WANA (May 09) – Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations has denounced the United States for violating the April 8 ceasefire through military action against two Iranian oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on several coastal locations overlooking the strategic waterway.

 

In a letter addressed Friday to UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the president of the UN Security Council, Iran’s permanent representative to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, condemned the “aggressive military actions” carried out by US armed forces late on May 7.

 

“I am writing to express, in the strongest possible terms, the condemnation by the Islamic Republic of Iran of the aggressive military actions carried out by the armed forces of the United States against two Iranian oil tankers in the vicinity of the Port of Jask and the Strait of Hormuz, as well as attacks against several locations in Iran’s coastal areas overlooking the Strait of Hormuz,” Iravani wrote.

 

He said the actions, which he noted were “openly acknowledged by the president of the United States,” constituted “a clear violation of the ceasefire of 8 April 2026, a flagrant breach of Article 2(4) of the Charter of the United Nations.”

 

The Iranian envoy said Washington has continued its unlawful acts through “a so-called maritime blockade,” repeated attacks on Iranian commercial vessels, and “unlawful seizure of Iranian commercial vessels, and the taking hostage of their crews.”

 

“Such unlawful actions are akin to piracy, violate international law and the Charter of the United Nations, and amount to acts of aggression, including under Article 3(c) of General Assembly resolution 3314 (XXIX) of 14 December 1974,” he said.

 

Iravani warned that the latest developments represented “a grave and dangerous escalation” that could further destabilize an already fragile region and pose “a serious threat to international peace and security.”

 

He also criticized Washington’s conduct as incompatible with the responsibilities of a permanent member of the Security Council, saying the US was undermining maritime security rather than protecting it.

 

“At a time when restraint, diplomacy, and dialogue are urgently required, the continued military escalation by the United States sends a clear signal that it advocates for coercion and militarism rather than the peaceful settlement of disputes,” he said.

 

The Iranian diplomat warned that continued US military actions in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz “could be catastrophic,” extending beyond the region and undermining international peace and security, for which “the United States would bear full responsibility.”

 

While reaffirming its “inherent right to self-defense” under Article 51 of the UN Charter, he called on the UN secretary-general and Security Council to “explicitly and unequivocally condemn” US actions, including a naval blockade against the Islamic Republic, and urge Washington to comply with international law and refrain from further provocative measures.

 

US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire with Iran on April 8, following 40 days of aggression against Iran. However, he later ordered the continuation of an illegal blockade of Iranian vessels and ports in violation of the ceasefire’s terms.