Iran condemns US attacks on commercial vessels as war crimes

Iran has accused the United States of violating international law by attacking its commercial vessels and imposing a naval blockade against the country. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemns the aggressive US action of attacking Iranian commercial vessels,” the Foreign Ministry said. Tehran described the strikes as part of Washington’s wider military campaign and “economic war” against Iran. It said the attacks violated the UN Charter and endangered international peace, security and commercial shipping. The ministry pledged to “firmly defend its sovereignty and national interests” against US aggression, state-sponsored terrorism, the continuing blockade and the “harassment of commercial ships”. It added that Washington and its allies would bear responsibility for any consequences arising from continued US “aggressive and interventionist actions” in the region.