In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.
7 September 2022
Excellency,
Further to the letters dated 3 January 2022 and 27 July 2022 (S/2022/5 and S/2022/581, respectively), I would like to draw your attention to a recent statement by the former military intelligence chief of the Israeli regime who admitted, once again, that the Israeli regime was involved in the premeditated and cowardly assassination of Martyr Major General Qasem Soleimani, Commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – an official branch of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran – and his companions, on 3 January 2020 at Baghdad International Airport upon the direct order of the then President of the United States.
In a recent interview on 31 August 2022, Tamir Heyman, former military intelligence chief of the Israeli regime, resorted to lies and unfounded claims stating, “I stand by what I announced. We gave intelligence that incriminated and proved the responsibility of Soleimani for killing Americans. The Americans’ view of him was radically altered after they saw the intelligence from us and the level of danger, he [continued to] present to Americans.” He added, "The Americans needed Soleimani during the fight against ISIS [which continued until 2017-2018]". Furthermore, he went on to state, “Still, they understood he was necessary and effective against ISIS…We gave this [intelligence information] to them.’’[1]
In yet another interview on 29 August 2022, the former head of the Mossad, Yossi Cohen, made a blatant admission of the Israeli regime’s responsibility for carrying out terrorist and destructive operations inside Iranian territory in recent years against Iran's peaceful nuclear infrastructure, which has been monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency. He stated, “The Mossad carried out a significant number of operations against Iran’s nuclear program, including some deep inside Iranian territory”.[2]
The aforementioned statements unequivocally recognize the Israeli regime's international responsibility for the incitement of and its involvement in the criminal terrorist acts against Iranian officials, scientists and civilians that it planned, prepared, funded, supported, incited and carried out, as well as its destructive operations against Iran's peaceful nuclear infrastructure inside Iranian territory. It also demonstrates that the Israeli regime is the primary cause of regional instability and a supporter of terrorism.
Given the Israeli regime's dark track record of destabilizing practices in the region, as well as its close cooperation with terrorist groups designated by the Security Council, the international community must strongly condemn the Israeli regime for not only committing such atrocious and terrorist acts but also compel this terrorist regime to stop all of its persistent threats along with its disruptive and malign activities in the region.
The Islamic Republic of Iran condemns in the strongest terms all forms of terrorism and calls on the Security Council to uphold its Charter obligations to maintain international peace and security by condemning the Israeli regime's nefarious and terrorist activities which pose a real threat to international peace and security.
As has been emphasized on numerous occasions, including in the letters dated 3 January 2020 (S/2020/13), 7 January 2020 (S/2020/16), 29 January 2020 (S/2020/81) and 3 January 2022 (S/2022/5) addressed to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council, the horrific assassination of Major General Qasem Soleimani, which was an internationally wrongful criminal act, involved a grave violation of the United States' obligations under international law. Additionally, it implies that the Israeli regime bears international responsibility for its involvement in, incitement of and support for such a heinous crime.
The Islamic Republic of Iran reserves its inherent right to self-defence, in accordance with international law and the United Nations Charter, to decisively respond to any threat or wrongful act perpetrated by the Israeli regime.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is committed, consistent with its rights and obligations under international law, to actively assisting regional nations and governments in their efforts to combat foreign-backed terrorist groups in the region until they are completely eradicated.
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. Nicolas de Rivière
President of the Security Council
United Nations, New York
[1] https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-716018
[2] https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-715821