Iran Reserves Right to Respond to Israeli Threats: UN Envoy

“While warning against the Israeli regime's military adventurism against Iran in order to pursue its malign policies in the region, the Islamic Republic of Iran reserves its legitimate right, in accordance with international law and the United Nations Charter, to respond to such criminal and terrorist acts and protect its people and national security interests at any time it deems appropriate,” Majid Takht Ravanchi said in a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and President of the Security Council Ronaldo Costa Filho on Monday.

The Iranian ambassador also called on the Security Council to uphold its charter obligation to maintain international peace and security and condemn the Israeli regime's warmongering policies and malevolent activities, which are a real threat to international peace and security.

What follows is the full text of the Iranian envoy’s letter:

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

Excellency,

I would like to bring to your attention the Israeli regime's ongoing violations of international law against Iran.

The Israeli regime continues to threaten to use force against Iran, the most recent of which is a statement made by the Israeli National Security Advisor and Head of the Israeli National Security Council, in which he publicly confirms and bears the responsibility for Israeli subversive operations and terrorist acts within the Iranian territory.

In an interview on 14 July 2022, Eyal Hulata, the Head of the Israeli regime's National Security Council openly threatened Iran with more terrorist operations, stating, "We have acted not infrequently over the last year... in Iran."

He also said, "Israel would act independently against the Islamic Republic regardless of Washington's view on the issue," adding, "this would just be a continuation of what it has already done for the last year."

This provocative statement constitutes not only a flagrant violation of international law and the United Nations Charter but also a blatant admission of responsibility for Israel's terrorist and destructive operations against Iranian officials, scientists, civilians, and peaceful nuclear infrastructure committed by this regime inside Iranian territory during recent years.

It also proves the fact that the Israeli regime is responsible for such criminal and terrorist acts and must be held accountable and bear the consequences.

Furthermore, the Israeli regime's Defense Minister Benny Gantz has once again resorted to lies and disinformation campaign against Iran's peaceful nuclear program, claiming in an interview on 26 July 2022 that Israel has the ability to seriously harm and delay Iran's nuclear program, stating, "We are able to seriously harm and delay the nuclear [program]."

While warning against the Israeli regime's military adventurism against Iran in order to pursue its malign policies in the region, the Islamic Republic of Iran reserves its legitimate right, in accordance with international law and the United Nations Charter, to respond to such criminal and terrorist acts and protect its people and national security interests at any time it deems appropriate.

The Security Council is expected to uphold its charter obligation to maintain international peace and security and condemn the Israeli regime's warmongering policies and malevolent activities, which are a real threat to international peace and security.

This regime must be forced to comply with international law and abandon its dangerous plans for the region.

I would also like to take this opportunity to categorically reject all unwarranted and unjustified references to Iran as well as the unsubstantiated accusations leveled against my country by the representative of the Israeli regime contained in the documents S/2022/535 and S/2022/550.

 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.