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

7 September 2022

Excellency,

            I am writing to you regarding the letter dated 26 August 2022 from the Permanent Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/2022/647) in which, through the use of the term “Iran-backed militia groups”, desperate attempts were made to accuse the Islamic Republic of Iran of supporting such so-called “non-State militia groups” in Syria, which is hereby categorically rejected.

            The Islamic Republic of Iran has not been involved, directly or indirectly, in any armed attack by any entity or individual against the United States in Syria and, accordingly, firmly rejects any claim to attribute to Iran, explicitly or implicitly, any attack carried out against American forces in Syria. As a result, any such attribution is entirely unfounded and unsubstantiated, thus rendering it both illegal and invalid.

            The Islamic Republic of Iran condemns the unlawful military strikes by United States forces against Syrian forces inside the Syrian Territory. Such unlawful and provocative acts, which have erroneously been justified by applying an arbitrary interpretation of Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, blatantly violate Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and are flagrant breaches of international law as well as the United Nations Charter, in particular the relevant Security Council resolutions that place emphasis on respecting Syria's independent sovereignty and territorial integrity.

            Iran's legal presence in Syria is based on the formal request and consent of the Government of Syria, solely with the aim of assisting and supporting Syria in its fight against terrorism. As a result, Iran reserves its inherent right to self-defence in order to decisively respond to any threat or wrongful act against Iranian forces, interests, and facilities.

            The Syrian Government has repeatedly called for an end to the occupation and illegal presence of foreign forces in Syria, which is required by the relevant Security Council resolutions for the full respect and preservation of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

            The United States must uphold its international obligations under the United Nations Charter and international law, particularly the principle of equal sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, and end its occupation of Syria in order to avoid exacerbating the already tense situation in the region, which can only serve the nefarious goals of terrorist organizations in Syria.

            Iran reaffirmed its commitment to Syria's sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and political independence.

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