UNSC discusses Israeli attack on Iran
Iran’s response to Israeli aggression to fit within int’l law: Envoy
Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations said the Islamic Republic reserves its inherent right to respond to the Israel’s recent attacks against the country, saying Tehran’s potential retaliation will be perfectly aligned with the international law.
Amir Saeid Iravani made the remarks at the UN Security Council meeting held Monday to discuss the regime’s attacks against defensive targets across Tehran, Khuzestan, and Ilam Provinces on Saturday.
As a sovereign state, Iran reserves “its inherent right to respond at a time of its choosing to this act of aggression, a right clearly affirmed under Article 51 of the UN Charter,” he said, echoing various Iranian authorities’ promise of retaliation against the aggression.
Denouncing the Israeli atrocities as “egregious and severe violation of international law and the UN Charter” that led to the martyrdom of four Iranian servicemen and one civilian, Iravani added, “Our response will be lawful, and fully compliant with international law.”
Iravani regretted that the United States had emboldened Tel Aviv towards perpetrating the aggression with its “unwavering and unconditional” support and obstruction of the Security Council’s efforts at holding the regime accountable.
He considered the US to be “complicit” in the regime’s acts of aggression across the region due to its provision of technical expertise and advanced military systems to Tel Aviv.
Meanwhile at the meeting, the US warned Iran of “severe consequences” if it undertakes any further aggressive acts against Israel or US personnel in the Middle East.
“We will not hesitate to act in self-defense. Let there be no confusion. The US does not want to see further escalation. We believe this should be the end of the direct exchange of fire between Israel and Iran,” US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the 15-member council.
The Iranian envoy, meanwhile, condemned the Israeli regime’s backers for supporting its atrocities as acts of “self-defense,” while “shamelessly” calling on the Islamic Republic to exercise self-restraint.
Addressing the same meeting, China as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, said the Israeli attack violated Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
China also said the situation in the Middle East is quite volatile and that Beijing is worried about Israel’s behavior.
Russia’s permanent representative to the world body, Vasily Nebenzya, said the “successful” conduct of Iran’s air defense system during the Israeli act of aggression prevented more casualties in the deadly attack.
Nebenzya also warned that the Israeli raid not only violates international law, but also destabilizes the already highly tense situation in the region.
He said that the Israeli assault was “coordinated with the US” against a number of Iranian targets. Israel did not hide its intention to conduct the raid while the US did not try to talk the regime out of it, and even provided Tel Aviv with intelligence, he added.
Like her US counterpart, the British diplomat expressed support for Israel and said, “Iran should not respond to Israel’s attacks.”
The French diplomat stressed that a ceasefire should be established in Gaza as soon as possible and asked Israel to pull out its troops from Lebanon. Algeria’s representative, Ammar bin Jame, said the Israeli attack endangers international peace and security.