Iran Warns of Legitimate Response to Israeli Threats

Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations Saeed Iravani sent a letter to the President of the UN Security Council Vanessa Frazier and UN Secretary GeneralAntonio Guterres on February 1 to draw attention to the Israeli regime's acts of terrorism and sabotage as well as violations of international law against Iran.

What follows is the text of the letter:

In the name of God, the most Compassionate, the most Merciful

Excellency

Further to the letter dated 3 January 2023 (S/2023/9), I would like to draw the attention of the United Nations Security Council to further instances of the Israeli regime's acts of terrorism and sabotage as well as violations of international law against the Islamic Republic of Iran. On Saturday, January 28th, 2023, at 11:30 PM (local time), an attempt was made to launch a terrorist attack against a workshop complex of the Iranian Defense Ministry in the city of Isfahan using three Micro Aerial Vehicles (MAVs). Fortunately, Iran's air defense system was able to intercept and bring down two of the drones, effectively thwarting the attack. Early investigations suggest that the Israeli regime was responsible for this attempted act of aggression.

Meanwhile, the Israeli regime persists in its violations of international law and the Charter of the United Nations through its threats to use force against Iran's critical infrastructure, including Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities. This hostile behavior was recently exemplified by provocative statements made by Isaac Herzog, the President of the Israeli regime on January 27th, 2023, during his visit to NATO headquarters in Brussels, in which he declared that NATO must take a strong stance against Iran through economic, legal, and political sanctions and credible military deterrence." On January 16th, 2023, the Chief of Staff of the Israeli militray forces, Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi, used threatening language similar to other Israeli regime authorities when he claimed three operational plans to attack Iran. He stated, "These extend from a retaliatory strike on Iran that would be unrelated to the nuclear issue, to the taking out of the Iranian nuclear installations and auxiliary sites in that project, and if the situation eventually escalates into a full-fledged campaign then these plans also include the targeting of military sites and other assets." In response to a question about Israeli regime ability to destroy Iran's nuclear program as it did in Iraq and Syria, he replied, "Let me put it more precisely: I meant neutralizing; inflicting significant damage on Iran's nuclear program."

Furthermore, in a recent interview with CNN on January 31, 2023, the Prime Minister of the Israel regime, Benjamin Netanyahu, admitted Israel’s involvement in acts of sabotage and terrorism in Iran. He stated that Israel has been "taking action against certain weapons development" and added that “I never talk about specific operations… and every time some explosion takes place in the Middle East, Israel is blamed or given responsibility – sometimes we are sometimes we’re not.”

This is not the first instance where the Israeli regime has made threats to use force or carried out criminal and terrorist acts within Iranian territory. In recent years, this regime has frequently threatened Iran and conducted numerous acts of terrorism and sabotage against Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities, officials, scientists, and civilians, as outlined in our letter of 7 September 2022 (S/2022/679). The Israeli regime has openly admitted its involvement in these reprehensible crimes. Hence, it must be held accountable for all criminal and terrorist acts committed against Iran and face the consequences without exception.

In light of the destructive consequences of the Israeli regime’s persistent malicious activities in the region, particularly its threat to use force against Iran’s critical infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities, the United Nations Security Council must fulfill its responsibility under the Charter and condemn Israel's warmongering statements and acts of terrorism, including state terrorism, which pose a serious threat to regional and international peace and security. The Security Council must also demand that the Israeli regime comply with international law and cease its dangerous plans and malicious activities in the region.

The Islamic Republic of Iran reserves its legitimate and inherent right, in accordance with international law and the United Nations Charter, to defend its national security and respond resolutely to any threats or wrongful actions by the Israeli regime, wherever and whenever deemed necessary.

I would also like to bring to the attention of the United Nations Security Council the concerning provocative and unjustified statement made by a senior official from Ukraine. On January 29th, 2023, Mykhailo Podolyak, a Senior Advisor to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, threatened brazenly to use force against Iran's critical infrastructure with a tweet that read: "Explosive night in Iran, drone-missile production, and oil refineries; Ukraine had warned you." This statement came in the aftermath of an Israeli terrorist attack on Iranian territory and was attempted to directly link to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This kind of behavior and the thoughtless statement is not only reckless and irresponsible but also a clear violation of international law and the principles set forth in the United Nations Charter. Such belligerent behavior must be firmly condemned and not tolerated.

The Islamic Republic of Iran reiterates once more its principled position on the current conflict in Ukraine which is based on active impartiality and neutrality. Iran opposes any form of conflict or war, both in Ukraine and around the world. Iran also places a high priority on respecting Ukraine's sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity. Iran supports resolving the conflict in Ukraine peacefully and through diplomatic means, using negotiations as the means to find a peaceful solution.

I should be grateful if you would have the present letter circulated as a document of the Security Council.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.