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The UN Charter stipulates Iran’s right to self-defense

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Article 51 of the UN Charter guarantees Iran’s right to respond to “Israel’s” aggression on its consulate in Damascus.

  • Under the UN Charter, Iran has the right to retaliate for the Israeli bombing of its consulate, which was a blatant violation of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. (Al Mayadeen English; illustrated by Mahdi Rtail)
    Under the UN Charter, Iran has the right to retaliate for the Israeli bombing of its consulate, which was a blatant violation of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. (Al Mayadeen English; illustrated by Mahdi Rtail)

‘Israel’ is downright scandalous.

They blatantly murder tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza, crush thousands of them under the rubble, deliberately impose famine, orphan and maim thousands of children, ignore countless UN resolutions, set aside interim measures requested by the ICJ, consistently slander the UN , the UN is bombing schools and shelters, and even ignoring United Nations Security Council Resolution 2728, adopted on March 25, 2024, which demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

They then had the audacity to demand an urgent Security Council meeting in response to Iran’s lawful reprisals for the bombing of their consulate in Damascus, which was a blatant violation of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

Article 22 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations states: “The premises of the mission (of the state) shall be inviolable.”

Now let’s look back a little, shall we?

‘Israel’s’ attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus

On April 1, the Iranian consulate in the heart of the Syrian capital Damascus was targeted by an illegal Israeli bombardment, killing seven Iranian military advisors and two senior commanders.

Naturally, retaliation would be expected, which was subsequently confirmed by the Iranian mission to the UN. “The Islamic Republic of Iran reserves its legitimate and inherent right under international law and the Charter of the United Nations to provide a decisive response to such reprehensible acts,” the statement said.

As the world watched with bated breath, ‘Israel’ was gripped by fear.

Israeli media revealed that the Israeli occupation forces had raised their alert status, noting that “regular soldiers and reservists from certain units who were planning to travel were notified that the trip had been cancelled.”

The Israeli occupation forces have also shut down 28 of its legations worldwide, media reported.

Even its closest ally, the US, stood on guard and restricted the freedom of movement of its diplomats and their relatives in ‘Israel’, especially outside the ‘Tel Aviv’, occupied areas of Al-Quds and Beer al-Sabe, citing safety fears. .

Then the expected day arrived.

Iranian retaliatory attack on ‘Israel’

It was late Saturday evening, April 13, when Iran delivered a resounding response, directly showering the Israeli occupation for the first time ever with dozens of missiles and drones that hit specific military bases, delivering an unprecedented public humiliation to “Israel.” inflicted. , the US, and their deterrence.

In the aftermath, Western countries rushed to condemn Iran’s retaliatory attack on “Israel,” while remembering that you are the same people who have not slept a wink over “Israel”’s genocidal war on Gaza for more than 190 days; choosing instead to turn a blind eye and cover up “Israel’s” war crimes in Gaza under the pretext of “Israel’s right to self-defense.”

Read more: In numbers: 190 days of Israeli genocide in Gaza

On Sunday, April 12, an emergency meeting of the Security Council was convened at the request of “Israel”. However, UN experts said that “Israel” does not appear to have exercised self-defense on April 1, as it has provided no evidence that Iran directly committed an “armed attack” nor sent non-state armed groups to attack the country.

The experts also stressed that “Israel” has not provided “any legal justification for the strike” nor has it reported it to the Security Council, as required by Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations.”

The UN experts stated that “Israel’s attack was therefore a violation of the prohibition on the use of armed force against another State under Article 2(4) of the Charter,” adding: “Not only used illegal violence against the Iranian armed forces, but also against Syrian territory. . Israel’s attack was launched in part from the Golan Heights, illegally annexed Syrian territory.”

They further warned that Israeli soldiers and officials responsible for the brutal attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus “may also have committed crimes under a 1971 international counter-terrorism treaty, the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Internationally Protected Persons.” ”

“It is an offense to forcibly attack a diplomat’s official buildings or private accommodations where they are likely to be endangered. Iran, Israel and Syria are all parties to the treaty and all have criminal jurisdiction over such crimes,” they pointed out.

On the other side of the coin, Iranian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iranavani reiterated that the Iranian operation was within the framework of self-defense and as permitted by international law, targeting only military sites to avoid civil war. targets, unlike what “Israel” did in Syria, violating Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter.

He explained that the Iranian Foreign Minister urged strong condemnation by the international community for this heinous crime, and “called on the Security Council to strongly denounce this unjustified criminal and terrorist act, and take decisive and appropriate to take measures to swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice and prevent the recurrence of such terrible crimes against the diplomatic premises of any Member State.”

“Unfortunately, the Security Council has failed in its duty to maintain international peace and security,” Iravani added.

He said the retaliatory strike came after the inaction of the UN Security Council and was in accordance with “Iran’s inherent right to self-defense as set out in Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations and recognized by international law.”

Iravani concluded his statement by reaffirming Iran’s “commitment to maintaining international peace and security,” adding that Tehran “does not seek escalation or war in the region.”

However, the Islamic Republic of Iran has pledged to “defend its people, national security and interests, sovereignty and territorial integrity against any threat or act of aggression and to respond to such threat or aggression firmly and in accordance with international law “, he said. has made it clear.

Forward: ‘Israel’ attacks Iran

After the ball was in “Israel’s” court, it failed to produce a convincing response and was labeled “weak” by Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Reports of an Israeli drone strike on the Iranian city of Isfahan surfaced on Friday, sparking mockery on social media.

However, Iranian air defenses quickly intercepted and neutralized several small drones using ground-based anti-aircraft weapons operating at low altitudes, as confirmed by the Iranian army commander in Isfahan.

Second Brigadier General Mihan Doost further announced that no nuclear facilities or military centers had been targeted by foreign attacks, dismissing the circulating reports as “lies and (part of) a disinformation campaign”.

Israeli media openly acknowledged the perceived weakness of the reported Israeli strike in Iran, noting that it fell short when compared to Iran’s recent retaliatory strikes, further adding to the list of Israeli military failures.

From a legal perspective, the above details confirm the legitimacy of Iranian retaliatory attacks on Israeli targets and expose the hypocrisy of the international community, especially those states that have condemned the lawful attacks.

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