Iran's UN representative, Amir Saeid Iravani. AFP
In a letter to UN secretary general António Guterres and the body’s president, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Iran’s ambassador to the UN Amir Saeid Iravani said called for an urgent meeting of the security council.
He said: “The United States, acting in full coordination with the Israeli regime, which at the time was already bombarding Iranian civilians and vital infrastructure, carried out deliberate, premeditated and unprovoked aerial strikes against three safeguarded Iranian nuclear sites and facilities.”
Iravani added: “In light of the grave and far-reaching consequences of the United States’ savage and criminal actions for international peace and security, the Islamic Republic of Iran urgently requests the security council to convene an emergency meeting without delay to address this blatant and unlawful act of aggression, to condemn it in the strongest possible terms, and to take all necessary measures under its charter-mandated responsibilities that the perpetrator of such heinous crimes is held fully accountable and does not go unpunished.”
Earlier, Iran's foreign ministry stated the US attacks on nuclear facilities showed that Washington "will stop at no illegality or crime" to support Israel.
"It has now become abundantly clear to all that the very regime which enjoys permanent membership in the Security Council is beholden to no principle or morality and will stop at no illegality or crime to serve the aims of a genocidal, occupying regime," the ministry said in a statement, referring to the United States and Israel respectively.
Earlier on Sunday, immediately after the US attacks on his country, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the US attacks as "lawless and criminal," stressing that his country has the right to defend its sovereignty.
"The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences," he posted on X.
"Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people."
In tandem, the head of Iran’s atomic energy organisation, Mohammad Eslami, has written to the International Atomic Energy Agency asking for an investigation into the US attacks on Iran.
Eslami said the “illegal action” should be examined and said the IAEA’s head Rafael Grossi should stop his “inaction”, condemn US strikes, and take “appropriate” measures.
Reuters reports Eslami has also told Grossi that Iran had taken necessary measures to defend its “sovereign rights” and “will pursue appropriate legal measures."
Meanwhile, in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Grossi said: “In light of the urgent situation in Iran, I am convening an emergency meeting of the IAEA board of governors for tomorrow.
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