The Big Picture: Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, submitted a letter to the UN Security Council rejecting recent accusations made by the Israeli president during a Holocaust memorial ceremony at the UN General Assembly on January 27, 2025.
Why it matters: Iran dismisses these allegations as “baseless” and claims they aim to divert international attention from what Tehran calls the horrific crimes committed by the Israeli regime against the people of Palestine in the Gaza Strip.
What He Is Saying: Iran’s ambassador in his letter states that Israel, not Iran, is the “main and persistent threat to regional and international peace and security.” It says that the Israeli regime has committed genocide and crimes against humanity in Palestine, as well as continually violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon and Syria—actions described as a “blatant violation” of the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions.
Key Points:
- Tehran warns that “illegal” Israeli activities further endanger an already fragile regional stability.
- The Iranian mission contends that Israel’s claims are “part of a deliberate and ongoing effort” to conceal clear violations of international law and its “destructive activities” in the region.
- Iran calls on the international community, and especially the UN Security Council, to hold what it calls the “apartheid regime” accountable for its actions and to take decisive measures to ensure compliance with international law.
Go Deeper: Tehran’s message places renewed emphasis on the role of the UN Security Council in addressing the wider Israeli-aggression against Palestine and the broader regional security challenges. How the UN Security Council and global powers addresses the Israeli crimes and violations affect peace and security in the region.
Israel Reluctant to Honor Ceasefire, Withdraw from Southern Lebanon
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