“The Islamic Republic of Iran will continue to defend its territory, sovereignty, security, and people by all necessary means.

My country has been attacked — it was an act of aggression — and we must respond in accordance with the right to self-defense. And we will.

There is no red line the United States and Israel haven’t crossed. The last and most dangerous line was crossed last night.

•By targeting nuclear facilities, they have violated a broad and dangerous red line.

I will meet President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday for serious consultations.

“Russia, along with China, has recently been trying to prepare a UN Security Council resolution to reach a ceasefire. The situation has now evolved, and I will discuss with them the path forward.

“Calling on Iran to return to diplomacy is inappropriate — we were already engaged in negotiations with the United States when Israel sabotaged the talks.

It wasn’t Iran that betrayed diplomacy — it was the United States. They betrayed the negotiations.

The US has shown it understands only the language of threats and force.

I believe new efforts can now begin to prevent the US from escalating this conflict further.

Last night’s attack is a serious crime — not only against the Iranian nation but also against the UN Charter, all international laws and regulations, and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

With this act, the United States has delivered a devastating blow to global peace and security.”

Al Akhbar