TEHRAN -- Iran has warned foreign governments against providing naval, military or logistical support to U.S. war on the country, saying any such involvement, including under the pretext of protecting freedom of navigation, would constitute participation in an unlawful act of aggression and make the countries concerned responsible for its consequences.
In a message on Thursday reacting to the statement issued at the recent G7 meeting, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said any direct or indirect involvement in military aggression or “inhumane economic terrorism” against Iran would be regarded as a hostile act amounting to participation in U.S. aggression.
He specifically cited the deployment of naval forces, military and logistical support equipment, and personnel, warning that countries providing such assistance could not avoid responsibility by describing their actions as maritime security measures.
“Invoking seemingly legitimate pretexts such as ‘protecting freedom of navigation’ or ‘countering piracy’ does not alter the unlawful and hostile nature of such actions,” Baqaei said.
The spokesman invoked Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter, which prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of states, as well as UN General Assembly Resolution 3314, which defines acts of aggression.
He also rejected the argument that bilateral agreements with Washington could provide legal grounds for participation in military operations against Iran.
“Our message is unequivocal: No bilateral agreement or commitment with the United States can constitute legitimate grounds for violating a state’s obligations under international law or for participating in the US-Israeli military aggression against Iran,” he said.
“Any state that may participate in such unlawful aggressions, in whatever form, shall bear full responsibility for the resulting repercussions,” he added.
Baqaei opened his message with a Korean proverb: “A sparrow that tries to fly after a stork will eventually break its legs.”
His choice of a Korean saying appears deliberate in light of reports that South Korea is considering expanding the operational area of its so-called Cheonghae anti-piracy naval unit towards waters south of Oman, bringing it closer to the Strait of Hormuz.
The warning comes as Iran has announced a change in its declared policy on ballistic missile range. On November 7, Islamic Revolution Guards Corps spokesman Brigadier General Hussein Mohebbi said Iran has lifted its previously self-imposed 2,000-kilometer limit on ballistic missile range.
The announcement followed Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei’s directive for Iran to respond to threats without geographical restrictions.