Tehran is seeking global intervention following what it describes as “reckless and belligerent” statements from the US president.
Iran has formally protested to the UN Security Council regarding President Trump’s threats of military force, characterizing his words as “reckless and belligerent.”
Trump recently threatened Iran with unprecedented bombing if it doesn’t agree to a nuclear accord. Iranian leaders have condemned this threat and vowed to retaliate if attacked.
In a letter submitted to the Security Council on Monday, Iran’s UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani accused the US of a serious violation of international law by these threats.
The letter stated that Tehran “strongly warns against any military adventurism and will respond swiftly and decisively to any act of aggression or attack by the United States or its proxy, the Israeli regime, against its sovereignty, territorial integrity, or national interests.”
The letter also implored the international community to “fulfil its responsibility under the UN Charter to maintain international peace and security” and to “unequivocally condemn” the US threats.
In a recent interview with NBC News, Trump stated that if Iran doesn’t agree to curb its nuclear program, the US would attack.
“If they don’t make a deal there will be bombing. And it will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before,” Trump said.
These escalating remarks come after years of increasing tension surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions. During his first term as president, Trump controversially withdrew the US from the 2015 JCPOA, an international agreement where Iran agreed to limit its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of some sanctions. Following the US withdrawal and the reimposition of sanctions, Iran reportedly began to reduce its adherence to the terms of the agreement.
IAEA head Rafael Grossi reported in December that Iran had increased its uranium enrichment to 60% purity and expressed alarm. Uranium needs to be enriched to around 90% to be considered weapons-grade.
Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and permitted under “international frameworks.”
Earlier in March, Trump claimed to have sent a letter to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, proposing renewed talks on the nuclear deal and giving Iran two months to comply.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian responded by urging Washington to first rebuild trust with Tehran. During a recent cabinet meeting, Pezeshkian rejected direct talks but acknowledged that “the path of indirect negotiations is open.”
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