Iran Rejects US Self-Defense Claim as 'Act of Aggression'

• Iran dismisses US justification for military involvement as 'absolutely not self-defense,' calling it aggression.
• Tehran denies pursuing nuclear weapons, citing IAEA inspections that found no evidence of a weapons program.
• The dispute escalates diplomatic tensions, with potential implications for regional stability and oil markets.

Iran Rejects US Self-Defense Claim as 'Act of Aggression'

Iran has sharply dismissed the U.S. justification for its involvement in the conflict, calling it an act of aggression rather than self-defense. A U.S. State Department statement had argued that the action supports Israel and counters threats from Iran's missile program and potential nuclear ambitions. In response, Tehran accused Washington of misleading the world, asserting that no attack was made to justify self-defense.

“Iran has not attacked anyone, and claims of self-defense are a pretext for aggression,” a senior Iranian official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The official further emphasized that Iran's nuclear program remains peaceful, noting that international inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have consistently found no evidence of a weapons program.

The exchange comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, where the U.S. has increased military presence in support of Israel. Iran's foreign ministry has called for an emergency UN Security Council meeting to address what it terms U.S. aggression, though no date has been set.

Analysts warn that the standoff could disrupt oil supplies, with Brent crude prices rising 2% on the news. “The risk of a broader conflict is real, and markets are pricing in a premium,” said a Middle East strategist at a London-based consultancy.

Efforts to reach the U.S. State Department for comment on Iran's rejection were not immediately successful. The situation remains fluid, with both sides trading accusations and no clear path to de-escalation.