Iran Prepared for Stronger Self-Defense - Ambassador

COLOMBO (News 1st); Dr. Alireza Delkhosh, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Sri Lanka commenting on the missile strikes said that the inaction and incapacity of the Security Council to fulfill its primary duty of maintaining international peace and security and preventing aggressions, along with the repeated and blatant violations of fundamental principles of international law, including humanitarian law and human rights, left Iran with no option but to exercise its legitimate right under international law to take legal action in self-defense of its national security and vital interests.

He said that the Islamic Republic of Iran is prepared to take immediate, decisive, and stronger action than before in self-defense under international law in the event of any further aggression by the Zionist regime.

The Ambassador said that Iran continues to call for immediate and effective action from the United Nations Security Council to prevent threats to regional and international peace and security by the Zionist regime and to end the Gaza war, which is a source of tension and crisis in the Middle East.

This requires an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the complete withdrawal of occupying Israeli forces from this area, and the cessation of attacks and aggressions against Lebanon, said the Ambassador.

Full Statement Below: 

His Excellency, Dr. Alireza Delkhosh
Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Sri Lanka

The missile defense operations of the Islamic Republic of Iran on October 1, 2024, against the military targets of the Israel regime, were conducted in accordance with the inherent right to self-defense as outlined in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, in response to the aggressive actions of the Zionist regime. These actions include violations of Iran's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the assassination of a political leader of Hamas and the former Prime Minister of Palestine in Tehran on July 31, 2024, who was an official guest of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the injury of our ambassador in Lebanon due to the deliberate and indiscriminate targeting of civilians in Lebanon through pager explosions on September 7, 2024, as well as the assassination of the Secretary-General of Hezbollah in Lebanon and Brigadier General Abbas Nilforoushan (the senior military advisor of Iran in Beirut) on September 27, 2024.

In contrast to the Zionist regime, which continuously views innocent civilians and civilian infrastructure as legitimate targets for aggression and murder, the Islamic Republic of Iran, based on ethical principles and the high teachings of Islam, and in complete conformity and compliance with the Principle of Distinction (distinguishing between civilian and military individuals and targets) in International Humanitarian Law, targeted only military and security installations with defensive missile strikes.

The inaction and incapacity of the Security Council to fulfill its primary duty of maintaining international peace and security and preventing aggressions, along with the repeated and blatant violations of fundamental principles of international law, including humanitarian law and human rights, left Iran with no option but to exercise its legitimate right under international law to take legal action in self-defense of its national security and vital interests.

The exercise of the Islamic Republic of Iran's inherent right, following two months of patience and restraint, reflects our country’s responsible approach toward regional and international peace and security; but unfortunately, the aggressive and terrorist regime of Israel has made a miscalculation and continues its threats against the territorial integrity and security of our country and has undertaken further terrorist and aggressive actions, including escalating the war into Lebanon and assassinating commanders and the Secretary-General of Hezbollah in Lebanon. Therefore, the Islamic Republic of Iran was compelled to conduct this defensive operation to restore regional stability and security and to halt the regime's machine of terror and aggression against its sovereignty and independence.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is prepared to take immediate, decisive, and stronger action than before in self-defense under international law in the event of any further aggression by the Zionist regime.

We hope that the government of the United States of America and other allies of the Zionist regime will abandon their previous approach and deter the wicked, rebellious, and criminal Israeli regime from continuing its genocidal crimes, war crimes, aggressions, and terrorism, so that the region may move swiftly toward security, stability, and peace.

We continue to call for immediate and effective action from the United Nations Security Council to prevent threats to regional and international peace and security by the Zionist regime and to end the Gaza war, which is a source of tension and crisis in the Middle East. This requires an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the complete withdrawal of occupying Israeli forces from this area, and the cessation of attacks and aggressions against Lebanon.