The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Dublin Provides an Update on the Twelfth Day of Acts of Aggression by the United States and the Israeli Regime against Iran The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Ireland hereby informs political parties, media outlets and the public of the following developments on the twelfth day of the joint military aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime against the Islamic Republic of Iran: Escalation of War Rhetoric and the Normalization of Violence Recent statements by certain U.S. officials - including threats of significantly larger attacks and remarks concerning the targeting of an Iranian training vessel - have raised serious concerns about the normalization of extreme violence in political discourse. Such positions stand in clear contradiction to the fundamental principles of international law, including the Charter of the United Nations and the Geneva Conventions. The bodies of 84 Iranian sailors who lost their lives in this attack are currently being transferred to the country, while 20 other sailors are still considered missing. In another message, the President of the United States has threatened to carry out an attack twenty times harder and has promised to destroy targets that he described as “easily destroyable”- statements that effectively amount to a threat of large-scale destruction against a member state of the United Nations and its infrastructure. Such rhetoric, which normalizes the destruction of an independent country, stands in clear contradiction with the Charter of the United Nations and the Geneva Conventions. Attacks against Civilians and Critical Infrastructure According to official reports from Iranian health and humanitarian institutions, repeated bombardments have resulted in the killing and injury of thousands of civilians, while a significant number of residential units and public facilities have also been damaged. Among the affected sites are medical centers, schools, emergency equipment, and other public service infrastructure. Furthermore, the attack on the residence of Iranian diplomats in Beirut, which resulted in the death of several diplomats, is regarded by Iran as a clear violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Environmental Consequences of the Attacks Strikes against energy facilities and oil storage depots around Tehran have caused widespread air pollution and serious environmental concerns. Experts in environmental epidemiology describe the situation as a form of contamination that has immediate impacts on the respiratory system - particularly the lungs - while its long-term consequences may manifest in increased risks of various cancers and numerous chronic diseases. In addition, a phenomenon described as “black rain” has been observed in Tehran - an occurrence that poses the risk of contamination and poisoning of the air, water resources, and even the entire food chain for millions of residents. Psychological Warfare and Admission of Strategic Failure According to reports and analyses published in certain Western and Israeli media outlets, officials in Tel Aviv and Washington have examined scenarios aimed at politically exploiting the consequences of the war. However, even within those analyses, such scenarios are described as uncertain and unlikely to materialize in the near term. A number of analysts have also acknowledged that the initially declared objectives of the war-including weakening Iran’s governance structure and provoking internal instability-have not been achieved. Twelve days after the beginning of this aggression, media reports indicate that, contrary to earlier claims, Iran continues to maintain social and political stability. Information Warfare and Media Narratives As the strategic deadlock in achieving the declared objectives of the war has become increasingly evident, some officials and media outlets have attempted to influence the media environment by intensifying information warfare and disseminating unsubstantiated claims. In this context, the White House claimed that Iran had been preparing an imminent attack against the United States and stated that Trump did not intend to allow such an action to take place. This claim has been described by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran as “a sheer and utter lie” and has been assessed as merely an attempt to justify a military operation that has been referred to as a “major mistake.” Pressure on Military Systems and Maritime Security Reports indicate that the missile defense systems of the United States and Israel have faced operational pressures in responding to Iranian countermeasures. Meanwhile, concerns have been raised regarding increasing risks to maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz-a development that may have broader implications for global energy security and international trade. Iran’s Military Response within the Framework of Legitimate Self-Defense The Islamic Republic of Iran has emphasized that its military actions are being conducted in a phased manner and are directed exclusively at military objectives in response to ongoing attacks. Iranian military authorities have stated that certain military facilities and installations involved in operations against Iran have been targeted. Warning against a War on Infrastructure Iranian officials have warned against the expansion of attacks targeting civilian infrastructure and have stated that if such a pattern evolves into a “systematic war against infrastructure,” Iran reserves the right to respond in kind. Global Economic and Energy Implications The destabilization of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure have so far led to a noticeable increase in global oil and fuel prices, directly affecting the global economy and particularly consumers in many countries. While the United States has for years attempted to target Iran’s oil exports through unilateral sanctions, the U.S. government has now been compelled, in order to contain part of this price surge, to temporarily ease certain restrictions imposed on other countries - an action that in practice constitutes a clear acknowledgment of the systemic impact of its policies and actions against Iran on the global energy market. In this context, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran has condemned the dissemination of “fake news” by certain American officials aimed at manipulating markets and stated that such artificial tactics will not shield them from the consequences of the “inflationary tsunami” that they themselves have imposed upon their own economies and people. At the same time, Iranian officials have once again emphasized that sustainable security in the Persian Gulf can only be achieved through comprehensive cooperation among the countries of the region and without the presence or interference of foreign military forces and bases. In this regard, the Islamic Republic of Iran has stressed that it holds no hostility toward the coastal states of the Persian Gulf that are not participating in the U.S.–Israeli aggression. Public Resilience and Civic Mobilization Despite the ongoing bombardments, public gatherings and demonstrations have taken place in various Iranian cities condemning the foreign aggression. Images broadcast by international media show large crowds expressing solidarity with the victims and support for the country’s sovereignty and defense. Diplomatic Efforts and Calls for De-escalation On the diplomatic front, several regional and international capitals have intensified contacts aimed at reducing tensions and establishing a political process to end the conflict. Many world leaders have emphasized the urgent need to prevent further escalation and to pursue a diplomatic solution. The Position of the Islamic Republic of Iran The Islamic Republic of Iran reiterates that it did not initiate this conflict and that its actions are undertaken in accordance with its inherent right to self-defense under Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations. Iran warns that continued attacks against civilians, critical infrastructure, and the environment will only deepen the crisis and expand its regional and global consequences. The Iranian nation, united alongside its legitimate and lawful institutions and supported by broad-based public mobilization, will continue to resist the imposed military, economic, and informational war.  Ends