No resistance group involved in Iran’s ‘legitimate’ response to Israel: UN ambassador

Iran's permanent ambassador to the United Nations has roundly dismissed the Israeli regime’s groundless accusations and provocative rhetoric against the Islamic Republic, stressing that no resistance group was involved in the country’s legitimate missile and drone strikes against the occupied territories.

In two identical letters addressed to United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres and UN Security Council President Pedro Comissário Afonso on Tuesday, Amir Saeid Iravani unequivocally rejected the lies and misinformation against Iran raised by the Israeli ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, in a letter dated April 19, 2024. 

“Contrary to such unfounded claims, Iran has consistently upheld international law, adhered to the principles of the UN Charter, and complied with UN Security Council resolutions.

“Moreover, Iran has played an active role in promoting international peace and security through constructive participation in multiple spheres,” Iravani pointed out.

The Iranian diplomat highlighted that the Islamic Republic made it clear in the letters dated April 13 and 30, 2024 (S/2024/305-S/2024/349) that its extensive strikes in the late hours of April 13 were conducted directly and officially solely by Iran, and in response to the Israeli recurring military aggressions, particularly its attack on April 1 against the Iranian diplomatic premises in the Syrian capital Damascus.

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The chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces says Iran’s recent retaliatory strikes on the Israeli-occupied territories have had “strategic" impacts on the region.

“Iran’s action was necessary, legitimate, and fully in line with its inherent right to self-defense under the UN Charter. The action only targeted military objectives and was carried out carefully and with prior notification to prevent civilian harm."

The envoy underlined that “no resistance groups were involved in Iran's legitimate action and any assertions to the contrary are rejected.”

The Iranian UN envoy emphasized that his country, in contrast to Israel's assertions, does not have proxies in the West Asia region, and “no individual, group, or nation operates under Iran’s directive.”

Iravani went on to stress that resistance factions in Iraq, Yemen and Lebanon are not proxies; but rather legitimate groups whose actions are lawful. They are engaged only in fighting against Israeli occupation and aggression on Gaza and other occupied Palestinian territories, as well as occupation forces in other parts of the region.

“Therefore, Israel's attempt to label them as proxies is only aimed at covering up and justifying its own acts of aggression and destabilizing measures in the region.

“It is indisputable that the Israeli regime, characterized by a long history of blatant violations of international law, the UN Charter, and UNSC resolutions, remains the top threat to international peace and security,” he said.

The Iranian envoy stated that any futile attempt by the Israeli regime to obscure the reality through disinformation, smear campaigns, or unsubstantiated accusations against others is groundless and in vain.

“The Israeli regime cannot deny its direct and full responsibility for the ongoing massacre and humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, which are all in defiance of UNSC resolutions,” Iravani pointed out.

He emphasized that Israel must finally bear full responsibility for the consequences of its actions, and the Security Council must address the regime’s persistent destabilizing and irresponsible actions, as well as its atrocities against Palestinians and other nations in the region.

The diplomat said these actions pose a genuine threat to both regional and international peace and security and require immediate attention and decisive action on the part of the Security Council.

He concluded that by leveling baseless allegations Israel is merely attempting to divert international attention away from the ongoing heinous atrocities and acts of genocide perpetrated against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) launched extensive missile and drone strikes last month on the Israeli-occupied territories. The retaliatory strikes, dubbed Operation True Promise, inflicted damage on Israeli military bases across the occupied lands.

The operation came after the Israeli attack on April 1 against the Iranian consulate in Damascus, located next to the embassy building in Damascus’s Mezzeh district.

The airstrike killed two senior Iranian military personnel who were on an advisory mission to Syria as well as five of their accompanying officers.

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