MOHAMMED RASOOLDEEN
COLOMBO – Iranian ambassador Dr. Alireza Delkhosh told Colombo Times that his couhtry’s missile and drone retaliatory attack on Israel targeted only military facilities and Not civilian areas.
The ambassador was speaking to Colombo Times on Wednesday April 17.about the recent developments in his country following the Israeli attack on Iran’s mission in Damascus
Explaining further, the envoy said Sri Lan
As to the issues prompted Iran to engage in a military operation against Israel,the ambassador said :
“ In the late hours of 13 April 2024, the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran carried out a series of military response on Israeli military objectives with dozens of missiles and drones. This action was in the exercise of Iran’s inherent right to self-defense as outlined in Article 51 of the Charter of the Unand in response to the Israeli regime recurring military aggressions, particularly its armed attack on 1st April 2024 against Iranian diplomatic premises, in the defiance of Article 2 (4) of the Charter of the United Nations. He said following the Israel Regime’s cowardly terrorist and armed attacks against the diplomatic premises of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Damascus in a flagrant violation of international law and UN Charter, the Islamic Republic of Iran at first, notified the UNSC of Israeli international wrongful acts as well as of Iran’s inherent right under international law to respond to such terrorist armed attacks (A/78/838-s/2024/281).
Next, Foreign Minister of Islamic Republic of Iran had phone conversation with UN Secretary-General on 2nd April, and he discussed about the situation and called for taking appropriate action and strong condemnation from the international community and the Security Council for this horrific crime. Then, the Letter of the permanent representative of Iran in UN in New York addressed to UNSC and UNSG, (S/2024/281-S/2024/305).
He recalled The permanent representative of Iran in UN underscored in the letter to UNSC that the Israeli regime’s armed terrorist attack against Iran’s diplomatic premises in Damascus was flagrant violation of international law, the United Nations charter, in particular Article 2(4) of the Charter and the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic. I.R.Iran in this report to UNSC emphasized that this unlawful action constitutes an egregious breach of the fundamental and universally recognized principal of inviolability of diplomatic and consular representatives and premises, which as a cornerstone of international relations.
Iran called upon the Security Council to strongly denounce this unjustified criminal and terrorist act, taking decisive and appropriate measures to bring the perpetrators to justice swiftly and prevent the recurrence of such horrible crimes against the diplomatic premises of any member state.
Despite Russia’s request, backed by China, Algeria and many members of the Security Council to uphold its duty to preserve international peace and security and to denounce this atrocious act, the envoy said regrettably, the Security Council has once again failed in its duty to maintain international peace and security, allowing Israeli regime to transgress red lines and violate the fundamental principle of international law. Such a failure was caused by obstruction from 3 permanent members namely, the UK, the USA, and the France who already blocked the Security Council for over six months to shield Israel from any responsibility for the Gaza massacre.
Fukl text of the interview:
1. What issue prompted the Islamic Republic of Iran to engage in a military operation against Israel?
In the late hours of 13 April 2024, the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran carried out a series of military response on Israeli military objectives with dozens of missiles and drones. This action was in the exercise of Iran’s inherent right to self-defense as outlined in Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, and in response to the Israeli regime recurring military aggressions, particularly its armed attack on 1st April 2024 against Iranian diplomatic premises, in the defiance of Article 2 (4) of the Charter of the United Nations.
2. What diplomatic reactions did the Islamic Republic of Iran demonstrate regarding the attack on diplomatic facilities?
Following the Israel Regime’s cowardly terrorist and armed attacks against the diplomatic premises of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Damascus in a flagrant violation of international law and UN Charter, the Islamic Republic of Iran at first, notified the UNSC of Israeli international wrongful acts as well as of Iran’s inherent right under international law to respond to such terrorist armed attacks (A/78/838-s/2024/281).
Next, Foreign Minister of Islamic Republic of Iran had phone conversation with UN Secretary-General on 2nd April, and he discussed about the situation and called for taking appropriate action and strong condemnation from the international community and the Security Council for this horrific crime. Then, the Letter of the permanent representative of I.R.I in UN in New York addressed to UNSC and UNSG, (S/2024/281-S/2024/305).
3. Did the letter sent by the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Secretary-General of the United Nations contain any special points?
The permanent representative of I.R.Iran in UN underscored in the letter to UNSC that the Israeli regime’s armed terrorist attack against Iran’s diplomatic premises in Damascus was flagrant violation of international law, the United Nations charter, in particular Article 2(4) of the Charter and the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic. I.R.Iran in this report to UNSC emphasized that this unlawful action constitutes an egregious breach of the fundamental and universally recognized principal of inviolability of diplomatic and consular representatives and premises, which as a cornerstone of international relations.
4. Did the Islamic Republic of Iran have any specific demands regarding the Israeli attack on the Iranian Embassy’s Consulate building in Damascus?
The Islamic Republic of Iran called upon the Security Council to strongly denounce this unjustified criminal and terrorist act, taking decisive and appropriate measures to bring the perpetrators to justice swiftly and prevent the recurrence of such horrible crimes against the diplomatic premises of any member state.
5. What was the response of the United Nations Security Council to the demands of the Islamic Republic of Iran?
Unfortunately once again the UNSC failed the Important Exam!
Despite Russia’s request, backed by China, Algeria and many members of the Security Council to uphold its duty to preserve international peace and security and to denounce this atrocious act, regrettably, the Security Council has once again failed in its duty to maintain international peace and security, allowing Israeli regime to transgress red lines and violate the fundamental principle of international law. Such a failure was caused by obstruction from 3 permanent members namely, the UK, the USA, and the France who already blocked the Security Council for over six months to shield Israel from any responsibility for the Gaza massacre.
6. Was military action the only solution for the Islamic Republic of Iran to respond to the Israeli attack on the Iranian Embassy’s Consulate building in Damascus?
You see, Facing with such circumstances, the Islamic republic of Iran had no choice but to exercise its inherent right to self-defense under international law, as underscored in 13th April, 2024 letter to the President of the Security Council and Secretary General.
7. Does the military action of the Islamic Republic of Iran against Israel not constitute a breach of Iran’s commitment to international obligations?
Not at all. As a responsible Member of the United Nations, the Islamic Republic of Iran is committed to the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, reaffirms once more its commitment to the maintenance of international peace and security.
8. Is the Islamic Republic of Iran seeking to expand and spill over of military confrontation throughout the region?
Well, the Islamic Republic of Iran reiterates its consistent position that it does not seek escalation or spillover of the conflict in the region. While warning about any further military provocations by the Israeli regime, the Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms its unwavering determination to defeat its people, national security and interests, sovereignty, and territorial integrity against any threat or acts of aggression and to respond any such threat or aggression vigorously and in accordance with international law. Further, Iran has no intention of engaging in conflict with the US in the region. Should the US initiate military operations against Iran, its citizens, or interests, Iran will reserve its inherent right to respond proportionately.
9. What were the objectives targeted in the military operation by Iran?
In fact this Action targeted military objectives not civilian precincts. It was precise and carried out carefully to minimize the potential for escalation and prevent harm to civilians.
