Ambassador's Statement at UNGA: Bahrain's Unlawful Politically-Motivated Draft Resolution

Iran's Ambassador has delivered a statement during a UN General Assembly meeting to discuss the vetoing of a draft resolution tabled by Bahrain at the Security Council on April 7. The full text of the statement is as follows:

Statement by

H.E. Mr. Amir Saeid Iravani

Ambassador and Permanent Representative

of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations

Before the UNGA’s Veto Debate

New York, 16 April 2026

 

In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

 

Thank you, Madam. President,

Before delivering my statement, I would like to express Iran’s strong objection and serious concern regarding the biased and one-sided statement delivered by Your Excellency in the capacity of the President of the General Assembly, which, by departing from the mandate and institutional responsibilities of that office, overlooked the root causes of the situation and made unfounded allegations against a Member State.

It is a well-established principle, grounded in the spirit of the Charter of the United Nations and the Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly, that the holder of this office must exercise strict impartiality and refrain from adopting positions that could compromise the neutrality and credibility of the General Assembly.

Madam President,

The vetoes cast by China and Russia were timely, justified, and necessary.

During the Council meeting, my delegation made clear that the text was one-sided and ignored the root cause of the crisis: the illegal and savage war of aggression by the United States and Israel against Iran on 28 February 2026.

Its adoption would have set a dangerous precedent—eroding the sovereign rights of coastal States, undermining the UN Charter, and increasing the risk of escalation.

Madam President,

Recent U.S. unlawful actions, including efforts to impose a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, further demonstrate the flawed logic behind the draft. These unlawful measures escalate tensions and threaten both maritime security and international trade. Against this backdrop, I wish to make the following points:

First: The Islamic Republic of Iran, as a responsible State committed to the UN Charter and international law, has consistently upheld freedom of navigation and maritime security in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Gulf of Oman. For decades, Iran has fulfilled its responsibilities in good faith as a coastal State of the Strait of Hormuz, ensuring security and safeguarding freedom of navigation.

The Islamic Republic of Iran, in accordance with international law, has implemented necessary and precautionary measures to ensure the safety and security of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. These measures are designed to facilitate the continuous and safe passage of vessels, while preventing the exploitation of this waterway for hostile or military purposes by aggressors and their affiliates.

Second: The imposition of a maritime blockade announced by the United States constitutes a grave violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iran. This unlawful action is a flagrant breach of the prohibition on the threat or use of force enshrined in Article 2(4) of the UN Charter and constitutes a clear act of aggression under international law. By seeking to obstruct maritime traffic to and from Iranian ports, the United States unlawfully interferes with the exercise of the sovereign rights of the Islamic Republic of Iran and infringes upon the rights of third States and lawful maritime commerce under international law.

The United States must bear full responsibility for this internationally wrongful act and for any consequences arising therefrom, including its impact on regional and international peace and security.

The realisation of the principles of freedom of navigation and maritime safety in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman—particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, which lies within the territorial seas of its coastal States—is only possible through full respect for the sovereignty and sovereign rights of those coastal States.

As such, sustainable stability in the Strait of Hormuz and in the region can only be achieved through the cessation of aggression and the full respect for Iran’s legitimate rights and interests.

Third: Over the past 40 days of the United States and the Israeli regime’s war of aggression against Iran, the aggressors have crossed every legal, moral, and humanitarian boundary. They have violated international humanitarian law and committed war crimes by deliberately and indiscriminately targeting civilian infrastructure, including residential areas, schools, hospitals, healthcare facilities, airports, sports facilities, and cultural and historical sites.

Furthermore, the United States utilised military bases and facilities located in countries of the Persian Gulf region. Evidence indicates that military movements and operational preparations were underway at these bases for the planning, preparation, equipping, and execution of unlawful military attacks against the Islamic Republic of Iran, despite Iran’s prior warnings that such unlawful actions were being planned.

Iran has formally reported these developments, with supporting documentation, to the Security Council and the Secretary-General.

Fourth: Iran welcomes and supports any diplomatic effort and credible initiative capable of bringing about a sustainable end to this unlawful and unwarranted war, including all genuine efforts through Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as efforts by China and Russia. Any viable solution must ensure a definitive and irreversible end to the aggression and establish a just and durable peace, grounded in credible and verifiable guarantees against any recurrence.

In this regard, we wish to express our sincere appreciation for the efforts of the Government of Pakistan—particularly the Prime Minister and the Chief of Army Staff—for their constructive mediation and for hosting these important negotiations.

Despite our deep mistrust of the United States, stemming from its repeated betrayal of diplomacy, we nevertheless entered the negotiations in good faith and remain cautiously optimistic. We believe that, should the United States adopt a rational and constructive approach and refrain from advancing demands that are inconsistent with international law, these negotiations can lead to a meaningful outcome.

And finally: We categorically reject all unfounded and politically motivated allegations against my country made in this meeting. These claims lack any legal basis and serve only to divert attention from the realities on the ground— namely, the illegal and savage war launched by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran.

Some members referred to Security Council resolution 2817 (2026). Iran’s legal position on this resolution has been circulated as a document of the General Assembly and the Security Council (A/80/680 - S/2026/202). Resolution 2817 disregards the unlawful war of aggression and armed attacks by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran and, in doing so, denies Iran’s inherent right of self-defence exercised in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter. By omitting any reference to the aggressors, the Council fails in its responsibility to maintain international peace and security and, instead, by adopting such a politically motivated resolution, risks legitimising further acts of aggression.

It should be recalled that under international law, the Security Council is bound to exercise its authority in full conformity with the Purposes and Principles of the Charter of the United Nations. Any departure from these foundational principles undermines the legal validity and moral authority of its decisions.

Thank you.