Iran vows legal action against Israel and U.S. over conflict deaths

Iran has said it remains determined to pursue legal action against Israel and the United States over the deaths of senior officials and civilians during recent military confrontations, insisting it will seek accountability through international bodies.

Iran has said it remains determined to pursue legal action against Israel and the United States over the deaths of senior officials and civilians during recent military confrontations, insisting it will seek accountability through international bodies.

Speaking at his weekly press briefing on Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran had compiled evidence of what it described as war crimes committed during the 12-day conflict in June and an earlier 40-day conflict in February.

Baghaei said Iran was seeking justice for those killed, including senior officials and civilians.

Tehran accuses U.S. of breaching ceasefire

Baghaei said a ceasefire memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States had entered a "critical juncture" following the recent fighting.

He insisted Iran had honoured the agreement while accusing Washington of repeatedly violating its terms.

"Tehran has never been the party to violate the truce," Baghaei said, alleging the United States had breached provisions relating to maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

He also claimed the U.S. had pressured Oman not to cooperate with Iran over the management of the strategic waterway during Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's visit to Muscat at the weekend.

Warning over regional military bases

The spokesman renewed Iran's warning to neighbouring countries hosting U.S. military facilities, saying Tehran had repeatedly urged regional governments not to allow their territory to be used for attacks against Iran.

Baghaei warned that Iran's armed forces would respond to any future attacks launched from U.S. bases in neighbouring or regional states.

Criticism of Europe

Baghaei also criticised European governments, accusing them of aligning too closely with Washington rather than helping to ease tensions.

He said Europe had the opportunity to play a constructive role in resolving disputes over Iran's civilian nuclear programme and the recent conflict but had instead chosen to damage relations with Tehran.

Nuclear inspections rejected

The Foreign Ministry also dismissed reports that Iran had agreed to grant the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) access to nuclear facilities damaged during the Israeli and U.S. strikes.

Baghaei rejected comments attributed to the IAEA's director general, saying Iran had made no such commitment.

He added that while Tehran would continue to meet its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), it had no plans to cooperate with inspections of nuclear sites damaged during the recent attacks.

Read more: 

• Britain moves to outlaw Iran-linked groups under new state-threat powers
• Pakistan urges restraint after renewed U.S.-Iran escalation
• Iran expands attacks on Gulf states after U.S. strikes, says Strait of Hormuz is closed

Tags

News Iran Trump USA Israel