Tehran: Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei has emphasized that the US attack on Iran was an act of aggression against the nation. According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Baqaei, in a post on his X account on Friday, responded to a report by the US Department of State that described the US's actions as a war with Iran in 'self-defense.' He questioned the justification of 'self-defense,' asking, "Self-defense against what? Was there any 'armed attack' by Iran to justify 'self-defense'? Definitely not!" He asserted that the actions were not self-defense but an act of aggression against Iran. On February 28, the United States and the Israeli regime initiated an unprovoked war against Iran, during which the then Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, along with several senior military officials, was martyred. The Iranian Armed Forces responded with missile and drone strikes targeting American and Israeli military positions in the occupied territories and the Persian Gulf r egion, conducting 100 waves of counterattacks over 40 days. Iran's response included closing the strategic Strait of Hormuz to vessels belonging to enemies and their allies. Following this, Iran imposed further restrictions, requiring vessels to secure permission from Iranian authorities to pass. This move came after the US announced the continuation of an illegal blockade on Iranian vessels and ports.