TEHRAN -- Iran’s General Staff of Armed Forces issued a statement on Monday condemning brutal U.S.-Israeli aggression and vowing to avenge the martyrdom of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution and several top military commanders.

The statement affirmed Iran’s inherent right to legitimate defense and to pursue all available avenues in response to what it called crimes against the Iranian nation. It emphasized that the blood of the martyrs spilled in U.S.-Israeli attacks “will never go unanswered.”

The realization of justice and the avenging of the martyrs, the statement said, is the undeniable right of the Iranian nation and will be pursued resolutely within the framework of international law and deterrence calculations.

The General Staff also condoled the loss of Abdolrahim Mousavi, chairman of the Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, describing him as a dedicated and loyal commander who devoted his life to strengthening national security, enhancing deterrence, and advancing the strategic

 capabilities of the armed forces.
According to the statement, the joint aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime once again revealed the true face of Iran’s enemies and the depth of hostility toward Iran’s independence, dignity, and the ideals of the Islamic Revolution.
It added that while the imposed and unprovoked war represents another chapter in the history of oppression against Iran, it will not cause fear or weakness. Instead, the statement said, the attacks will strengthen national will, strategic cohesion, and defensive readiness across the country.