247 - Iran's strikes against Israel are in self-defense and are"proportionate defensive operations directed exclusively at military objectives and associated infrastructure," Iran's ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Amir Saeid Iravani, told the UN Security Council on Monday.

He wrote in a letter that any cooperation by third countries with Israel's attacks on Iran"makes them complicit in the legal responsibility and consequences of this crisis."

According to Article 51 of the UN Charter, the 15-member Security Council must be informed immediately of any action states take in self-defense against armed attacks.

On Friday morning (13), the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a broad military offensive, dubbed “Rising Lion”, claiming to target Iranian nuclear facilities and military infrastructure. The air offensive included a series of attacks in several regions of Iran, including the capital Tehran, resulting in the deaths of senior Iranian military officials, including the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces and the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), as well as scientists linked to the country’s nuclear program. Strategic locations such as the Natanz and Fordow nuclear plants were also hit.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called the attack criminal and vowed"bitter and terrible revenge" against Israel. In response, the Revolutionary Guards launched"Operation True Promise 3" on Friday night, striking military targets inside Israeli territory. (With agencies)