniency whatsoever. The steadfast resistance of the Iranian people against the ruthless assault of the American aggressors in no way diminishes the legal responsibility of the United Nations and the international community to fulfill their obligations and hold the perpetrators accountable for violating international peace and security. Indifference toward American-Zionist bullying and lawlessness, and inaction in the face of blatant violations of international law and international humanitarian law, will have lasting and dangerous consequences for all nations and for the international community as a whole.  The people of Iran, together with regional and global public opinion, have once again witnessed that the U.S. ruling establishment has, for the third time within a single year, openly betrayed diplomacy while negotiations were underway. This time, it even failed to honor its own signature on a fourteen-point understanding reached through Iran's good faith and the dedicated efforts of mediators. Merely twenty days after signing the agreement, the United States violated multiple provisions on the basis of a baseless pretext and once again reignited the flames of war and hostility against the great Iranian nation. By doing so, the oath-breaking and war-mongering U.S. administration has once again betrayed diplomacy. Through its renewed disregard for the institution of mediation and its repeated assault on the principles of dialogue and mutual understanding, it has violated and rendered ineffective every component of the ceasefire understanding reached on 18 June. Full responsibility for all consequences arising from this breach of commitments rests solely with the arrogant U.S. regime. While condemning the colonial and hegemonic policy of the United States in violating the sovereignty of States through the establishment of military bases and the deployment of its forces on their territories, the Islamic Republic of Iran once again emphasizes the responsibility of all States—particularly the southern neighboring countries of the Persian Gulf—to prevent the United States from using their territory and facilities to prepare and launch acts of aggression against Iran. Iran further stresses that its defensive strikes against military bases, facilities, and assets used in acts of aggression against the Islamic Republic are fully consistent with its inherent and lawful right of self-defense under international law and Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations. The Islamic Republic of Iran urgently calls upon the southern neighboring countries of the Persian Gulf to immediately prevent the aggressors from using their land, territorial waters, airspace, and facilities for attacks against Iran, thereby preventing the continuation and expansion of the flames of war in the region. Iran also urges them not to allow the sinister American-Zionist conspiracy aimed at sowing hostility and mistrust among the countries of the region to succeed. The Islamic Republic of Iran reiterates that it harbors no hostility toward any of its neighbors or regional countries and firmly believes that lasting regional security can only be achieved through dialogue and cooperation among the countries of the region, free from foreign military presence and the destructive and malicious interference of the United States.