The UN Security Council is holding an emergency meeting to discuss Israel’s strikes on Iran.
Below is a transcript of a speech by the Iranian ambassador to the United Nations Amir Saeed Irabani before a meeting in New York.
Madame President,
We would like to express our sincere congratulations to Guyana this month, considering the Security Council’s presidency. Thank you for your coordination and for convening this urgent and important meeting.
USG, Ms. Thank you to Dicarlo and DG. Mr. Grossi about his contribution to this conference.
We also wish to express our gratitude to Algeria, Pakistan, China and the Russian Federation for their assistance in convening this emergency session to address Israel’s illegal aggression against the Islamic Republic, serious violations of international law and attacks on the UN Charter.
I bring the utmost urgency and serious vigilance today on behalf of the people and government of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Madame President,
Last night, the Israeli regime, the world’s most dangerous and terrorist regime, carried out a series of coordinated and planned military attacks in several Iranian cities, with full intelligence and political support from the US administration. These aggression and illegal strikes target peaceful nuclear facilities, military sites, critical civil infrastructure, and residential areas.
Among the main goals was the Natantz Nuclear Facilities, a protected site under full surveillance by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Madame President,
We strongly and explicitly condemn these bar attacks and criminal attacks. The series of targeted assassinations were against senior military officials, nuclear scientists, and innocent civilians. So far, 78 people have been marching, including senior military officials, more than 320 have been injured, and the vast majority of civilians, including women and children.
Today, Israel continues its attacks against Iran, again targeting multiple civilian and military sites across several Iranian cities.
These intentional and systematic killings were not only illegal, but also inhumane and a sober display of calculated aggression.
These atrocities constitute a clear act of state terrorism and a serious violation of international law.
Madame President,
The inactions of the United Nations, the Security Council and the IAEA have seriously undermined their credibility and authority despite repeated and documented warnings by the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding the Israeli threat to its nuclear sites. Their silence, facing repeated Israeli provocations, encouraged this illicit regime to escalate its violation and cross all red lines.
Let’s be clear. This reckless attack on protected nuclear facilities is contrary to the fundamental principles of international law, as well as the basic human conscience. Damage to these facilities jeopardizes catastrophic radiological consequences that may spread across the region, but not limited to Iran. Only humanity and an unresponsible regime will risk millions of lives in pursuit of its destructive ambitions.
These actions directly violate many legal measures, including the IAEA Act, the Convention on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the Geneva Convention, multiple Security Councils, and the IAEA General Assembly resolutions.
Among other things, this attack is a serious violation of the UN Charter, particularly Article 2(4), which prohibits the use of force or the use of force to territorial integrity or the political independence of any member states.
Israel also violated Iraq’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Iraq’s permanent mission today formally protested and condemned this violation of territorial integrity in letters to the Security Council and the Secretary-General.
Madame President,
Those who support this administration must put the United States at the forefront and realize that they are complicity. By supporting and enabling these crimes, they share full responsibility for their outcomes. Supporting Israel today is to support war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the intentional weakening of global peace and security.
The longstanding crimes of the Israeli regime against oppressed Palestinians, repeated violations of regional sovereignty, and possession of undeclared weapons of mass destruction have made the Middle East the cauldron of chronic instability since its creation. The international community has long been behind the action. This regime must disarm all WMDs, be placed under international supervision and be fully accountable.
Madame President,
This is not a local issue. This is not just an attack on one country. This is a direct attack on the international order, an attack on the UN Charter, the UN system, the global nuclear non-proliferation regime, and the IAEA’s authority.
Israeli leaders, including the criminal prime minister, have shamelessly and publicly held liable for these heinous acts. Israeli officials said the attack was intended to “destroy nuclear talks.” This confession alone is enough to reveal the real motives behind the attack. It involves killing diplomacy, hindering negotiations, and dragging the region into a wider conflict. This leaves no room for denial.
Furthermore, the attack was intentional, coordinated and fully supported by the United States, a permanent member of this council.
There is no doubt that the US accomplices in this terrorist attack. US officials have explicitly and bravely confessed their intentional assistance and support in crimes committed by the Israeli administration, including intentional transfer of arms, and serious violations. We will never forget that our people lost their lives as a result of Israel’s attacks with American weapons.
These actions amount to a declaration of war. They are the latest in a long, well-documented pattern of lawless, instability and aggressive behavior by the Israeli regime, a regime that acts with immunity because it is protected by powerful allies. This should be finished.
Madame President,
The Security Council must now take solid and decisive action. In 1981, the council unanimously responded to Israeli military attacks on Iraq’s Osirak reactor by adopting resolution 487 (1981). The council also called on the criminal administration to refrain from any such future conduct or threats. Had the council enforced that resolution and held Israel accountable at the time, the administration would not have been encouraged to continue illegal actions with immunity. The current attacks are the direct result of decades of inaction and double standards.
Madame President,
The Islamic Republic of Iran has reaffirmed its inherent right to self-defense, as engraved in Article 51 of the UN Charter. Iran responds decisively and proportionally by these acts of aggression, once, place, and their choice. This is not a threat. It is the natural, legal and necessary consequence of an unprovoked military attack.
The Iranian response is solid, legal and essential to restore deterrence, defend our sovereignty, and support the principles of international law. An attacker cannot act with impunity.
Madame President,
We called for this emergency meeting because we hope that this council will fulfill its charter duties. The Security Council must condemn Israel’s illegal attacks on the strongest possible terms. In order to hold the Israeli regime accountable and prevent further erosion of international peace and security, concrete steps must be taken.
Below that, it indicates the collapse of the international system and leads to confusion.
Let’s close with a simple, undeniable truth:
Israel attacked Iran.
Israel violated international law and the UN Charter.
And Israel must be accountable.
The Security Council must act now and immediately suspend these offensive actions.
Silence is an accomplice to this crime.
thank you.
MNA/