WANA (Mar 10) – Iran’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Amir Saeed Iravani, responded to letters from Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait criticizing Iran’s defensive strikes, emphasizing that Iran’s operations targeting U.S. military bases and facilities in the region are not directed against the sovereignty or territorial integrity of Qatar.

 

On Monday, Iravani sent a letter to the UN Security Council and Secretary-General responding to the communications from the three Gulf countries, including correspondence dated March 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8, 2026.

 

Key Points from Iran’s Letter

Iran recalled that the joint aggression by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28, 2026, violated the peremptory norm of the prohibition of aggression. This included the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader and other senior officials, alongside attacks on civilian targets such as schools, hospitals, sports facilities, residential areas, and public service centers.

 

According to Iran, aggressors have also used the territory and facilities of third countries, including Qatar, to carry out illegal military operations, resulting in over 1,300 civilian deaths and destruction of 9,669 civilian sites, including 7,943 housing units, 1,617 commercial and service centers, 35 hospitals and healthcare facilities, nine Red Crescent buildings, and 63 schools.

 

Iran cited the international law principle of no-harm, which prohibits states from knowingly allowing their territory to be used to harm other states. It also referenced Article 3(c) of UN General Assembly Resolution 3314 (1974), classifying the use of one state’s territory by another state to commit acts of aggression as an act of aggression.

 

Iran emphasized that under international law, states must take all necessary measures to prevent foreign armed forces within their territory from committing acts of aggression and must not facilitate or support such acts. Failure to meet these obligations carries legal responsibility.

 

Acting under its inherent right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, and citing the Security Council’s failure to fulfill its responsibilities, Iran said it carried out necessary and proportionate defensive operations against aggressor bases and facilities in the region. Iran stated that warnings were issued through multiple channels in advance of these actions.

 

While Iran rejected Qatar’s March 4, 2026, letter as unfounded, it reiterated its commitment to maintaining friendly relations based on mutual respect, good-neighborliness, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. Iran stressed that its defensive strikes targeting U.S. military facilities are in no way directed against Qatar.

 

Iravani sent a similar letter to the permanent missions of Bahrain and Kuwait, emphasizing the same points.

A destroyed car lies as smoke rises after a reported strike on Shahran fuel tanks, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, March 8, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)