WANA (Dec 03) – Iran’s Permanent Mission to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London has issued two formal notes to the organization’s Secretary-General in response to statements made by representatives of the Israeli regime and Yemen during the 34th session of the IMO, firmly rejecting the allegations raised against the country.

 

In the letters addressed to IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, Iran expressed concern over what it described as the misuse of a specialized UN agency for political purposes, stressing that such practices run counter to the IMO’s technical, professional, and non-political mandate.

 

Regarding the claims made by the representative of the Israeli regime, Iran characterized the accusations as baseless and part of a broader pattern aimed at undermining multilateral mechanisms while diverting attention from what Tehran described as Israel’s own record of violations of international law. The note referred to recent incidents affecting maritime safety, including actions by Israeli naval forces against international humanitarian flotillas bound for Gaza. According to Iran’s statement, vessels operating in international waters were halted, inspected, and seized—measures that have been documented by international media outlets, humanitarian organizations, and independent observers. Iran argued that these actions raise serious questions under international humanitarian law and established principles governing freedom of navigation.

 

The Iranian mission also addressed what it described as the Israeli regime’s military attack on Iranian territory in June, labeling the incident a clear violation of Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as a breach of Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter. The attack, the note stated, has further destabilized the region and constitutes a serious threat to regional and international peace and security. In this context, Iran asserted that a regime engaged in violations of another state’s territorial integrity lacks the legal or moral standing to comment on maritime security or the conduct of other states.

 

The letter further cited the situation in Gaza, pointing to reports of United Nations bodies and independent experts concerning large-scale civilian casualties—including women and children—restrictions on access to food, water, medicine, and other essential supplies, and the displacement of millions of people. These actions, Iran argued, constitute grave breaches of international humanitarian law and may fall under the categories of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. According to the note, a regime accused of such violations cannot credibly present itself as a proponent of maritime security, stability, or adherence to international norms.

 

In a separate communication responding to the remarks of Yemen’s representative at the IMO Assembly, Iran categorically rejected any claim or insinuation of military involvement in Yemen. The document stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran has never engaged in any activity that could be interpreted as providing military support to any party to the Yemeni conflict and that such allegations lack credible evidence. The letter reaffirmed that Iran’s policies are transparent and consistent, based on respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference, and that Tehran has consistently supported a peaceful resolution of the Yemeni crisis through dialogue and genuine diplomacy, in full conformity with international law and the UN Charter.

 

In both letters, Iran reaffirmed its full commitment to its obligations under IMO conventions and instruments, including the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR), and the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, as well as relevant domestic regulations.

 

The communications concluded by emphasizing that all matters related to ship registration, regulatory compliance, and maritime conduct should be addressed strictly through the IMO’s established technical procedures, rather than through politically motivated accusations. Iran warned that any attempt to politicize or instrumentalize the organization undermines its mandate and runs counter to the collective interests of its member states.

The Islamic Republic of Iran