Iran has told the United Nations Security Council it retains the “complete and lawful right” to respond to what it termed as “premeditated and unprovoked” US military strikes on its nuclear facilities, calling the attacks a violation of international law and Iranian sovereignty.

Addressing an emergency session of the Security Council on Monday, Iran’s permanent representative to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, said the strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities in Isfahan, Natanz, and Fordow marked “yet another shameful chapter in the political history of the United States.”

The US attacks, launched early Sunday and publicly acknowledged by former President Donald Trump on social media, have drawn widespread criticism from Iran’s allies and non-aligned countries, with calls for urgent de-escalation.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran is an independent and peace-seeking nation,” Iravani said. “We had repeatedly warned the warmongering US regime against aggressive actions. Now, based on international law, Iran retains its complete and lawful right to respond to this blatant act of aggression.”

The Iranian envoy linked the US strikes to Israeli attacks that began last Friday, which Tehran says have killed over 400 civilians so far. He further accused both Washington and Tel Aviv of coordinated military aggression and dismissed the US justification for the strikes as “false, absurd and legally void.”

Referring to Article 51 of the UN Charter, which allows for self-defence in the case of an armed attack, Iravani said Iran’s response would be in accordance with international law.

He also took aim at international institutions, criticising what he described as the “selective behaviour and double standards” of the UN Security Council and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

“History will judge the silence of international institutions in the face of this moral, political, and legal disgrace,” he remarked.

Russia calls strike a ‘humiliation of global community’

Russia’s ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, echoed Iran’s condemnation, accusing Washington and Tel Aviv of endangering global peace.

“We strongly condemn the US’s irresponsible and provocative actions against Iran,” he said. “The attacks constitute a complete humiliation of the international community.”

Nebenzya criticised some members of the Security Council for their silence, saying they lacked the courage to challenge US actions.

He also drew attention to what he termed glaring inconsistencies in the international nuclear non-proliferation regime.

“Israel has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), while Iran remains the most heavily inspected country under the IAEA,” he noted.

China warns of destabilisation

China’s representative, Fu Cong, warned that the US strike was a “grave breach” of international law and undermined the global nuclear non-proliferation framework.

“The actions of the United States constitute a dangerous violation of the UN Charter, international law, and Iran’s sovereignty,” he said.

Fu added that the attack had inflicted serious harm on global efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and posed a threat to regional stability.

Pakistan urges ceasefire, resumption of dialogue

Pakistan’s envoy to the UN, Iftikhar Ahmad, also condemned both US and Israeli actions, calling them “a clear violation of international law.”

“We express deep concern over the rising tensions following Israel’s aggression against Iran,” he said. “The Security Council must reject the attacks and take urgent steps to restore peace.”

The Pakistani envoy called on fellow members of the Council to back a proposed resolution demanding an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.

“We urge Council members to endorse a draft resolution that demands an immediate ceasefire without preconditions and a return to meaningful talks,” he added.

Wider regional fears

The UN session comes amid growing fears that escalating hostilities between Iran, Israel, and the United States could trigger a wider conflict across the region.

While the United States has not formally commented at the UN session, Trump’s public admission of ordering the attacks has further fuelled tensions.

Iran has so far not launched a retaliatory strike but has indicated that its response will be forthcoming and “appropriate.”

Diplomats said behind-the-scenes negotiations on the proposed ceasefire resolution were ongoing late into Monday night.

The UN Secretary-General has yet to issue a formal statement, though his spokesperson reiterated the importance of “de-escalation, restraint, and respect for international law.”