Iran Blames Israel and U.S. for Escalating Conflict, Urges UN Response

By Kamaran Aziz

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, delivered a comprehensive and strongly worded address to the UN Security Council on Friday, accusing Israel of committing war crimes and state terrorism and condemning U.S. support amid escalating military confrontation in the region.

“Thank you. In the name of God, the compassionate, the merciful, we express our sincere appreciation to you, Madam President, for convening this urgent meeting at our request,” Iravani began. He welcomed the presence of the Secretary General and extended gratitude to Undersecretary General Rosemary DiCarlo for her briefing.

Iravani also thanked Algeria, Pakistan, China, and the Russian Federation for “supporting this meeting and for very clear condemnation of Israeli brutal attacks.”

Allegations of Widespread Civilian Targeting

He described the June 13 Israeli military operation as “a large scale unprovoked military attack against the Islamic Republic of Iran.” Citing targeted attacks on major cities including Tehran, Esfahan, Shiraz, Tabriz, and Kermanshah, he said: “The strikes were planned and systematic, killing senior military officials, scientists, professors, students, doctors, artists, athletes, and ordinary civilians, including women, children, and infants. Many died in their sleep. These children killed in their bed.”

Iravani alleged that “hundreds of civilians have been killed and thousands injured,” with Israeli strikes continuing into June 16, targeting Hakim Children Hospital in Tehran, Farabi Rehabilitation Hospital in Kermanshah, the Iranian Red Crescent Society building, and ambulances. He added: “At least two pregnant women and the unborn children were killed on the same day Israel struck the national broadcaster’s IRIB during a live broadcast, killing journalists and humanitarian workers.”

He stated that, “Up till now, five hospitals have suffered from heinous attack of Israeli regime along with physicians and humanitarian personnel who have been killed or injured,” emphasizing, “These were not accident. There were not collateral damage. There were deliberated war crimes, acts of a state terror, an example of barbaric warfare.”

Strikes on Nuclear Sites and Legal Accusations

The ambassador condemned Israeli strikes on safeguarded nuclear facilities: “On thirteen June, it struck the uranium conversion facility and the fuel plate fabrication plant. On eighteen June, it targeted centrifuge production sites in Tehran and Karaj both under IAEA monitoring.” He added that on June 19, Israel attacked “the Arak heavy water reactor built under the JCPOA term and IAEA safeguard with no proliferation risk.”

“These attacks violate the UN Charter, international law, the IAEA statute, and Security Council resolutions 2231 and 487,” Iravani said, warning, “Israeli strikes are an assault on the global nonproliferation regime.”

He criticized the Security Council’s inaction: “If the Council fails to act now, it will send a message that international law and resolution apply selectively. If the nonproliferation regime collapse, this Council will share responsibility with the Israeli regime.”

Iravani accused the IAEA’s Director General of failing to respond adequately: “Despite Iran’s repeated warning about the threats of our peaceful nuclear sites and facilities, the IAE director general has failed to act. His silence undermines the agency authority, neutrality, and credibility.”

Condemnation of U.S. and Allied Complicity

Iran’s envoy turned sharply toward the United States, warning of “credible report that the United States, as a depository of NPT, may be joining this war.” He claimed, “Any such support violate NPT and undermine global security.”

He called out what he termed the selective invocation of law by Western countries: “The selective invocation of international law by US and France using it when convenient, discarding it when it constrained their allies is a form of institutional hypocrisy that gravely undermine the credibility of this council and the international law.”

Reaffirming Iran’s commitment to peaceful nuclear policy, Iravani said: “Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful and under the world’s most extensive IAEA inspections.” He emphasized Iran’s role in disarmament efforts: “Iran has long advocated for a nuclear weapon free zone in The Middle East. Israel is the only possessor of undeclared nuclear weapon in the region.”

Calls for UN Action and End to Impunity

Declaring that Israel’s actions “violate Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Iravani accused the state of “war crimes, crimes against humanity, and state terrorism.” He said, “The already dire situation has been exacerbated by mounting evidence of direct involvement by the United States in this illegal war of aggression.”

He warned: “The U.S. has publicly threatened to strike Iran safeguard nuclear facilities. Such acts constitute a flagrant violation of article two paragraph four of the UN Charter.”

Iravani stated that Iran has acted within its rights: “Iran has exercised its inherent right to self-defense under article 51 of the UN Charter. Our response have complied fully with international law, including humanitarian law.”

He called for specific actions by the Security Council, including: “Determine the Israeli illegal use of force and armed attacks against Iran are a breach of peace and act of aggression, adopt binding and enforcement measures under Chapter Seven, condemn clearly the violation of Iran’s sovereignty and targeting of our safeguard nuclear facilities, and address the risk of wider regional war.”

Final Warning to the Council

Concluding his address, Iravani rejected what he called fabricated justifications for Israeli attacks: “The so-called preemptive attack and existential threat claims used by this terrorist regime and its allies to justify aggression have no basis in international law.”

He accused Israel of “a long and dark history of illegal use of force, violation of all legal international norms, assassination, and nuclear secrecy,” arguing that only with “the support and protection of certain Western states, especially the United States,” has Israel acted with such “impunity.”

Finally, Iravani cautioned: “Failure to act at this critical juncture would constitute a profound abdication of the Council’s responsibilities and a grave betrayal of fundamental principle of the United Nations. Inaction will embolden the aggressor, undermine international law, and send a message of dangerous impunity to the world.”