Fact Check: "The Iranian ambassador to the United Nations stated that Iran's strikes are acts of self-defense."
What We Know
On June 13, 2025, amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, asserted that Iran's missile strikes on Israel were acts of self-defense. He described these strikes as "proportionate defensive operations directed exclusively at military objectives and associated infrastructure" in response to Israeli attacks that had reportedly resulted in the deaths of 78 individuals and injuries to 329 others, primarily civilians (Reuters, AP News). This statement was made during an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, where Iravani emphasized Iran's right to defend itself against what he termed as aggressive actions by Israel (IRNA, The Guardian).
Analysis
The claim that the Iranian ambassador stated Iran's strikes are acts of self-defense is substantiated by multiple credible sources. For instance, both Reuters and AP News reported on Iravani's comments, highlighting his framing of the strikes as defensive in nature. The context of his statement is crucial; it came after a significant Israeli military operation that targeted Iranian nuclear facilities and military leaders, which Iran characterized as an act of aggression.
The reliability of these sources is generally high. Reuters and AP News are well-established news organizations known for their journalistic integrity and fact-checking processes. The New York Times, another source that reported on the incident, also corroborated the details of Iravani's statement and the circumstances surrounding the conflict (New York Times, New York Times).
However, it is important to note that the characterization of military actions as "self-defense" can be subjective and is often contested in international relations. While Iran claims its actions are defensive, Israel and its allies may view them as acts of aggression. This dichotomy highlights the complexity of the situation and the potential for bias in reporting depending on the perspective of the involved parties.
Conclusion
The claim that the Iranian ambassador to the United Nations stated that Iran's strikes are acts of self-defense is True. This assertion is supported by multiple credible sources that reported on Iravani's comments during a UN Security Council meeting. The context of these remarks, made in response to Israeli military actions, underscores the ongoing conflict and differing narratives from each side regarding the legitimacy of their military operations.
Sources
- Iran tells UN strikes on Israel are self-defense | Reuters
- Iran Retaliates and Israel Vows More Strikes After Devastating Attack | The New York Times
- Explosions and Buzzing Drones Heard as Israel and Iran Exchange New ... | The New York Times
- Iran hits Israel with a second wave of missiles | AP News
- Iranian envoy speaks at an emergency meeting of the United Nations ... | IRNA
- Iravani: Israeli attacks will not go unpunished; Iranian nation will ... | IRNA
- Iranian ambassador tells UN its strikes are 'self defence' | The Guardian
