WANA (Feb 28) – Following coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel on targets inside Iranian territory, Tehran issued a blunt and unequivocal warning: it will continue what it calls its “legitimate self-defense” until the aggression stops completely and without conditions.

 

Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, sent a formal letter on February 28, 2026 to António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, and James Kariuki, the rotating President of the Security Council. In the letter, he described the recent U.S. and Israeli airstrikes as a “clear violation of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter” and “a manifest act of armed aggression” against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

 

The letter, copies of which were circulated to the foreign ministers of UN member states, states that Iran is exercising its “inherent right of self-defense” under Article 51 of the UN Charter—a provision that allows states to defend themselves in the event of an armed attack until the Security Council takes necessary measures.

 

Declaring “Legitimate Military Targets” in the Region

Araghchi warned that all bases, facilities, and assets of what he termed “hostile forces” in the region would be considered legitimate military targets within the framework of Iran’s self-defense. Observers note that this language potentially broadens the scope of Iran’s response beyond its own territory and raises the risk of wider regional escalation.

 

He further stated that Iran’s armed forces would deploy “all necessary defensive capacities and capabilities” to counter what he called criminal aggression and hold the United States and Israel fully responsible for “all consequences,” including any further escalation.

 

Call for an Emergency Security Council Session

Tehran formally requested an immediate emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, urging it to act “without delay” to halt what Iran described as the unlawful use of force. The letter also called on all UN member states to condemn the attacks and adopt “urgent and collective measures” in response, warning that the situation poses a serious threat to regional and international peace and security.

 

By repeatedly invoking specific provisions of the UN Charter, Tehran appears intent on framing its potential retaliation within the boundaries of international law—seeking both legal justification for its actions and diplomatic pressure on the Security Council.