Iran reserves all options to protect its sovereignty, interests, and people, and the U.S. attack will have long-term consequences, stated Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi after the U.S. airstrike on three key nuclear facilities in Iran on the night of Sunday.
In a social media post, he stated that the United States, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, "committed a gross violation of the UN Charter, international law, and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons by attacking peaceful nuclear facilities in Iran."
"The events of this morning are outrageous and will have long-term consequences. Every UN member should be concerned about this extremely dangerous, unlawful, and criminal behavior. In accordance with the UN Charter and its provisions allowing for a lawful response in self-defense, Iran reserves all options to protect its sovereignty, interests, and people," wrote Araqchi.
As CNN reports, Iran has already requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to condemn the U.S. strikes on its nuclear facilities, as they violate the UN Charter and the international treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.
In a letter, Iran's ambassador to the UN, Amir Said Iravani, called the U.S. attack "a serious threat to regional and international peace and security." He confirmed the fact of the attack, which targeted the nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
Iravani also stated that the attacks occurred "under the full observation of the International Atomic Energy Agency," the UN body overseeing nuclear energy (IAEA).
The United States of America launched a massive airstrike on key nuclear facilities in Iran on the night of June 22. The operation was confirmed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
He claimed that Iran's key uranium enrichment facilities were completely destroyed and called the operation a brilliant military success. At the same time, Trump labeled Iran as "the number one sponsor of terrorism in the world."
Iran has been developing a nuclear program for decades and insisted that it is intended solely for peaceful energy purposes. At the same time, the international community suspected Iran of developing nuclear weapons. As a result, sanctions were imposed on the country.