In the name of God, the most Compassionate, the most Merciful

                                                                                                                      3 January 2023

Excellency,

            I would like to draw your attention to Israel's ongoing breaches of international law and the UN Charter against the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Israeli regime continues to threaten to use force against Iran, the most recent of which are statements made by regime authorities openly threatening to use force against Iran's peaceful nuclear programs.

            On 28 December 2022, Benny Gantz, outgoing Defense Minister of the Israeli regime, declared, “Israel has significantly increased its preparedness in recent years and is preparing for the possibility of an attack on Iran”. Similarly, Yair Lapid, departing Prime Minister of the Israeli regime, repeated the same hostile tone and claimed, “  No Israeli Government will allow a nuclear Iran. If it is necessary to act, we will act”. Furthermore, on 27 December 2022, Aviv Kohavi, Chief of Staff of the Israeli regime, remarked, “The level of preparedness for an operation in Iran has dramatically improved.” 

            These inflammatory and belligerent statements threatening to use force against Iran's peaceful nuclear programs, which have been under the most stringent and intrusive nuclear verification, monitoring and transparency measures ever implemented in a country in the IAEA's history, are a flagrant violation of international law and the United Nations Charter, specifically Article 2(4) of the Charter.

            This is not the first time the Israeli regime has threatened to use force against Iran. As emphasized in Iran's letter dated 27 July 2022 (S/2022/581), this regime has already blatantly and openly admitted its responsibility for the terrorist and destructive operations committed against Iranian officials, scientists, civilians, and its peaceful nuclear infrastructure by this illegitimate regime inside Iranian territory in recent years. Indeed, such warmongering statements demonstrate that the Israeli regime is responsible for all criminal and terrorist acts committed against Iran and must bear the consequences.

            While warning against the Israeli regime's military adventurism against Iran in order to pursue its malign policies in the region, the Islamic Republic of Iran reserves its legitimate right, in accordance with international law and the United Nations Charter, to respond to any threat posed by the Israeli regime and protect its people as well as national security interests at any time it deems appropriate.

            The United Nations Security Council must uphold its Charter responsibility in the maintenance of international peace as well as security and condemn the Israeli regime's warmongering statements and malevolent activities, which are a real threat to international peace and security. This regime must be forced to comply with international law and abandon its dangerous plans for the region.

            I should be grateful if you would have the present letter circulated as a document of the Security Council.

            Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

                                                                                                   Amir Saeid Iravani

                                                                                                    Ambassador

                                                                                                  Permanent Representative

H.E. Mr. Antonio Guterres

Secretary-General

United Nations, New York

H.E. Mr. Ishikane KimihiroISHIKANE Kimihiro,

President of the Security Council

United Nations, New York