Iran accuses US, Israel of 'atrocious terrorist act' in letter to UN

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Sunday formally accused the US and Israel of carrying out a “cowardly act of terror” targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In a letter addressed to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and members of the Security Council, Araghchi said the US and Israel deliberately targeted Khamenei on Feb. 28 in “unprovoked and unjustified acts of aggression” against Iran’s sovereignty.

"I am writing to bring to your urgent attention the latest outrageous and criminal act perpetrated against the great nation of Iran by the United States and the Israeli regime.

"Failure to respond decisively to such conduct will not only embolden its perpetrators but will also inflict lasting and irreparable damage on the foundations of the international legal order for decades to come," Araghchi said in the letter.

He called the strike a “grave and unprecedented breach” of international law, citing Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.

Since Saturday morning, Israel and the US have carried out strikes on Iran, killing the supreme leader and many other top security officials.

Iran, in response, launched drone and missile attacks on Israel and US assets in the region that prompted many Gulf states to shut their airspace.

The letter also referenced Article 51, affirming what Iran described as its “inherent and unequivocal right” to self-defense.

"In light of the foregoing, and at a time when the normalization of grave violations of international law regrettably threatens the integrity of the international system, the Islamic Republic of Iran solemnly calls upon the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Security Council to discharge their Charter-mandated responsibilities for the maintenance of international peace and security and take immediate, concrete, and effective measures to ensure the full accountability of the United States and the Israeli regime for the aforementioned atrocious terrorist act," Araghchi said.

He requested that the letter be circulated as an official Security Council document.