Tehran – Iran’s UN ambassador has recently denounced the United States, urging Israel to attack the country’s nuclear facilities as a “blatant violation” of the UN Charter, urging the international community to hold perpetrators accountable.
Speaking to the UN General Assembly on Thursday during a session marking the International Day on Nuclear Tests, Amir Said Irabani said the commemoration serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of nuclear weapons and testing on human life, the environment and international safety. He emphasized that new nuclear risks are emerging, including deliberate attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities.
“The danger posed by nuclear tests is not limited to intentional explosions alone. The threat or use of force to nuclear facilities is equally significant risk,” Irabani said.
The envoy pointed to a “reckless” Israeli and the US attack on Iran’s protected nuclear sites in June. It operates under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and is dedicated solely to peaceful purposes. Such a strike, he said, is a “direct attack on the foundations of multilateralism,” and constitutes a “significant threat” to global peace and security.
Irabani also condemned Israeli attacks on Iranian cities hosting International Surveillance Systems (IMS) stations, part of the global verification network for nuclear tests. He warned that such actions would not only endanger the safety of technical staff, but would not only compromise the integrity of the facility, but also collided with the core infrastructure of the international non-proliferation regime.
“The international community must clearly condemn these actions, demand accountability from those who violate international law, and strengthen protection of nuclear facilities,” he said. “The perpetrator must know that he cannot enjoy immunity for such a serious violation.”
The ambassador warned that staying silent about these attacks is equivalent to betraying the memories of victims of nuclear tests. He emphasized that attacks on protected facilities undermines both the “inviolable” rights of sovereign states and the credibility of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
“What remains of its meaning to guarantee the promise of a treaty if peaceful nuclear facilities are no longer considered safe from threats or the use of force?” Irabani asked.
On June 13, Israel launched an unprovoked assault, causing a 12-day conflict that killed at least 1,064 people in Iran, including senior servicemen, nuclear scientists and civilians. The US took part in the attack by bombing three nuclear sites in Iran.
Iran later carried out retaliatory operations against both Israel and the United States, and managed to stop the attack by June 24th.