Statement by H.E. Gholamhossein Darzi Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations Before the United Nations Security Council Open Debate on  “The Security Council’s Role in Mitigating Global and Local Food Crises” New York - 25 August 2026   In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful Madam President, Armed conflict remains a major driver of hunger and food insecurity, which cannot be addressed without confronting its root causes, including aggression, occupation, unlawful coercive measures, and the deliberate destruction of civilian infrastructure. Security Council resolution 2417 (2018) condemns starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and denial of humanitarian access.  In Gaza, Israel’s genocidal war against the Palestinian people has involved grave violations of international humanitarian law, including the deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure and the weaponization of hunger through starvation and systematic obstruction of humanitarian assistance. Yet, despite the scale of these crimes, the Security Council has repeatedly failed to uphold its Charter responsibilities and ensure accountability, due to the political protection and obstruction by the United States. Madam President, The root cause of instability and disruptions to maritime trade and navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is the US-Israeli regime war of aggression against Iran, in flagrant violation of the UN Charter and international law. Prior to this aggression, commercial navigation through the Strait proceeded without disruption. The United States and the Israeli regime launched an unlawful war of aggression against Iran on 28 February 2026, with grave and far-reaching consequences for regional and international peace and security. Their acts of aggression, in flagrant violation of the UN Charter and the peremptory norm of general international law, resulted in the assassination and martyrdom of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the highest official of the State, together with several other senior Iranian officials, as well as the martyrdom of more than 3,400 innocent civilians, including hundreds of women and children. The Islamabad MoU signed on 17 June expressly requires the United States to refrain from any threat or use of force against Iran. Once again, the United States materially breached the MoU by launching further military aggression against Iran, which started on 27 June 2026, killing more than 60 civilians, injuring over 630, and deliberately targeting airports, bridges, transportation infrastructure, vessels, search-and-rescue facilities, and meteorological installations. The responsibility does not rest solely with the main aggressors. States that facilitate unlawful military action by providing bases, logistical or intelligence support, or access to airspace must also bear responsibility under international law, as such assistance contributes to regional instability and undermines maritime security around the Strait of Hormuz. Madam President, The United States regime has demonstrated utter disregard for international law. The US maritime blockade of Iran and attacks on Iranian commercial vessels in international waters constitute grave violations of Iran’s sovereignty, freedom of navigation, and international law of the sea. US CENTCOM publicly stated on 12 August that US forces had redirected 59 commercial vessels, disabled three, and boarded two. These unlawful measures, alongside the so-called “Operation Economic Outcast” announced Yesterday, 24 August (2026) by the US Secretary of the Treasury, are seeking to impose an economic blockade on braved Iranian people, weaponizing food, energy, trade, and access to essential goods as instruments of pressure and warfare. Such unlawful measures cannot be justified under the pretext of security or freedom of navigation. The U.S. measures violate fundamental human rights and the principles of sovereign equality, non-intervention, and freedom of navigation; constitute a material breach of Security Council resolution 2417 (2018); and seek to circumvent the functions entrusted to the Security Council under the UN Charter. What is at stake is the integrity of international law.  If such unlawful acts are allowed to go unchallenged, it could set a dangerous precedent. The Security Council must categorically condemn and reject these unilateral coercive measures aimed at compelling sovereign States to alter their lawful economic interests and foreign relations. We call on all States to reject and denounce the extraterritorial application of unilateral coercive measures by the United States regime aimed at compelling Member States to subordinate their sovereign rights and lawful policies to those of another State. The Islamic Republic of Iran reserves its right to pursue all available avenues to seek accountability, reparation, and redress, and to hold those responsible to account for the consequences of these unlawful acts. Iran also reaffirms its inherent right of self-defense under international law in the face of the continued U.S. aggressive and unlawful acts. Madam. President, Iran’s measures are lawful and defensive in nature. As a coastal State to the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has a legitimate right under international law to take necessary measures in response to aggression against its territory and sovereignty; claims to the contrary have no legal basis. The only sustainable path toward restoring peace, regional stability, and safe maritime navigation is to end the aggression, fully respect Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, lift unlawful maritime blockades and unilateral coercive measures, and provide credible guarantees against any recurrence of aggression. Any arrangements concerning the Strait of Hormuz can only be established, regulated, and managed by its littoral States, namely Iran and Oman. Madam President, In conclusion, I categorically reject the unfounded allegations made by certain members against Iran regarding alleged disruptions to maritime trade and navigation in and around the Strait of Hormuz. Rather than addressing the root causes of the current crisis, these allegations deliberately ignore the unlawful aggression against Iran, overlook grave violations of international law, and seek to shift responsibility from the aggressor to the victim.  Thank you, Madam President.