The missile strike that Iran launched against the American Al-Udeid airbase in Qatar on Monday was an act of self-defense in compliance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, Tasnim reports.

In a telephone conversation on Tuesday, Araghchi and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi talked about the latest regional developments following the US and Israeli attacks on Iran.

Araghchi appreciated China for its responsible stances in strong condemnation of the recent Israeli aggression and the US attacks against Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities.

He emphasized that the targeted operations by the Iranian Armed Forces against military and intelligence centers of the Zionist regime—i.e. Israel were “a legitimate act of self-defense in response to the regime’s aggression against Iran.”

Araghchi also referred to the missile strikes against the American Al-Udeid airbase in Qatar, saying it was carried out to exercise Iran’s inherent right to self-defense under Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations and in direct retaliation for the US’ military aggression against Iran’s territorial integrity and its dangerous attack on Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities.

For his part, the Chinese foreign minister reaffirmed Beijing’s principled position in condemning the violation of Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity by Israel and the United States.

He described the US strike on the peaceful nuclear facilities of Iran—a party to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)—as a dangerous action in clear violation of all international norms and regulations.

Wang Yi reiterated China’s support for Iran’s right to defend itself and noted that Beijing has already expressed its position in condemnation of the aggression against Iran in three sessions of the United Nations Security Council.

Also, the two foreign ministers reviewed the implementation of the strategic comprehensive partnership agreement between Iran and China and reiterated the commitment of both governments to advancing the scheduled plans, including the exchange of high-level delegations.