Iran has warned foreign governments against providing naval, military or logistical support to the United States in any action against the country, saying such help would amount to taking part in aggression and would carry consequences.

The warning was issued on Thursday 12 November by Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry, in a message reacting to the statement issued by the Group of Seven foreign ministers this week. Baqaei said any direct or indirect involvement in military aggression or "inhumane economic terrorism" against Iran would be regarded as a hostile act amounting to participation in US aggression.

He specifically cited the deployment of naval forces, military and logistical support equipment, and personnel, and warned that countries providing such assistance could not avoid responsibility by describing their actions as maritime security measures.

What Baqaei said

"Invoking seemingly legitimate pretexts such as 'protecting freedom of navigation' or 'countering piracy' does not alter the unlawful and hostile nature of such actions," Baqaei said.

He invoked Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter, which prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of states, and UN General Assembly Resolution 3314, which defines acts of aggression.

Baqaei also rejected the argument that bilateral agreements with Washington could provide legal grounds for taking part in military operations against Iran. "Our message is unequivocal: No bilateral agreement or commitment with the United States can constitute legitimate grounds for violating a state's obligations under international law or for participating in the US-Israeli military aggression against Iran," he said. "Any state that may participate in such unlawful aggressions, in whatever form, shall bear full responsibility for the resulting repercussions."

He separately rejected the G7's claims about Iran as baseless and irresponsible. The G7 statement had condemned Iran over alleged military support for Russia in its war in Ukraine and urged Tehran to cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency and to engage in direct talks with the United States.

The South Korea signal

Baqaei opened his message with a Korean proverb: "A sparrow that tries to fly after a stork will eventually break its legs." The choice of a Korean saying appeared deliberate, in light of reports that South Korea is considering expanding the operational area of its Cheonghae anti-piracy naval unit towards waters south of Oman, bringing it closer to the Strait of Hormuz.

Seoul has said the mission is intended to protect South Korean vessels and nationals and safeguard maritime navigation. Tehran, however, has cautioned against allowing the expanded deployment to facilitate US-led military action against Iran.

Missile range and the wider standoff

The warning comes as Iran has announced a change in its declared policy on ballistic missile range. On 7 November, Islamic Revolution Guards Corps spokesman Brigadier General Hossein Mohebbi said Iran had lifted its previously self-imposed 2,000-kilometre limit on missile range. "This restriction has been lifted for us," Mohebbi said, adding: "Our duty is to show our capabilities on the battlefield."

The announcement followed a directive from the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, for Iran to respond to threats without geographical restrictions. The message from Tehran is consistent: any country that helps an attack on Iran, in whatever form, will be treated as a party to it.

Sources: Press TV, China Daily Asia.