Tehran, Iran – In a sharp diplomatic and military escalation, the Iranian Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday, June 11, 2026, that the US airstrikes on targets inside Iranian territory earlier that day had effectively destroyed any de-escalation efforts. It declared the ceasefire reached in April “meaningless.”
“A flagrant violation of international law”
In an official statement responding to the continued US military operations, the Iranian Foreign Ministry asserted that these attacks were not merely acts of military aggression, but rather a “flagrant violation of the UN Charter” and the fundamental principles of international law guaranteeing the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.
The statement emphasized that the continued US bombing renders any previous ceasefire arrangements practically “meaningless,” thus placing the region before a new reality of open confrontation.
Warning to neighboring countries
In a significant shift in Tehran’s rhetoric, the ministry warned regional countries that have allowed the US military to use their territory or military facilities to carry out these strikes.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry clarified that providing such facilities places those countries on the side of the “aggressors.” They could therefore bear responsibility for the consequences of this participation, indicating a potential expansion of the scope of Iranian threats.
“The inherent right to self-defense”
The statement emphasized that Iran, based on its inherent right to self-defense under international law, has made a firm decision to neutralize the sources of fire and the origins of the attacks.
Tehran affirmed that its determination to respond is not limited to statements. It will extend to operations targeting the source and origin of the attacks launched by US forces and their partners in the region.
This Iranian stance deepens the uncertainty surrounding the future of the military confrontation, raising fears that the limited exchange of airstrikes could escalate into a wider regional conflict. This concern is heightened by Tehran’s de facto withdrawal from the fragile ceasefire agreements.
While Washington insists its strikes are aimed at undermining Iran’s defensive capabilities, Tehran views these operations as an existential threat to its sovereignty. This increases the likelihood of retaliatory escalatory measures in the coming hours, amid international anticipation of Iran’s expected response on the ground.
