Statement by H.E. Mr. Amir Saeid Iravani Ambassador & Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations at the Security Council Media Stakeout New York, 6 March 2026 In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful Good afternoon. I wish to provide a brief update on the deliberate, unprovoked, and unlawful war of aggression launched by the United States and the Israeli regime against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Today marks the seventh consecutive day of this large-scale military aggression, which began on 28 February 2026. The United States and the Israeli regime continue their brutal and massive attacks against Iran and the Iranian people unabatedly and without pause. These attacks are indiscriminate. They deliberately target civilians and civilian infrastructure across my country. The United States and Israel have demonstrated that they recognize no red lines in committing their crimes. Iranian cities are being attacked indiscriminately. Densely populated residential areas and critical civilian infrastructure are deliberately targeted. These acts constitute clear war crimes and crimes against humanity. Yesterday, the United States Secretary of War openly admitted that the United States is using 500-, 1,000-, and 2,000-pound bombs with massive destructive power against Iranian cities. They are dropping 2,000-pound bombs in densely populated civilian areas. Their intention is clear: to terrorize civilians, massacre innocent people, and cause maximum destruction and suffering. Their claim that they have targeted only military objectives is a lie and baseless. The facts on the ground prove otherwise. Despite our repeated communications to the Security Council calling for an immediate halt to this criminal war, the Council has remained silent. It has chosen to turn a blind eye to these grave violations, despite its primary responsibility under the Charter of the United Nations to maintain international peace and security. According to the latest report of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, at least 1,332 civilians—including women and children—have lost their lives so far. Thousands more have been injured, and the number continues to rise. Airports, schools, hospitals, healthcare centers, residential buildings, sports facilities, mosques, diplomatic police headquarters, and other civilian infrastructure have been deliberately targeted and destroyed. On the first day of the aggression, a girls’ elementary school in Minab in southern Iran was struck. One hundred and seventy-five schoolgirls were martyred in that attack. More than half of the victims could only be identified through DNA testing. So far, more than 180 Iranian children across the country have lost their lives as a result of this criminal war waged by the United States and the Israeli regime. Many more have also been injured. More than 20 schools have been damaged. Hospitals, Red Crescent facilities, and emergency response centers have also been repeatedly targeted. Till now, 13 health care facilities have been attacked. Yesterday, several civilian sports and recreational facilities in Tehran and other cities were deliberately targeted. The Azadi Stadium and large parts of the Azadi Sports Complex were destroyed. The Besat Sports Complex and the National Judo Team Training Camp were also heavily damaged. Israeli missile strikes further hit several municipal recreational facilities in southern Tehran, including the Azadegan Water Park, Shahidan Esmaeili Stadium, and Shahid Eskandarloo Sports Hall. The Municipality building of District 18 was also struck. In another attack, a sports hall in Lamerd, Fars Province, was bombed while female volleyball players were training inside. More than 18 female athletes were martyred, and around 100 others were injured. Many Iranian athletes, including internationally recognized competitors in wrestling, judo, and taekwondo, have been martyred in these attacks. Sports and recreational facilities are civilian objects protected under international humanitarian law. Their deliberate targeting constitutes a war crime. Despite its constant claims of defending freedom of navigation, the United States committed a dangerous act of aggression at sea on 4 March, nearly 2,000 miles from Iran’s shores. The Iranian frigate Dena, which was on a goodwill visit and, upon invitation, was with the Indian Navy and carrying around 130 sailors, was attacked in international waters. Nearly 100 Iranian sailors were martyred. The US committed a war crime. This heinous and unlawful attack constitutes a grave violation of the law and the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation. We reiterate our call on the Security Council and the Secretary General to: 1. Condemn the aggression, war crimes, and crimes against humanity that are being committed by the United States and the Israeli regime against our people. 2. To force the aggressors to put an immediate end to all crimes and military attacks against Iran and against civilians and civilian infrastructure. 3. To ensure accountability for these grave violations of international humanitarian law and war crimes. We continue to exercise our inherent right of self-defense under Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations until this aggression and these barbaric attacks stop. Our response is lawful, necessary, and proportionate. Let me emphasize once again: Iran targets only the military objectives of the aggressors. We do not target civilians. We do not target the interests of neighboring States. We are currently investigating the allegations regarding strikes on non-military sites.  Our preliminary assessment indicates that some of these incidents may have resulted from interceptions or interference by United States defense systems, which could have diverted from intended military targets. Under international law, every State has a clear obligation not to allow its territory to be used for acts of aggression against another State. Iran does not seek war. Iran does not seek escalation. But Iran will never surrender its sovereignty. Our ancient and proud civilization testifies that Iran has always been a peace-loving nation committed to coexistence, dignity, and respect among nations. We will take all necessary measures to defend our people, our territory, and our independence. The alleged statement by the President of the United States regarding the election of a new Supreme Leader in Iran constitutes a clear violation of the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of States, as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. Iran is a sovereign and independent State. It does not accept, and will never allow, any foreign power to interfere in its internal affairs. Our Constitution is clear. The selection of Iran’s leadership will take place strictly in accordance with our constitutional procedures and solely by the will of the Iranian people—without any foreign interference. We call on all Member States to condemn this aggression, war crime, and take urgent action to stop this criminal war against the Iranian people—a war that poses a serious threat to regional and international peace and security. The Security Council must act now—firmly, clearly, and without delay. Failure to act will have catastrophic consequences. Today, it is Iran. Tomorrow it could be any other Member State. Thank you.