Iranian Foreign Minister: Trump Turned 'America First' into 'Israel First'

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has formally accused the United States and Israel of committing armed aggression against the country, invoking the United Nations Charter and vowing a decisive military response as regional tensions escalate.

In a statement addressed to the Iranian public, the ministry said that on the eve of Nowruz and the tenth day of Ramadan, the United States and what it called the “Zionist regime” struck “a series of targets, defense infrastructures, and civilian sites in various cities.”

It described the operation as a “gross violation” of Iran’s sovereignty and cited Article 2(4) of the UN Charter.

Tehran declared that responding is its “legal and legitimate right” under Article 51, which governs self-defense.

“The armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will use all their might and resources,” the statement said, adding that Iran had entered negotiations despite anticipating possible military action. “Now is the time to defend the homeland,” it said.

The ministry called on the UN Security Council, its president, and the secretary-general to take immediate action.

It also urged member states, including regional and Islamic countries and members of the Non-Aligned Movement, to condemn the strikes.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had struck “all Israeli and US military targets in the Middle East” with missile attacks. Iranian state media released footage showing “Powerful IRGC missiles launched toward enemy bases.”

IRGC General Ebrahim Jabbari warned that “today we fired the missiles from the back of our stockpile,” adding that new weapons would soon be unveiled.

A separate report claimed an Iranian Shahed drone hit a U.S. naval base in Bahrain, appearing to strike a radar installation.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi posted on X, which was also reposted by the Ministry’s verified account, called the war “wholly unprovoked, illegal, and illegitimate,” and said Iran’s forces would “teach the aggressors the lesson they deserve.”

He also added that U.S. President Donald Trump has “turned 'America First' into 'Israel First' - which always means America Last”

Aragchi also alleged that a primary school for girls in southern Iran was bombed “in broad daylight,” claiming “Dozens of innocent children have been murdered at this site alone.”

He said such acts “will not go unanswered.”

Meanwhile, Iran’s agriculture minister announced uninterrupted food supplies during Ramadan and ahead of the Persian New Year on March 20, according to Tasnim news agency. Authorities said contingency planning had prevented shortages despite ongoing attacks.

The Foreign Ministry framed the confrontation as a historic test, stating that Iranians “have never surrendered to foreign aggression” and that this response would be “decisive and determining.”

Tehran emphasized that the strikes occurred while it was “in the midst of a diplomatic process” with Washington. It said negotiations had been entered to demonstrate “the rightfulness of the Iranian nation,” even as it remained skeptical of U.S. and Israeli intentions.