World

Iran Says It Is Acting in Self-Defense as U.S.-Israeli Military Strikes Continue

Iran says it is currently operating in a “defensive mode” as military strikes by the United States and Israel continue against targets inside the country, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi.

Speaking during an interview with MSNBC’s Ana Cabrera, Takht-Ravanchi said Iran views the conflict as a war that has been imposed on the country and insists Tehran has the right to defend itself.

“Our message to everyone listening is simple: we are defending ourselves,” Takht-Ravanchi said. “A war has been imposed on us, and under international law we have every right to protect our people and our sovereignty.”

The senior diplomat added that Iran did not initiate the conflict and described the ongoing hostilities as the result of decisions made by Washington and the Israeli government.

“This war was not our choice,” he said. “It is the war of choice for the U.S. government and the Israeli regime.”

According to Takht-Ravanchi, Iranian authorities are currently focused on protecting national security and responding to what they view as external aggression.

“We are concentrating on defending ourselves and preserving our rights,” he said, emphasizing that Iran will take any necessary steps to safeguard its citizens and territory.

He also noted that there has been no direct communication between Tehran and Washington since the latest wave of military strikes began.

Dispute over nuclear allegations

During the interview, Takht-Ravanchi rejected accusations made by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who reportedly claimed Iranian negotiators had boasted about circumventing international oversight and reaching the capability to develop nuclear weapons.

The Iranian official dismissed those claims as a misunderstanding of Iran’s position.

“We were not bragging,” Takht-Ravanchi said. “We were simply describing our scientific and technological achievements. Unfortunately, those comments have been misrepresented.”

Iran has long maintained that its nuclear program is intended for peaceful purposes, though Western governments continue to express concerns about its potential military dimensions.

Rising regional tensions

The comments come as tensions across the Middle East intensify following the escalation of military operations involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

Iranian military forces, including naval and aerospace units linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), have reportedly launched missile strikes against U.S. military facilities in parts of the region as well as targets connected to Israel.

The growing conflict has triggered security concerns across the Middle East. In response to the deteriorating situation, the United States has taken precautionary steps including closing several diplomatic facilities and urging American citizens to leave certain areas.

As the confrontation continues, analysts warn that the risk of a wider regional conflict remains high if diplomatic efforts fail to ease the tensions between the parties involved.