WANA (Jul 22) – Kazem Gharibabadi, Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, described the recent attacks by Israel and the United States on Iranian territory as a “flagrant violation of the UN Charter” and a “historic test for the credibility of the UN Security Council.” He made these remarks during a high-level briefing held Monday in New York with representatives from more than 110 UN member states.

 

Welcomed by a broad range of delegations, the meeting focused on outlining the legal and geopolitical dimensions of the assaults and their implications for global peace and security. Gharibabadi characterized Israel as the primary source of instability and insecurity in the region for the past eight decades, referencing its record of over 3,000 terrorist operations, the displacement of more than seven million Palestinians, and the killing and imprisonment of hundreds of thousands.

 

He warned that Iran has come under direct attack from two nuclear-armed states, yet the Security Council and the IAEA Board of Governors have failed to issue any resolution condemning the aggression. “If the Security Council is incapable of fulfilling its duties,” he asked, “then which institution is responsible for safeguarding international peace and security?”

 

Gharibabadi labeled the strike on Iran’s peaceful, safeguarded nuclear facilities as “an unprecedented and heinous crime,” and criticized the silence of the IAEA Director General and certain permanent members of the Security Council. “What message,” he asked, “does this silence send to other members of the Non-Proliferation Treaty? Why do the same states that voice loud concerns over Iran’s transparent and lawful nuclear activities remain silent in the face of Israel’s open defiance of international law and its nuclear weapons buildup?”

A view of the aftermath of an Israeli strike on a building on Monday, after the ceasefire between Israel and Iran, in Tehran, Iran, June 26, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Rejecting what he called the “absurd and baseless” claims of “self-defense” and “preemptive strike” invoked by Israel and the United States, Gharibabadi reiterated that Iran’s nuclear program has always been peaceful and has operated under the strictest IAEA oversight. He stressed that, unlike the aggressors, Iran has consistently honored its international obligations.

 

The deputy foreign minister also warned of the legal and political consequences of the continued silence and alignment of three European countries, the IAEA leadership, and the UN Security Council. He described their inaction as a blow to the credibility of international law, the UN system, and the non-proliferation regime. He also firmly rejected recent European remarks regarding the activation of the so-called “snapback mechanism,” calling them legally groundless and warning that any such move would only escalate tensions further, with the West bearing full responsibility.

 

“Iran,” he concluded, “will decisively defend its sovereignty, independence, and national interests in the face of any aggression.”

Arak nuclear facility after U.S. strike. Social media/ WANA News Agency

Broad International Support for Iran’s Position

Representatives of numerous countries voiced strong support for Iran’s stance and condemned the recent attacks:

 

Russia described the attack as “treacherous, unprovoked, and a gross violation of the UN Charter,” warning that it could have triggered a regional nuclear catastrophe. Moscow called on the UN Secretary-General to report the incident to the Security Council and prevent further escalation.

 

China strongly condemned the aggression, calling it a breach of international law and Security Council Resolution 487. It reaffirmed Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear development and urged Europe to play a constructive role rather than fueling tensions.

 

Palestine, recalling recent meetings of Arab foreign ministers and the OIC, expressed solidarity with Iran: “We understand your pain; we live it every day.” The Palestinian representative praised Iran’s diplomatic response and emphasized the need for practical action against aggression.

A picture of a child is seen at his house following an Israeli strike on a building last week, after the ceasefire between Israel and Iran, in Tehran, Iran, June 25, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Venezuela, which currently chairs the Group of Friends in Defense of the UN Charter, reported that its president was closely following developments and called for a high-level summit. Citing Venezuela’s past membership in the Security Council during the adoption of Resolution 2231, the country rejected the legitimacy of the snapback mechanism and reaffirmed Iran’s sovereign right to peaceful nuclear energy.

Belarus condemned the attacks and, referencing the Chernobyl disaster, warned of the dire human and environmental risks posed by strikes on nuclear facilities. It called for strict adherence to the Geneva Conventions.

An ambulance burned by Israeli attacks is displayed on a street, amid the Iran-Israel conflict, in Tehran, Iran, June 23, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Eritrea called the strike “criminal and unprovoked,” characterizing it as part of a dangerous pattern of lawlessness. It reiterated support for Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear use.

Nicaragua expressed full solidarity with the Iranian people, condemned the targeting of peaceful nuclear sites as a blatant violation of the UN Charter, and warned that such actions set a dangerous precedent in the use of force. The Nicaraguan envoy criticized the double standards of certain powers and urged collective international action to defend the Charter and restore a fair global order.

 

This extraordinary session, held amid one of the gravest international crises in recent years, became a platform for challenging double standards, questioning the role of the Security Council, and reevaluating the integrity of the current legal and security architecture.

New Mural Unveiled in Tehran’s Enghelab Square Depicts 28 Killed Children of the 12-Day War. Social media/ WANA News Agency