Iran says US strikes rendered April ceasefire 'meaningless'

Iran's Foreign Ministry said Thursday that large-scale US military attacks overnight have rendered the April 8 ceasefire agreement meaningless, condemning the strikes as a blatant violation of the UN Charter and warning that Washington would bear responsibility for the consequences. The ministry issued a strongly worded statement describing the aggression as criminal acts against Iranian territory that breach fundamental principles of international law regarding state sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Violations of international law

"The illegal and criminal attacks carried out by the United States in recent hours have not only constituted a flagrant violation of the UN Charter and the fundamental rules of international law regarding respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, but have also effectively rendered the April 8, 2026 ceasefire meaningless," the ministry said. It noted that Washington's actions systematically undermine diplomatic efforts while encouraging further violations of international norms through military force.

Regional complicity and self-defense

The ministry criticized the continued use of regional territory and military facilities by US forces to prepare and conduct attacks against Iran, stating that such cooperation places those governments "alongside the aggressors." It reiterated that neighboring countries bear both legal and moral responsibility to prevent their soil from being used for military operations against Iranian targets. Tehran remains determined to neutralize the sources of aggression and would exercise its "inherent right to self-defense" against US military actions and allied forces, according to the statement.

Call for UN action

The Foreign Ministry called on all UN member states to explicitly oppose violations of the UN Charter by the United States and Israel, warning that silence and inaction would contribute to greater instability and insecurity across the Middle East. It urged the UN Security Council to fulfill its mandate in maintaining international peace and security, requesting that Secretary-General António Guterres clearly state the facts regarding ongoing developments rather than issuing ambiguous statements that might encourage further violations.