Iran's Foreign Ministry issued a formal statement on February 28 stating that the country's armed forces would defend Iran with full force against what it called a criminal act of aggression by the United States and Israel, calling on the UN Security Council to take immediate action, IRNA reported.

The statement came as Israeli and US forces continued strikes across Iran on February 28, hitting targets in Tehran, Isfahan and Qom in a joint operation that President Donald Trump said was aimed at eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime and ensuring Tehran never obtains a nuclear weapon.

Explosions were first reported near Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's compound in downtown Tehran at around 9:45am local time, with Iran's airspace subsequently closed, internet connectivity collapsing to 4% of normal levels and the Tehran Stock Exchange suspended.

"The armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, inspired by the great epic heritage of this land and relying on national strength, will not hesitate for a moment in the wholehearted defence of our dear homeland," the ministry said.

"History bears witness that Iranians have never submitted to foreign aggression. This time too, the response of the Iranian nation will be decisive and determining, and will make the aggressors regret their criminal act."

The ministry said the strikes had taken place on the tenth day of Ramadan and on the eve of Nowruz, the Persian new year, describing the timing as a flagrant violation of Iranian territorial integrity and national sovereignty.

It said targets had included defence infrastructure and civilian sites across multiple cities.

Iran's Foreign Ministry said the attacks constituted a clear violation of Article 2, Paragraph 4 of the UN Charter and amounted to armed aggression against the Islamic Republic, adding that Iran's right to respond was fully enshrined in Article 51 of the charter, which covers the right to self-defence.

The statement said Iran had entered the latest round of nuclear negotiations in Geneva despite certainty about US and Israeli intentions, in order to demonstrate to the international community that it had exhausted every diplomatic avenue before conflict was imposed upon it.

"The people of Iran are proud that they did everything necessary to prevent war. Now is the time to defend the homeland," the ministry said.

Iran called on the UN Secretary-General, the President of the Security Council and all council members to fulfil their obligations without delay. It also called on all UN member states, particularly regional and Muslim-majority countries, members of the Non-Aligned

Movement and all states that consider themselves responsible for international peace and security, to condemn the strikes and take collective action.

"We were as ready to negotiate as we are, more than ever, ready to defend," the statement said.

This story is developing. Details remain unverified and subject to change.