WANA (Jun 18) – Iran has officially protested Israel’s military attack and called on the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to take a clear position.

 

On Tuesday, June 17, 2025, Ali Bahreini, Iran’s ambassador and permanent representative in Geneva, sent a formal letter and a legal memorandum to Ms. Mirjana Spoljaric, President of the ICRC, expressing Iran’s strong objection to Israel’s military aggression on Iranian territory.

 

The letter urged the ICRC to issue an immediate and unequivocal response to the assault, which began on June 13, 2025, and has resulted in hundreds of civilian casualties—including women and children—and caused widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure.

 

According to the letter, Israel, in cooperation with affiliated mercenaries, has deliberately targeted critical civilian infrastructure such as water networks, electricity grids, and medical centers—acts that constitute a clear violation of international humanitarian law and UN General Assembly Resolution 3314 (1974). The Islamic Republic of Iran described these attacks as acts of aggression that fall outside the boundaries of international legal norms.

 

Bahreini also emphasized that Iran’s military response was carried out under Article 51 of the UN Charter—the inherent right of self-defense—and in accordance with the principles of proportionality and prior warnings to civilians.

 

The letter calls on the ICRC to take Iran’s defensive actions into account and to adopt a fair and balanced approach in assessing the situation.

 

The attached legal memorandum provides an in-depth analysis of general international law and humanitarian law, describing Israel’s attacks as clear violations of foundational principles, including the principles of distinction and prohibition of indiscriminate attacks. Citing rulings from the International Court of Justice and other international instruments, the document calls for holding the aggressor accountable.

 

In closing, Iran urged the ICRC to use its authority to recognize and condemn Israel’s military assault on Iranian territory as an “act of aggression,” and to take necessary steps to document the events, support the victims, and ensure legal accountability through judicial follow-up.