By Esmaeil Baqaei,
Spokesman of Iran’s foreign ministry.
On 13 June 2025, Israel launched a large-scale, unlawfulmilitary attack on Iran, striking residential areas, civilian infrastructure, and safeguarded nuclear facilities. This act, involving air, missile, and drone strikes, is described as a clear violation of international law, especially International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights Law, and the UN Charter. One particularly deadly attack killed 60 civilians, including 35 women and children. The main pretext cited by Israel was Iran’s nuclear program, though the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)has repeatedly verified that Iran’s facilities are for peaceful use and under strict international oversight.
Irancondemned the attacks as deliberate and unlawful, asserting that targeting safeguarded nuclear sites poses serious risks to regional and global security. IAEA resolutions confirm that such attacks are violations of international law. The article also situates Israel’s actions within a broader pattern of aggressive behavior, including allegations of war crimes and genocide in Gaza.
In response, Iran invoked its right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter. Iran stated its retaliation was proportionate, targeting only military objectives while adhering to humanitarian law. The article criticizes the UN Security Council for its failure to act, contrasting it with swift condemnation in past cases like Israel’s 1981 strike on Iraq’s nuclear reactor. Iran urges the international community to condemn Israel’s aggression, affirm the rule of law, and prevent further erosion of international norms.
The Israeli regime cannot be permitted to rewrite the rules of international conduct through repeated violations and calculated provocation. The path to peace begins with accountability, and the international system must summon the will to uphold it.
