Iran accuses US of backing Israeli strikes during 12-day conflict

TEHRAN -- Iran's top military commander on Tuesday accused the United States of backing Israeli "aggression" during the recent 12-day military confrontation with Iran, vowing that Iran stood firm in the face of what he described as US-Israeli "bullying".

Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Abdolrahim Mousavi made the remarks during a phone call with Khalid bin Mohammad Al Attiyah, former deputy prime minister and defense minister of Qatar, according to Iran's state-run IRIB news agency.

During the 12 days of fighting, the United States spared no effort to help Israel and provided it with full intelligence and logistical support in its operations, Mousavi said, adding that the world saw that the United States and Israel showed no regard for international norms and principles

Meanwhile, Mousavi praised Qatar's "valuable" positions in condemning the US-Israeli "aggression" against Iran's territory.

For his part, the Qatari official said that Qatar has, from the very beginning, condemned Israel's "aggression" against Iran and made clear it would not allow its airspace and territory to be used for attacking Iran.

Qatar always wants to resolve the existing issues through interaction and diplomacy, he said.

Israel launched a series of major airstrikes on June 13 targeting nuclear and military sites across Iran, killing senior commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians, and injuring many others, according to Iranian authorities.

Iran retaliated with multiple waves of missile and drone attacks on Israeli territory, causing casualties and damage.

A ceasefire between the two countries was reached on June 24, ending 12 days of fighting.

Earlier on Tuesday, Iran said its death toll from Israeli attacks during the fighting approached 1,100, with 5,750 others injured.