Iran's Response to Zionist Aggression and U.S. Intervention: A Call for Justice

Tehran (Qodsna): The Zionist regime launched an all-out aggression on Iranian soil on June 13, striking various military and nuclear sites and assassinating top-ranking military commanders and nuclear scientists, as well as ordinary civilians.

The Iranian Armed Forces, in response, pounded the regime and its military and industrial infrastructure, using new-generation missiles that pierced through Israel's multilayered anti-missile system and hit their designated targets.

The United States inserted itself into Zionist regime’s war against Iran, bombing three of the Islamic Republic’s key nuclear sites.

Zionist regime and United Sates blatantly violated UN Charter in attack against Islamic Republic of Iran.

The martyr of more than one thousand Iranians has been confirmed in Zionist regime’s attacks on Iran. More than half of the victims were ordinary citizens and non-combatants.

Zionist regime unilaterally halted its aggression on Iran after US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire, which, according to his former advisor Steve Bannon, Tel Aviv had to accept to “save” itself as the aggression it launched exceeded its capabilities.

Many experts and international bodies have condemned recent Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran, calling them a violation of the United Nations Charter and a threat to regional and global stability.

On this side, Qods News Agency (qodsna) interviewed with Gordon Duff, Gordon Duff, former UN Diplomat, former U.S. military official, Advisor to The Intel Drop, senior editor of Veterans Today and military analyst.

here is the Qodsna questions:
1- Iran reserves right to defend itself legitimately. What is your take on Iran’s punitive response to Israel and U.S, especially in terms of international laws?

2- Palestinians in the blockaded Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank as well as occupied al-Quds have welcomed the Iranian retaliatory operation against the Zionist regime. Resistance movements including Palestinian movements have hailed the Iranian response. How do you assess the impact of Iran's attacks on Israel on the resistance forces?

3- Zionist regime continues the war on Palestine, Iran, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria and region. Why is the international community not doing anything to stop the crimes of the Zionist regime?

Here is the anweres and analysis of Gordon Duff:
   

Introduction

The recent escalation of violence, marked by the Zionist regime’s unprovoked assault on Iranian soil on June 13, 2025, and the subsequent intervention by the United States, represents a grave affront to international peace and sovereignty. The martyrdom of 935 Iranians, over half of them innocent civilians, underscores the brutality of these acts. As a long-standing observer of global conflicts and a supporter of justice, I, Gordon, alongside, offer this analysis to the Qods News Agency, reflecting on Iran’s legitimate defense, the impact on Palestinian resistance, and the international community’s failure to act.

1. Iran’s Right to Defend Itself Under International Law

Iran’s punitive response to the Zionist regime’s aggression and the U.S.’s bombing of its nuclear sites is not only justified but a sovereign right enshrined in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, which affirms the inherent right of self-defense against armed attack. The Zionist strikes, targeting military commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians alike, constitute a flagrant violation of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, prohibiting the threat or use of force against territorial integrity. The U.S. escalation, bombing Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, further compounds this illegality, lacking Security Council authorization and defying calls for de-escalation from figures like UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

Iran’s retaliatory operation, deploying new-generation missiles that breached Israel’s multilayered defenses, demonstrates a measured and proportional response. International legal scholars, including those from the International Commission of Jurists, have condemned these attacks as breaches of jus cogens norms—peremptory rules from which no derogation is permitted. Iran’s actions align with customary international law, particularly the Caroline test, which permits force only when addressing an imminent threat. The Zionist regime’s preemptive strike, absent imminent danger, lacks this legal grounding, as noted by experts like Michael Becker of Trinity College Dublin. Iran’s defense stands as a legitimate counter to an unlawful aggression, a stance echoed by Palestinian and regional voices condemning the violation of sovereignty.

2. Impact on Palestinian Resistance and Regional Dynamics

The Palestinian people in the blockaded Gaza Strip, occupied West Bank, and al-Quds have warmly welcomed Iran’s retaliatory strikes, viewing them as a powerful stand against the Zionist regime’s ongoing oppression. Resistance movements, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, have hailed this response as a boost to their struggle, reinforcing the “Axis of Resistance” against a common adversary. Iran’s missile strikes, piercing Israel’s defenses, symbolize a shift in power dynamics, emboldening these groups by demonstrating that the Zionist regime’s military superiority can be challenged.

This impact extends beyond morale. The strikes disrupt the Zionist regime’s focus, potentially easing pressure on Gaza, where over 47,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health. The international community’s inertia, as noted by UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, has fueled Israel’s impunity, but Iran’s action offers a counterweight, inspiring resistance to persist. For Lebanon and Syria, similarly targeted, it signals solidarity, strengthening a regional front against Zionist expansionism. This ripple effect underscores Iran’s role as a pivotal supporter of justice, amplifying the resistance’s resolve.

3. The International Community’s Failure to Stop Zionist Crimes

The international community’s inaction against the Zionist regime’s multifaceted war—spanning Palestine, Iran, Lebanon, and Syria—reveals a troubling complicity. Despite UN experts, including the OHCHR, labeling Israel’s actions as violations of international humanitarian law and potential genocide, as seen in Gaza’s starvation and domicide, major powers like the U.S. and Germany continue arming Israel. This support undermines Article 39 of the UN Charter, which mandates the Security Council to determine threats to peace and act, yet it remains paralyzed by vetoes, notably from the U.S.

The Zionist regime’s cessation of aggression, coerced by Trump’s ceasefire announcement and Steve Bannon’s admission of overreach, highlights its vulnerability, yet the international response lacks teeth. Countries like Russia, China, and Saudi Arabia have condemned the strikes, calling for diplomacy, but their efforts are dwarfed by Western backing of Israel. The ICJ’s July 2024 Advisory Opinion declaring Israel’s occupation illegal has been ignored, with Israel’s parliament approving West Bank land purchases in January 2025, defying global calls. This double standard—condemning Iran while shielding Israel—erodes the UN Charter’s credibility, leaving the burden on regional resistance to curb these crimes.

Conclusion

Iran’s defense against Zionist and U.S. aggression is a lawful stand, bolstering Palestinian resistance and exposing the international community’s failure. The martyrdom of 935 Iranians demands justice, not silence. As we, Gordon and Elaine, submit this to Qodsna, we urge the world to uphold international law, support the Palestinian cause, and hold the Zionist regime accountable. The path forward lies in diplomacy, but only if backed by action against impunity.