WANA (Jun 13) – Reza Najafi, Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Vienna, strongly condemned the recent Israeli military assault on Iranian nuclear facilities and stated the Islamic Republic of Iran will not leave such aggression unanswered.

 

Speaking during a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors held on Friday, Najafi said: “The Islamic Republic of Iran has been the target of a military aggression by the Israeli regime, with full prior knowledge of the United States. Among the main targets was the Natanz nuclear facility—one of Iran’s principal nuclear sites operating under full IAEA safeguards and inspection.”

 

Najafi emphasized that the deliberate targeting of Iranian nuclear infrastructure constitutes a serious violation of international law, the UN Charter, and the IAEA Statute. “This dangerous act not only threatens regional and international peace and security, but also gravely undermines the global non-proliferation regime and the integrity of the IAEA’s mandate,” he warned.

 

The Iranian envoy further revealed that the attack was accompanied by a series of targeted assassinations of senior Iranian officials and nuclear scientists in residential areas of Tehran, which led to civilian casualties. “These deliberate and reckless actions are clear examples of state terrorism,” he said, adding that responsibility for these crimes was “brazenly and publicly claimed by the notorious prime minister of the Israeli regime.”

 

Najafi criticized the IAEA for what he called a “deeply regrettable and astonishing failure” to fulfill its duties. He stated that the Agency and its Director General were well aware of the Israeli regime’s repeated threats against Iranian nuclear sites and had even received reports indicating the likelihood of such attacks in recent meetings.

 

“Iran formally informed the Director General of these threats through multiple official letters and requested an effective response,” Najafi said. “Nevertheless, no action was taken, and the Director General did not even condemn these threats. His statement this morning comes far too late.”

 

He added that under the IAEA Statute, the Agency is legally obliged to report any act or threat of aggression against safeguarded nuclear facilities to the UN Security Council. “This obligation is not optional. The IAEA and its Director General had a clear duty to act when Iran formally notified them of credible threats against safeguarded sites, including Natanz.”

 

Najafi accused the Agency’s inaction—and public remarks by its officials that he said fueled a hostile narrative—of emboldening the aggressor and enabling the attack. “The Agency’s silence and inaction, in violation of its Statute and relevant Security Council resolutions, makes it complicit in this unprecedented and unlawful assault,” he asserted.

 

Iran, he continued, expects the Board of Governors and the IAEA to unequivocally condemn this act of state terrorism and to hold Israel accountable without delay. “Responsibility for any future consequences affecting Iran’s peaceful nuclear program will rest squarely with the Agency and those who supported this crime.”

 

Najafi also warned Israel’s backers, particularly the United States: “Supporting the Israeli regime means supporting violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, acts of aggression, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. They must be held accountable alongside the perpetrators.”

 

Reaffirming Iran’s right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, Najafi declared: “The Islamic Republic of Iran will not leave such aggression unanswered. With a proud history of resistance, the Iranian nation will not allow aggressors to act with impunity. The perpetrators of this criminal act will face severe consequences.”

 

He concluded by affirming that Iran will take “all necessary legal, proportionate, and decisive measures to defend its sovereignty, people, and peaceful technological achievements.”

 

It is worth noting that during the meeting, a letter from Iran’s Foreign Minister to the IAEA Director General was also read aloud.

A building stands damaged in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)