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Iran has formally requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council following U.S. military strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities on Sunday.
In a letter dated June 21, Iranian Ambassador to the UN Amir Saeid Iravani expressed urgent concern over what Iran characterized as the unlawful use of force by the United States against Iranian sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Iranian diplomatic mission said the strikes targeted three safeguarded Iranian nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. Iran described the attacks as "deliberate, premeditated, and unprovoked aerial strikes" conducted in coordination with Israel.
Iran's mission condemned what it termed blatant acts of aggression by Israel, which it accused of possessing undeclared nuclear capabilities and maintaining a stockpile of nuclear weapons outside international oversight.
The letter referenced Iran's civilian nuclear program, noting that the targeted facilities "have remained under the full verification and continuous monitoring of the International Atomic Energy Agency."
Iran characterized the strikes as violations of international law and the U.N. Charter, arguing they constituted a manifest breach of the country's sovereignty.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a statement expressing grave alarm about the military action.
"I am gravely alarmed by the use of force by the United States against Iran today," Guterres said, describing the strikes as "a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge."
The UN chief warned that "there is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control—with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world."
Guterres emphasized diplomatic solutions remained the only viable path forward, stating that "there is no military solution" and "the only path forward is diplomacy."
Iran's letter requested the Security Council convene an emergency meeting without delay to address what it called an unlawful act of aggression. The Iranian mission asked the council to condemn the strikes in the strongest possible terms.
The letter concluded with Iran's request that the document be circulated among Security Council members for formal consideration.
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