During a press briefing for UN-accredited journalists in New York, Ambassador Amir-Sayyed Irawani, the Permanent Representative of Iran, denounced what he described as an “ongoing terrorist and criminal assault by the Israeli regime.”
He asserted that these attacks represent a “blatant act of aggression against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iran,” accusing Israel of conducting a coordinated campaign of unlawful violence against civilians and crucial infrastructure.
“Israel’s continuous acts are a direct violation of Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The relentless campaign of atrocities against our population persists unabated,” he emphasized.
The ambassador pointed out that such actions are a “serious infringement of the UN Charter and the fundamental tenets of international law.” He highlighted that these assaults “cross all red lines,” especially because Israel “deliberately targeted a peaceful nuclear facility under the full supervision of the IAEA.”
He characterized the attack on the nuclear site as a “dangerous and unlawful act,” cautioning about its potential repercussions.
“It poses a significant risk of radioactive material release. If Iran hadn’t swiftly contained the situation, the outcomes could have been catastrophic,” he warned.
Rejecting Israel’s portrayal of the strikes as “surgical,” Irawani stated, “The Israeli narrative of surgical strikes is misleading and untrue.”
He insisted that “Israel has embarked on a campaign of unlawful and indiscriminate attacks against civilian infrastructure in Iran,” noting, “Civilians have lost their lives.”
According to the statistics he provided, 1,480 Iranians have either been killed or injured, including at least 224 civilians, among them women and children. He pointed out that “in one attack, around 20 children were killed in an apartment building in Tehran,” a number that he said “may rise due to the severity of the injuries.”
The ambassador reported substantial damage to political and economic infrastructure.
“Water tanks, fuel depots, petrochemical facilities—including the Asaduyeh refinery in Bushehr province—have all been hit. Hospitals were also targeted. These are not accidents; they are war crimes,” he asserted.
He specifically noted the assault on the offices of the state news agency during a live broadcast.
“The Israeli regime intentionally attacked the offices of Iran’s national news agency. This horrific act is a clear war crime and an affront to press freedom,” he maintained.
He labeled Israel as “the principal adversary of truth,” remarking that it “holds the notorious title of the world’s most significant violator of rights against journalists and media personnel.”
On Iran’s response, he stated, “In retaliation for this brutal aggression, Iran has exercised its inherent right to self-defense as outlined in Article 51 of the Charter. Our response was defensive, precise, and proportionate.”
He emphasized that Iran is not looking for war or escalation but is committed to defending “its people, territory, and sovereignty,” adding that “unlike the Israeli regime, Iran respects international humanitarian law and has not targeted civilians.”
Irawani explicitly accused the United States of complicity.
“American forces have enabled Israeli aggression. Without U.S. weapons, intelligence, and political backing, this attack wouldn’t have been possible. The U.S. will share the responsibility for this unlawful act.”
Moreover, he asserted that the Israeli assault aimed to undermine ongoing nuclear negotiations set to resume in Moscow.
“Iran approached the negotiation table sincerely with a new proposal aimed at bridging gaps. However, the U.S. responded in bad faith. This hypocrisy damages trust and diplomacy. Israel is attempting to sabotage diplomatic efforts through violence,” he explained.
He added that “disrupted negotiations lead to escalation while drawing attention away from ongoing atrocities, particularly the genocide in Gaza.”
He firmly stated that Iran has not instigated any conflict.
“Iran has not attacked Israel. Iran did not initiate any war. The narrative around an ‘existential threat’ is unfounded and lacks legal justification. It’s merely utilized to rationalize attacks and obscure Israeli war crimes.”
He also cautioned “other countries” that “Iran warns that any nation supporting Israeli aggression will bear legal responsibility for the consequences.”
He recalled that Iran called for an urgent Security Council meeting, stating, “Our message was straightforward. The Council must act decisively. It should condemn aggression and intervene to halt the aggressor. We need to uphold the Charter and international law.”
He denounced the inaction of the Security Council: “Its silence and indifference weaken its credibility and compromise the very foundations of the UN.”
He expressed gratitude to the supporters of Iran, such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Friends Group for the Defense of the UN Charter. He also mentioned that a new letter had been dispatched to the Secretary-General and the Security Council.
“We urge the Security Council to denounce this act of aggression, hold the aggressor and its backers accountable, and take immediate steps to avert further assaults. Inaction only emboldens the perpetrator and undermines the rule of law, jeopardizing the credibility of the Security Council.”
He highlighted that Israel remains the only state in the region possessing nuclear weapons and “refuses to adhere to the Non-Proliferation Treaty or place its facilities under IAEA supervision. It has attacked nearly all its neighbors and continues its atrocities in Gaza without facing consequences.”
“Iran will proceed to act within the bounds of international law. We will defend ourselves appropriately and within legal frameworks. However, it is the Council’s primary responsibility to uphold international peace and security. The Security Council must act now to prevent the genocidal aggressor from perpetrating further crimes against our people,” he asserted.
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