Iran demands UN hold US, Israel accountable for June attacks on nuclear sites

Iran has urged the United Nations to take punitive action against the United States and Israel, accusing both of responsibility for a series of military strikes in June that targeted Iranian nuclear sites. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the US bore “criminal responsibility” after President Donald Trump admitted last week that he had directed Israel’s initial attack on Iran.

In a letter addressed to UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the UN Security Council on Wednesday, Araghchi demanded “appropriate measures” be imposed on both Washington and Tel Aviv for what he described as “acts of aggression” against Iran.

He said the two countries must be held accountable through reparations, including restitution and compensation for the damage caused. “The United States and the Israeli regime must be subject to reparations, including restitution and compensation for the damage caused in Iran,” the letter stated.

The Iranian minister said Trump’s public acknowledgement of his role in authorising the strikes provided undeniable evidence of US involvement. “President Trump and other US officials bear criminal responsibility for the June 13 attacks,” he said, calling on the UN to act under the principles of international law.

Neither the US mission to the United Nations nor Guterres’ office immediately responded to requests for comment.

TRUMP CLAIMED HE DIRECTED ISRAEL’S STRIKE

Trump’s admission came on November 6, when he told reporters he was “very much in charge” of Israel’s initial strike on Iran. The president’s remarks have been widely cited in Iranian state media as proof of American involvement in the operation, which Tehran says marked the beginning of a 12-day air war between the two sides.

According to Iranian reports, the strikes killed more than 900 people, including several senior military officials. Araghchi said Trump’s statement reinforced Iran’s claim that the US was not merely supporting Israel but directly commanding its military actions.

“This is indeed without prejudice to the individual criminal responsibility of all those individuals, including within the Israeli regime, involved in commanding, ordering, committing, or aiding, abetting, and otherwise assisting in the commission of the war crimes,” Araghchi wrote in his letter to the UN.

Iran’s latest appeal to the UN comes even as officials from both Washington and Tehran have recently signalled openness to dialogue. Araghchi’s deputy said earlier this week that Iran remained interested in reaching a “peaceful nuclear agreement” with the United States.

Trump said last month that Washington was prepared to negotiate “when Tehran is ready,” stressing that “the hand of friendship and cooperation is open”.

Despite these statements, tensions remain high following months of military confrontation and mutual accusations. Tehran has insisted that the UN must respond decisively to what it calls “an unlawful act of war” directed by the United States and carried out by Israel.

– Ends

With inputs from agencies

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