The phrase $"$if an armed attack occurs" means that the government of State A can claim to be acting in self$-$defense when

The phrase $"$if an armed attack occurs" means that the government of State A can claim to be acting in self$-$defense when

It launches air attacks on a neighboring state after that neighbor launched missile attacks on its main railroad freight yards

It responds to armed groups crossing its border, attacking a village, and then returning to a neighboring state by sending army patrols across the border to find and kill the attackers.

It tries to shoot down a reconnaissance satellite belonging to another state

It launches air attacks on a neighboring state's capital city after that neighbor signs an alliance treaty with State A$\text{'}$s greatest rival