WANA (Mar 28) – Iran’s representative to the United Nations stated that the deliberate attack on fuel storage facilities constitutes a clear violation of international humanitarian law and multilateral environmental obligations, and meets the criteria of an environmental crime, including ecocide.

 

Saeed Iravani, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations, in a letter addressed to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council—alongside the transmission of a letter from Iran’s Oil Minister regarding attacks by the Israeli regime and the United States on oil facilities—declared: With reference to my letters dated March 9 and 18, 2026, concerning the catastrophic environmental, public health, food security, and cultural heritage consequences arising from attacks by the Israeli regime and the United States against the oil storage facilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as the letter from Mohsen Paknejad, Minister of Oil of the Islamic Republic of Iran, I wish to emphasize the following points.

 

He continued: As outlined in the attached correspondence, the Israeli regime and the United States, in continuation of their hostile policies and military aggression, carried out attacks on March 7 and 18, 2026, against Iran’s strategic oil depots, storage facilities, and gas refineries.

 

He added: These attacks represent a serious escalation, targeting Iran’s energy security and economic stability, and have had extensive consequences for civilian infrastructure and essential services. These actions have not only led to the destruction of parts of Iran’s oil and gas infrastructure and damage to its energy network, but have also resulted in catastrophic humanitarian and environmental consequences.

 

Iravani stated: The deliberate targeting of fuel storage facilities constitutes a clear violation of international humanitarian law and multilateral environmental commitments, and meets the criteria of an environmental crime, including ecocide. Such acts give rise to the international responsibility of the Israeli regime and the United States as perpetrators of these crimes and require full accountability before competent international bodies, including the obligation to provide full compensation for all material and moral damages incurred.

 

He further stated: In this context, I respectfully request that the Secretary-General strongly and unequivocally condemn these unlawful acts and call upon the international community to take immediate and effective measures to ensure accountability and prevent the recurrence of such grave violations. I would be grateful if you would arrange for this letter and its annex to be circulated as an official document of the Security Council.