Tehran – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi has called on the international community to take a clear stance against blatant aggression in the international community, warning that the very foundations of international law are currently at risk.
His remarks came at a broadcast press conference on bystanders at the Islamic Cooperative Organization (OIC) Summit held in Istanbul on Sunday, a day after the US launched airstrikes targeting peaceful Iranian nuclear sites.
“The UN’s own charter is under attack,” Aragut said, stressing that attacks on Iran’s sovereign territory are not seen in isolation. “This isn’t just Iran. It’s about rules that hold the international order together. If the world is silent, those rules will collapse.”
The US operation announced directly on its social media accounts by President Donald Trump, took place early Sunday and was soon condemned by Iranian officials. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) vowed to a “decisive and proportional response,” and said that Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI) would describe the strike as a serious violation of international norms and pursue legal action through international organizations.
Araguchi, the top Iranian diplomat, denounced Washington’s ongoing policy of escalation, accusing the White House of abandoning it in support of diplomacy. “For over 20 years, Iran has been engaged in transparent and peaceful nuclear negotiations with world powers, including P5+1. “Despite its achievements, the US unilaterally retreated, reimposed sanctions and adopted a language of threat. Now it has shifted completely to military attacks.” He warned that setting precedents threatened global security as well as regional stability. “What is the rest of the system that guarantees peace if international law is ignored and the sovereignty of the state is violated without consequence?” he asked. “A collective response is needed at this moment.”
The Foreign Minister also directly criticized President Donald Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric, particularly his recent statement that Iran “should choose peace or face more severe consequences.” Araghchi said such threats amount to opening a terrifying mail, exposing the US’s neglect of diplomacy. “This response cannot come from Iran alone. The global community must reject such threats and defend the principles set out in the UN Charter,” he said.
More broadly, Araguchi framed the attack as part of a larger pattern of attacks driven by US-Israel coordination. “This strike proves that Washington no longer respects international boundaries. It operates under the influence of Netanyahu and the Zionist regime. He also rejected the notion that military strikes could hinder Iran’s nuclear advancement. “Our peaceful nuclear expertise cannot be destroyed with bombs,” he argued.
“Our scientists and our people are still committed. Iran will not be stopped by coercion,” Aragut confirmed he will travel to Moscow on Monday to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. The conference will focus on recent escalations and potential diplomatic measures to combat the current growing threat to regional and international stability. “This is one of the most serious international crimes. Targeting nuclear facilities is an attack on humanity, not just a country,” Araguchi concluded. “We defend our right to sovereignty, dignity and peaceful progress. The Iranian state is united in this cause.”