Why it matters:
The U.S. assassination of General Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike on January 3, 2020, set a dangerous precedent for international relations and state sovereignty. Iran’s statements reaffirm its position that the U.S. violated international law and human rights, while also warning that such actions continue to threaten regional stability and security.
The big picture:
Iran has long asserted that the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani is a direct violation of international law, including the United Nations Charter. Iran's official letters to the UN Security Council have documented the premeditated nature of the attack, emphasizing its illegal and aggressive character. In addition to this, Iran pointed out further aggressive U.S. actions in 2025, particularly regarding its involvement in the Israeli regime's attacks against Iran.
What he's saying:
Iran’s UN Ambassador, Amir-Saeid Iravani, emphasized in a letter to the UN that such actions, if left unaccountable, could destabilize the international legal system and undermine the United Nations’ foundation.
Iravani stated that the assassination of Gen. Soleimani, a senior official of a sovereign state, "constitutes a flagrant violation of international law," and sets "an exceptionally dangerous precedent" for international relations, compromising the prohibition on the use of force and posing a serious threat to international peace and security.
He further warned that if such U.S. actions were normalized or tolerated, they would “severely undermine the very foundations of the international legal order upon which the United Nations is built.”
Key points:
- The attack, carried out under a public order from the U.S. president, violated the sovereignty of a U.N. member state.
- Iran also condemned U.S. support for the Israeli regime's aggression against Iran in 2025, which violated international law and targeted civilians.
- Iran is pursuing all legal avenues to hold the U.S. accountable for these actions.
Go deeper:
Iran’s President Pledges to Continue Gen. Soleimani’s Path, Vows Resistance
M.Majdi - seyed mohammad kazemi
