Foreign Minister Araqchi: Israeli aggression was a lethal blow to rule of law

TEHRAN (Iran News)  Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has called the aggression of the Israeli regime a lethal blow to diplomacy, rule of law, and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (N.P.T.).

Speaking at the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Sunday, Araqchi reiterated that Iran’s nuclear program has been absolutely peaceful and under the most robust surveillance of the International Atomic Energy Agency (I.A.E.A.).

He, however, said that the U.S. and the Israeli regime launched air strikes against Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities.

The top diplomat said that the U.S.-Israeli attacks on the nuclear facilities of the Islamic Republic were in stark violation of the N.P.T. and the U.N. Security Council resolution 2231 that endorsed Iran’s peaceful nuclear program in 2015 by consensus.

The following is the full text of Araqchi’s statement, delivered at the BRICS Summit.

Excellency Mr. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva,

President of the Federative Republic of Brazil,

Honorable Heads of State ،prime Ministers and Ministers of Foreign Affairs,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great honor for me to address this august gathering on behalf of President Masoud Pezeshkian who sent his regards to you, President Lula, and every one of you present here.

Let me express our deep appreciation to Brazil for ably hosting this summit and for making all the preparations in this regard.

Mr. President, distinguished participants, our countries are all members of the United Nations. We all attest to the U.N. Charter’s foundational principles that are predicated on “saving the succeeding generations from the scourge of war” by prohibiting the use of force and by resolving disputes through peaceful means. Maintaining peace and security is the ultimate goal of the United Nations.

The U.N. Charter and the international legal system it has created are supposed to support and safeguard the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of member States against malign whims and caprices that, if not reigned in, may easily endanger peace and security.

Undoubtedly, peace and security are not only prerequisites for inclusive and sustainable development for all of us, but also essential conditions for the realization of a more humane, secure, and just world order.

BRICS, guided by its core principles of strengthening multilateralism, justice, and cooperation, which has long advocated for a U.N.-based international legal order that respects multilateralism and the rule of international law, is well positioned to fulfill its indispensable role in preserving the basic tenets of U.N. Charter against unprecedented transgressions and breaches.

I should hasten to thank fellow BRICS members that appreciated the high responsibility they shoulder with respect to international peace and security by condemning and deploring the flagrant acts of aggression launched against my country by two nuclear-armed actors since 13 June.

Mr. President, dear colleagues, as I stand here, my great people are mourning for the loved ones they lost as the result of Israel’s unprovoked aggression that lasted for 12 long days with the support, collaboration, and eventual participation of the United States.

I urge everyone to fathom the depth and gravity of the lawless behavior displayed from 13 June to 24 June against Iran as well as the overly dangerous consequences resulting from the Israeli’s continuing impunity for its brutal occupation, apartheid, genocide and warmongering in our region.

In the early hours of Friday, 13 June, just 2 days before the scheduled 6th round of Iran-U.S. talks on the nuclear issue, Israel waged a series of brutal military and terrorist strikes against my country. Residential areas and military bases were targeted; off-duty commanders and soldiers as well as a number of university teachers and scientists were assassinated in cold blood; ordinary people including many kids and women were slaughtered; our peaceful nuclear facilities- all under the strict I.A.E.A. monitoring-were attacked; our public infrastructure including a number of fuel production facilities were exploded.

The U.S.’s subsequent involvement in this aggression by targeting Iran’s peaceful nuclear installations has left no doubt as to the full complicity of the American government in Israel’s war of aggression against Iran.

Mr. President,

The Israeli regime’s unlawful attack against Iran was an act of aggression in violation of Article 2(4) of the U.N. Charter. These unlawful attacks killed and injured more than 6,000 innocent people and damaged our infrastructures, residential areas, and nuclear facilities. But worse than that, this aggression was a lethal blow to diplomacy and rule of law, and to the N.P.T. regime. The U.S./Israeli attacks on our nuclear facilities were in stark violation of N.P.T. and the U.N.S.C. resolution 2231 that has endorsed Iran’s peaceful nuclear program in 2015 by consensus. It must be recalled that Iran’s nuclear program has been absolutely peaceful and under the most robust I.A.E.A.’s surveillance.

Mr. President,

What the Israeli regime, and subsequently the United States, committed was no less than an unprecedented breach of international peace. The fact that a developing non-nuclear-weapon State has been attacked by two nuclear-armed regimes with the support of at least two more nuclear-armed States that are also permanent members of U.N.S.C. is only appalling and extremely consequential. No rule of law or logic allows anyone to target the I.A.E.A.-monitored peaceful nuclear facilities of another State simply out of speculation that the facilities may sometimes be used for weaponization. Indeed, attacking such facilities is absolutely banned under international law, including I.A.E.A. resolution 533 and U.N.S.C. resolution 487.

Mr. President,

My people stayed steadfast and resolved in defense of our homeland against these blatant acts of aggression and the aggressors had to cease their criminal attacks following the heroic resistance of our strong-armed forces. We will definitely continue to defend with all force against any future aggressions.

But this is not over as long as the Israeli regime’s lawless behavior is supported and justified by its backers and apologists. It is a shame that the international community has been unable to do anything meaningful to end the genocide of Palestinians for the past 2 years and stop Israel from 5 occupying Arab lands in its vicinity. In fact, Israel’s act of aggression against Iran came as the result of absolute impunity it is granted by the U.S. and some other European States to commit every atrocity in our region.

Distinguished delegates,

The common values of peace and justice are at serious stake now. Each and every U.N. member has the responsibility to stand up against this grave injustice and condemn Israeli aggression firmly.

The truth and facts must not be allowed to be twisted upside-down by Israel and its backers. Israel’s aggression on Iran cannot and must not be justified by any legal or moral standards. Any justification for this unjust and criminal war would be tantamount to complicity.

We are determined to document Israel’s war crimes and crimes against humanity it committed during its aggression against my country. Israel and the United States must be held accountable for their violations of international law, including human rights and humanitarian law.

We will not stop our demand for justice and compensation.

We should bear in mind that the consequences of this war of aggression would not be limited to any single country. The whole region, and beyond, will suffer. But more than that: the whole U.N.-based international law system is undermined and sidelined in favor of lawlessness and malicious unilateralism.

This is a historic moment for human civilization when a civilized nation has come under an unjust war of aggression by an actor that has no regard for any rule of law or ethics.

The world, every State, every U.N. mechanism and every multilateral arrangement and grouping have to be alarmed and have to act now to end impunity, and to hold the criminals accountable for their unending atrocities and grave violations of international law in our region.

As a recognized voice of the Global South, BRICS shall fulfill its role as a staunch defender of international law and multilateralism, in support of the United Nations’ fundamental principles of sovereign equality of all nations, non-use of force, and peaceful settlement of disputes.

Thank you.