Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. (File)

Tehran, October 2 (RHC)-- Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the country exercised “self-defense” under Article 21 of the United Nations Charter by targeting military sites in the occupied territories on Tuesday.

In a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, the top Iranian diplomat said the Iranian armed forces “solely targeted” the Israeli regime’s military sires responsible for genocide in Gaza and Lebanon.

Iranian military launched hundreds of long-range ballistic missiles on Tuesday evening at the occupied Palestinian territories with at least 90 percent of them hitting the intended targets.

The operation came in response to the assassination of top resistance leaders, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Ismail Haniyeh and Abbas Nilforoushan by the Zionist regime.  “We did so (the missile strikes) after exercising tremendous restraint for almost two months, to give space for a ceasefire in Gaza,” Araghchi stated.

He said the Iranian response has concluded unless the regime “decides to invite further retaliation.”  “In that scenario, our response will be stronger and more powerful. Israel's enablers now have a heightened responsibility to rein in the warmongers in Tel Aviv instead of getting involved in their folly.”

Earlier, Iran’s foreign ministry hailed the “responsible” retaliation to the Israeli regime’s aggression against the Islamic Republic and other regional countries, including Lebanon.

The retaliation that came “following a prolonged period of restraint, demonstrates Iran's responsible approach to regional and international peace and security,” the statement noted.

President Masoud Pezeshkian in a statement said a “decisive response” was given to the Zionist regime’s aggression” in line with the country’s “legitimate rights of self-defense.”

“This operation was carried out in defense of Iran’s interests and citizens. Let (Israeli Prime Minister) Netanyahu know that Iran is not belligerent, but it stands firm against any threat. This is only a fraction of our power. Do not engage in conflict with Iran,” he stated.

In a statement, Islamic Revolution Guard Corps said 90 percent of missiles hit the targets, including three military sites near Tel Aviv. There were no reports of killings or injuries to settlers.

Footage shared online showed panic-stricken Israeli settlers hiding in underground shelters as missiles pained and sirens blared across the occupied Palestinian territories.