Iran considers its military actions, including strikes against US bases in the Middle East, to be “completely legal” under its right to self-defence, foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran is in a position of legitimate self-defence and defence of national interests because of the continuation of the naval blockade and full-scale economic war,” Baghaei told reporters.

He said Iran’s actions were legal “within the framework of the inherent right of self-defence based on Article 51 of the United Nations Charter”, adding that US attacks on civilians and the killing of children “completely invalidate” Washington’s claims.