tehran, iran has formally urged the united nations to recognise israel and the united states as the initiators of this month’s conflict, claiming they bear full responsibility for the 12-day war that erupted on june 13.
in a letter to un secretary-general antonio guterres, iranian foreign minister abbas araghchi demanded accountability, including reparations. “we officially request that the security council recognise the israeli regime and the united states as the initiators of the act of aggression,” the letter read.
the conflict began when israel launched airstrikes in iran, targeting top military officials and nuclear scientists. israel claimed its goal was to halt iran’s suspected nuclear weapons programme, an allegation tehran has consistently denied, insisting its nuclear ambitions are purely civilian.
the war derailed ongoing nuclear negotiations between iran and the united states. washington, a close ally of tel aviv, also joined israel’s campaign, striking three major iranian nuclear facilities.
iran’s armed forces chief of staff, abdolrahim mousavi, stated, “we did not start the war, but we responded to the aggressor with all our power.” he also expressed skepticism about israel’s commitment to the ceasefire, warning of a strong response if hostilities resumed.
according to iran’s health ministry, the war claimed at least 627 civilian lives and left nearly 4,900 injured. israel reported 28 deaths from iranian retaliatory missile strikes. during the conflict, iran also arrested several alleged israeli spies and confiscated equipment, including drones and weapons.
iran’s parliament has now moved to ban unauthorised communication tools, including starlink, elon musk’s satellite internet service, amidst rising concerns over foreign surveillance.
the international atomic energy agency has confirmed iran’s uranium enrichment has reached 60 percent, short of the 90 percent weapons-grade level but well above the 3.67 percent limit set by the 2015 nuclear deal abandoned by the us in 2018.
