Iran says it needs no permission from any power to defend itself

Iranian government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said in a published note that Iran will not wait for the permission of any power to defend itself, according to Mehr News. The note was titled "Iran will not be destroyed by threats."

In the text, Mohajerani addressed statements by what she described as Iran's enemies about the nation's fate, saying that American authorities and Israeli officials should understand that Iran's destiny is not written according to their wishes or will. She said the nation will not surrender its independence or its right to determine its own future to those who issue threats, adding that repeating threats does not change this reality.

The spokeswoman said Iran knows the suffering caused by war and understands that behind every act of destruction lives are disrupted and families are left grieving. She said that for this reason Iran speaks of peace with a sense of responsibility and strives to prevent war, but that this should not be mistaken for hesitation in defending the country. She described safeguarding the lives of the people, territorial integrity and independence as a duty in which Iran will never falter.

Mohajerani said Iran's Armed Forces are tasked with protecting the country and that aggressors must realize a decision to commit aggression will not be without cost or consequence. She added that any assessment of Iran that fails to take into account the nation's defensive capabilities and the will of its people is fundamentally flawed.

According to Mehr News, the note was published amid ongoing tensions involving the United States and Israel, and it reiterated the government's position that Iran will defend itself without seeking permission from any external power.