Speaking to UN-accredited correspondents in New York, the Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ambassador Amir-Sayyed Irawani, condemned the “ongoing terrorist and criminal attack by the Israeli regime.”

It warned that the strikes constitute a “flagrant act of aggression against Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”, accusing Israel of launching a coordinated campaign of unlawful and indiscriminate violence against civilians and critical infrastructure.

“Israel has committed a blatant act of aggression against Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The uninterrupted campaign of atrocities against our people continues without respite.”
He stressed.

According to the Iranian ambassador, these actions constitute a “serious violation of the UN Charter and the fundamental principles of international law”. The attacks, he stressed, “cross all red lines,” particularly because Israel “deliberately struck a peaceful nuclear facility operating under the full guarantee of the IAEA.”

He described the strike on the nuclear facility as a “dangerous and illegal act”, warning of the potential consequences.

“It poses a serious risk of releasing radioactive materials. If Iran had not immediately contained the situation, the consequences could be catastrophic,” he said.

Rejecting Israel’s claim of “surgical strikes,” Irawani said that “Israeli claims of surgical strikes are false and misleading.”

Instead, he said, “Israel has launched a campaign of illegal and indiscriminate attacks against civilian infrastructure in Iran.” “Civilians have been killed,” he noted.

According to the figures he presented, 1,480 Iranians have been killed or injured, including at least 224 civilians, including women and children. In one of the attacks, about 20 children were martyred in an apartment building in Tehran, a number that “may increase due to the severity of the injuries.”

The Iranian ambassador reported significant damage to political and economic infrastructure.

“Water tanks, fuel depots, petrochemical facilities, including the Asaduyeh refinery in Bushehr province were hit. Hospitals were also hit. These are not accidents. They are war crimes,” he stressed.

He particularly pointed to the attack on the offices of the state news agency during a live broadcast.

“The Israeli regime deliberately attacked the offices of Iran’s national news agency. This horrific attack is a blatant war crime and a direct attack on the freedom of the press.”

He accused Israel of being “the main enemy of truth”. “It holds the shameful record as the world’s biggest perpetrator of violence against journalists and media workers.”

Referring to Iran’s response, he said the following: “In response to this brutal attack and aggression, Iran has exercised its inherent right to self-defence under Article 51 of the Charter. Our response was defensive, targeted and proportionate.”

Our response was defensive, targeted and proportionate.

He stressed that Iran was not seeking war or escalation, but would not hesitate to defend “its people, territory and sovereignty,” adding that “unlike the Israeli regime, Iran respects international humanitarian law and has not targeted civilians.”

Irawani openly accused the United States of complicity.

“American forces supported Israeli aggression. Without US weapons, intelligence and political support, this attack could not have taken place. The US will share responsibility for this illegal act.”

Moreover, he claimed that the Israeli attack was aimed at minimising the nuclear negotiations, which were to resume in Moscow.

“Iran came to the table in good faith with a new proposal for bridging the differences. The US, however, responded in bad faith. This hypocrisy undermines trust and diplomacy. Israel is trying to sabotage diplomacy through violence,” he said.

He added that “Interrupted talks lead to escalation and distract from its ongoing crimes, particularly the genocide in Gaza.”

He clearly stated that Iran did not initiate any conflict.

“Iran has not attacked Israel. Iran did not start any war. The ‘existential threat’ narrative is false. It has no legal basis. It is only used to justify attacks and to cover up Israeli war crimes.”

He also warned “other countries” that “Iran warns that any country that supports Israeli aggression will share legal responsibility for the consequences.”

He recalled that Iran called for an emergency meeting of the Security Council, saying “our request was simple. The Council must act now. It should condemn aggression. Stop the aggressor. To defend the Charter and international law.”

He also condemned the silence of the Security Council: “The Council’s silence and indifference undermine its credibility and the very foundations of the UN.”

He thanked those who supported Iran, such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Friends Group for the Defense of the UN Charter. He also said that a new letter has already been sent to the Secretary General and the Security Council.

“We call on the Security Council to condemn this act of aggression, to hold the aggressor and his supporters accountable, and to take urgent action to prevent further attacks. Inaction only emboldens the attacker and undermines the rule of law. It will damage the credibility of the Security Council.”

He stressed that Israel is the only regime in the region that possesses nuclear weapons and “refuses to accede to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and place its facilities under IAEA control. It has attacked almost all its neighbours and continues to commit atrocities in Gaza without any consequence.”

“Iran will continue to act within the framework of international law. We will defend ourselves legally and proportionately. But it is the Council’s primary responsibility to maintain international peace and security. The Security Council must act now to stop the genocidal aggressor from committing new crimes against our people,” he said.