Iran has defended its Saturday night attack on Israel, saying it was in response to a raid on the Iranian consulate in Syria on April 1.
In a statement released in the wee hours of Sunday morning, the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations, however, faulted the UN Security Council for failing to stop Israel’s aggression, which claimed the lives of seven Iranian senior military advisors.
“Upon instructions from my Government and pursuant to our letter dated 1 April 2024 concerning the Israeli regime’s armed attacks against the diplomatic premises of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Damascus, the Syrian Arab Republic, which led to the martyrdom of seven Iranian senior military advisories (A/78/838-S/2024/281), I would like to inform you that, in the late hours of 13 April 2024, the Islamic Republic of Iran carried out a series of military strikes on Israeli military objectives,” the statement reads.
“This action was in the exercise of Iran’s inherent right to self-defense as outlined in Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, and in response to the Israeli recurring military aggressions, particularly its armed attack on 1st April 2024 against Iranian diplomatic premises, in the defiance of Article 2 (4) of the Charter of the United Nations.”
Iran accused the UN Security Council of failing in its duty to maintain international peace and security, which it said had allowed the Israeli regime to “transgress red lines and violate the fundamental principles of international law.”
“Such violations have exacerbated tensions in the region and threatened regional and international peace and security,” the mission stated.
Iran, while acknowledging its commitment to resolving the conflict amicably, warned that any further provocations would result in a “stronger” response.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran will not hesitate to exercise its inherent right of self-defense when required. Should the Israeli regime commit any military aggression again, Iran’s response will assuredly and decisively be stronger, and more resolute,” the mission warned.
Israel said on Sunday that more than 300 drones and missiles were launched at it from Iran, Iraq and Yemen, adding that a majority of them had been intercepted.
Israel further noted that the attacks had resulted in minimal damage but warned people to remain alert.
United States President Joe Biden condemned the Iranian drone attacks on military facilities in Israel, further affirming America’s “ironclad commitment” to the security of Israel.
“Tomorrow, I will convene my fellow G7 leaders to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack,” he said.
Iran’s attack mirrors that of Israel-Hamas war which started on October 7, 2023.
Hamas launched missile attacks on Israel, saying the attack was in response to the continued Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories, the blockade of the Gaza Strip, the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements, threats to the status of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the plight of Palestinian refugees and prisoners.
