The ministry issued the statement late on Sunday hours after the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) launched missile and drone strikes on military targets in northern Israel in response to the regime’s attack on the southern districts of Lebanon’s capital Beirut earlier that day.

According to the statement, the Iranian strikes were also in response to repeated violations of the April 8 ceasefire and Israel’s cooperation with the United States in attacks over the past two weeks on Iranian ships and targets in southern Iran, as well as in Washington’s naval blockade against the Iranian nation.

The strikes were carried out “within the framework of [Iran’s] inherent right to self-defense under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter,” the statement said.

 “The Islamic Republic of Iran, while emphasizing the Iranian nation’s firm determination to decisively defend its security and national interests wherever it deems necessary, recalls that the ceasefire in Lebanon was an integral part of the April 8 ceasefire understanding,” the ministry said, holding the US directly responsible for the truce violations and the resulting consequences, as well as any escalation of tensions in the region.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran warns that any malicious adventurism by the Zionist regime against Lebanon or the Islamic Republic of Iran will be met with a crushing and comprehensive response by Iran’s brave Armed Forces,” it emphasized.