Following the June invasion, Iran is attempting to redefine its image both militarily and diplomatically. The precision missile strike that quickly thwarted the attack demonstrated Iran’s defense capabilities, while the recent “International Law Under Attack: Aggression and Defense” conference demonstrated the country’s efforts to assert its legal and diplomatic standing on the world stage. Taken together, these actions paint a picture of a nation determined to defend its sovereignty and rights through both force and rational engagement.
In June, Israel launched a surprise attack on Iranian territory days before the sixth round of nuclear negotiations in Muscat. The attack killed more than 1,000 people, including military commanders and civilians, and targeted a peaceful nuclear facility, which was soon followed by U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities. The Iranian government said this coordinated invasion violates multiple principles of international law. In response, Iranian forces carried out precise retaliatory operations, attacking strategic targets throughout the occupied territories and at Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest US military installation in West Asia. Iranian officials have stressed that the swift and effective response turned demands for “unconditional surrender” into calls for a ceasefire within days.
Since the June invasion, Iranian military officials have consistently stressed that they are ready to respond decisively to any potential attack. The two leaders highlighted lessons learned from the 12-day clash, stressing that Iran’s defense capabilities have significantly improved and ensure a much stronger deterrent than at the time of the June clashes. This increased readiness, they say, strengthens Iran’s ability to protect its sovereignty and respond effectively to threats.
However, Iran’s approach to defending itself is not only military. The country’s diplomatic institutions have been actively involved in various fields to assert its rights and protect its national interests. This dual strategy was on full display at the international conference International Law Under Attack: Offense and Defense held in Tehran on Sunday, where senior diplomats, legal experts, and international scholars discussed the June attacks, their challenges to global legal norms, and their far-reaching implications for regional and international security.
The conference, held at the Institute of Political and International Studies under the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attracted 350 participants from Iran and abroad, including diplomats, academics, legal experts, and representatives from think tanks from around the world. Four expert committees discussed the Israeli and US invasion of Iran, threats to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and regional security agreements.
Speaking at the conference, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that international law was under unprecedented attack and accused the United States and its allies of promoting an “international order based on force” at the expense of legal norms. “Today we face a truth that can no longer be ignored: international law is under attack. The world faces serious challenges, worrying trends and an unprecedented strategic shift,” he told the conference.
Araghchi criticized the so-called “rules-based international order,” arguing that it selectively serves the interests of Western countries and has been used as a tool for American hegemony. He also described Israel as a proxy for U.S. policy in West Asia and argued that Israeli attacks, including one on Iranian territory on June 13, just before the Sixth Nuclear Talks in Muscat, violate fundamental principles of international law, United Nations provisions, and the safeguards and non-proliferation regime.
Foreign Minister Araghchi also emphasized the strengthening of Iran’s defense capabilities since June. “If a similar war occurs again, we will be better prepared to respond. This preparation itself is the most powerful factor in preventing future conflicts,” he said. He further emphasized that Iran’s nuclear program remains resilient and fully compliant with its rights under Article IV of the NPT, with all technical obligations being fulfilled under the supervision of the IAEA.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh stressed that any potential talks with the United States would be “armed negotiations” and stressed Iran’s readiness to counter Iranian mistrust and possible deception. He said negotiations under coercion or military threat cannot be fair, and stressed that Iran’s approach is one of vigilance and responsiveness.
Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Director Mohammad Eslami, speaking on a panel during the conference, accused Israel of misusing classified IAEA information during a precision attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, targeting a laboratory developed in cooperation with the IAEA. He warned that such abuse undermines the IAEA’s credibility and effectiveness.
He asserted that Iran’s policy has been transparent from the beginning and that the country will continue its operations despite external pressure.
Iranian officials, including Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Ghalibabadi and senior adviser to the leader Kamal Khalaj, called on the United States to recognize that peace cannot be achieved by force. The two leaders reiterated Iran’s commitment to negotiating on the basis of equality, mutual respect and national interests, and rejecting coercion, economic pressure and unilateral threats.
Araghchi and other officials emphasized that Israel’s invasion, supported by the United States and some European allies, not only failed to achieve its objectives, but also strengthened Iran’s commitment to national unity, deterrence, and peace diplomacy. The conference concluded that Iran remains open to dialogue while continuing to strengthen its defense and nuclear capabilities to protect its sovereignty and rights under international law.
Through a combination of strengthened defense capabilities and active diplomacy, Iran seeks to send a clear message that it will resolutely protect its sovereignty and national interests from all threats, while adhering to dialogue and international law. The events of June and the discussions at the Tehran conference highlighted the nation’s determination to balance strategic engagement and resilience in both the battlefield and diplomatic arenas.
Reported by Mohadese Pakhravan