On May 6, Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Khazaee condemned the Israeli airstrikes on Syria as “blatant acts of aggression” and demanded an international response. The letter warned that Israel’s attacks will further destabilize the region.
“Nothing can justify the use of force and act of aggression against a sovereign state,” he wrote U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Israel reportedly hit Iranian-made missiles bound for Lebanon’s Hezbollah on May 3. Israel then reportedly conducted an airstrike on May 5 that targeted the Jamraya military complex north of Damascus. The following is the complete text of Khazaee’s letter.
I wish to draw your attention to the reports on the Israeli air strikes against Syria on 3 and 5 May 2013.
The Islamic Republic of Iran expresses its deep concern over, and strong condemnation of such provocative and unwarranted attacks. We believe that such criminal and irresponsible act should be addressed by the international community, specially the United Nations and its relevant organs for the following reasons:
•These blatant acts of aggression are serious violation of international law, particularly the norms and principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter including its Article 2 (4) on the prohibition of the use of force against any Member State.
•Nothing can justify the use of force and act of aggression against a sovereign state and the aggressor must be held accountable for any consequences stemming from this condemnable and illegitimate act which endangers regional and international peace and security.
• It is obvious that the attacks represent serious escalation of tension and have grave destabilizing effects in the region.
I would urge Your Excellency to address this issue of great concern to the United Nations based on the mandate bestowed upon you by the Charter for the purpose of maintenance of regional and international peace and security and prevention of further act of aggression.
I am sending identical letter to the President of the Security Council and the President of the General Assembly. It would be appreciated if this letter and its annexes could be circulated as a document of the Security Council and that of the General Assembly under agenda item 33 entitled “Prevention of Armed Conflict”.
Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.
Mohammad Khazaee
Ambassador and Permanent Representative
Photo Credit: Mohammad Khazaee at Asia Society New York by Bill Swersey via Flickr