Excellency,

          Further to our prior letters, including the latest dated 4 December 2023 (S/2023/953), I wish to strongly reject the baseless allegations made against the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the letter dated 29 December 2023 from the Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/2023/1070).

The Islamic Republic of Iran emphasizes once more that no group affiliated with its armed forces, whether in Syria, Iraq, or elsewhere, operates under its direct control or on its behalf. Consequently, Iran is not responsible for the actions of any individual or group within the region.

The United States' continuous unlawful actions in flagrant violation of international law and the United Nations Charter in the region, in particular in the Syrian Arab Republic, are evident and cannot be concealed or justified through spreading misinformation and unfounded allegations against Iran.

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