Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Amir-Saeid Iravani. File
| Photograph Credit score: Reuters
In a letter to the United Nations, Iran has mentioned it won’t provoke any warfare, but when attacked, all regional bases, services and property belonging to the “hostile forces” can be “reputable targets” for retaliatory strikes.
Iran’s UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani, within the letter dated February 19, accused Washington of issuing “express public menace[s] of using power” and urged the United Nations to behave urgently.
Citing U.S. President Donald Trump’s February 18 social media publish that American forces might use bases in Diego Garcia and Fairford within the occasion of a battle with Iran, Mr. Iravani mentioned there’s a “an actual danger of army aggression, the implications of which might be catastrophic for the area and would represent a grave menace to worldwide peace and safety”.
He added: “Within the occasion that it’s subjected to army aggression, Iran will reply decisively and proportionately within the train of its inherent proper of self-defence beneath Article 51 of the Constitution of the United Nations.”
Iran’s Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had warned earlier this month that any assault on Iran would set off a regional warfare. Iran and the U.S. have held two rounds of talks this month however failed to achieve any breakthrough. The U.S. has constructed its largest army presence in West Asia for the reason that 2003 Iraq invasion, whereas Iran has held two stay hearth drills within the Persian Gulf this month.
If Iran comes beneath assault, Mr. Iravani wrote within the letter, “all bases, services, and property of the hostile power within the area would represent reputable targets within the context of Iran’s defensive response… the USA would bear full and direct duty for any unpredictable and uncontrolled penalties.”
The U.S. has a minimum of 19 army bases throughout West Asia, a lot of that are in Persian Gulf international locations. The headquarters of America’s Fifth Fleet is in Bahrain, whereas the al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the biggest U.S. base within the area, hosts the ahead headquarters of U.S. Central Command.
Iran additionally accused Washington of violating the UN Constitution, notably Article 2(4), which prohibits the menace or use of power in opposition to the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. It known as on the Safety Council to “absolutely utilise the Council’s authority and good places of work to make sure that the USA instantly ceases its illegal threats of using power” and refrains from actions that might “result in a army confrontation”.
Iran’s warning comes amid reviews that Mr. Trump is contemplating air strikes in opposition to the Islamic Republic. The U.S. has already despatched a number of offensive and defensive weapons to the area whereas getting ready for a doable warfare.
The U.S. has deployed F-22 and F-35 fighter jets, EA-18G jamming plane, and F-15E and F-16 fighters to the neighborhood of Iran. The U.S. Navy has 13 ships within the area, together with the plane service USS Abraham Lincoln and 9 destroyers. A second plane service is on the best way to West Asia.
Iran, on the opposite aspect, has concluded a live-fire naval drill with Russian forces within the southern Persian Gulf. Iranian army officers mentioned the train was designed to strengthen maritime safety, develop naval diplomacy, and increase sensible operational collaboration between the 2 international locations’ naval forces, in line with state-run Press TV.
The drill included complicated manoeuvrers, joint navigation workout routines, and coordination between floor vessels and aviation items, with Iranian and Russian officers emphasising the continuity of shared coaching and operational trade, mentioned the report.
Revealed – February 20, 2026 09:33 am IST
