Iran's permanent representative to the UN, Amir Saeed Iravani, stated to the UN Security Council on Monday that Iran's strikes on Israel are acts of self-defense.

In a letter to the Council, Iravani characterized the strikes as "proportional defensive operations aimed exclusively at military targets and associated infrastructure."

The ambassador also warned that any third countries cooperating with Israel in strikes against Iran "become accomplices to legal responsibility and the consequences of this crisis."

Iravani's letter was submitted in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, which requires immediate notification of the 15 members of the Security Council when a state takes action in self-defense against armed attack.

Article 51 of the UN Charter recognizes the right of member states to self-defense in the event of an attack, with the requirement that such actions be reported to the Security Council.