Iran says US assaults constitute war crimes, urges UNSC’s action
Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran's ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations, rebuked the United States’ renewed aggression on the Iranian territory, stating that the systematic targeting of civilian infrastructure amounts to "serious violations of international humanitarian law," and is regarded as "war crimes" for which Washington bears full international responsibility. In a letter addressed to the UN Security Council and Secretary-General António Guterres, Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani detailed a wave of US attacks carried out between July 8 and July 16, targeting southern provinces, coastal cities, and ports along the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. "Owing to the Security Council's continued failure to act, the United States continues its acts of aggression against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iran and perpetrates heinous war crimes against the Iranian people in blatant violation of the Charter of the United Nations, and international law, in particular international humanitarian law," Iravani wrote.
According to the letter, US strikes have hit Bandar Abbas, Bushehr, Ahvaz, Chabahar, Konarak, Jask, Sirik, Iranshahr, Abu Musa Island, Greater Tunb Island, and in the early hours of July 16, the cities of Shiraz, Khorramabad, Semnan, Urmia, and Hamedan. The attacks targeted and caused extensive damage to ports, transportation networks, communications facilities, logistics hubs, radar installations, coastal defence systems, and "other infrastructure indispensable to the civilian population." The systematic destruction has disrupted commercial activities, maritime transportation, emergency response services, and daily livelihoods. Iravani drew attention to US President Donald Trump's public statements, including a threat to strike Iran's bridges and power plants "next week." He also highlighted Trump's televised admission regarding the bombardment of Iran's nuclear facilities, "If I wasn't around, or Bibi wasn't around, especially the combination, ... they would have had a nuclear weapon within two weeks had I not hit them with a nuclear." "This statement exposes the dangerous mindset of the President of the United States, reflecting utter contempt for the Charter of the United Nations, international law, and the most fundamental principles of humanity," Iravani wrote. The ambassador called on the Security Council to "take immediate and effective measures to put an end to the US aggression, and to ensure accountability for all severe violations by the United States."