The Islamic Republic of Iran invoking its inherent right of self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter
Statement by H.E. Reza Najafi
Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran
before the Board of Governors of the IAEA:
The Islamic Republic of Iran invoking its inherent right of self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter reaffirms that it will not leave such aggression unanswered.
Statement by H.E. Reza Najafi
Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran
before the Board of Governors of the IAEA
on Military Act of Aggression by the Israeli Regime
(Vienna, 13 June 2025)
بسم الله القاصم الجبارین
Madam Chairو
Yesterday, at a moment when certain governments, under the illusion that they could pressure Iran, pushed through a politically motivated resolution at this Board, the Islamic Republic of Iran was simultaneously subjected to a military act of aggression by the Israeli regime, while the United States was cognizant of this impending action.
Among the targets was the Natanz nuclear facility — one of Iran’s principal nuclear sites, which operates under the full scope safeguards and monitoring of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The deliberate targeting of Iran’s nuclear facilities constitutes a grave and reckless violation of international law, the UN Charter, and the Statute of the Agency. Dangerous assault not only endanger regional and international peace and security, but also further undermines the global non-proliferation regime and the integrity of the IAEA’s mission.
Simultaneously, a number of targeted assassinations of senior Iranian officials and scientists have been carried out in the residential areas of capital, Tehran. These deliberate and reckless acts constitute clear instances of state terrorism. The responsibility for these heinous crimes has been publicly and arrogantly claimed by the regime's infamous Prime Minister himself, constituting an open admission of responsibility.
What is even more astonishing and deeply regrettable is the blatant and grave failure of the IAEA in fulfilling its responsibilities. The Agency, and the Director General, were fully aware of the repeated and explicit threats made by the aggressor Regime against Iran’s nuclear facilities, and had even received reports in recent meetings indicating the possibility of such an attack.
We had informed the Director General of this issue in several official letters and requested his appropriate reaction. However, no action was taken and the Director General was not even willing to condemn those threats. His statement this morning was too late!
According to the IAEA Statute, the Agency is mandated to report to the Security Council any acts or threats of aggression against nuclear facilities under safeguards. This legal obligation is not discretionary. Following the 1981 Israeli attack on Iraq’s Osirak reactor, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 487 (1981), which unequivocally condemned the act, called upon Israel to refrain from such violations, and reaffirmed the Agency’s responsibility in protecting safeguarded facilities.
In light of these precedents, the IAEA and its Director General were under a clear duty to take preventive and deterrent action when the Islamic Republic of Iran formally alerted the Agency to credible threats against its safeguarded facilities and installations, including Natanz.
The failure of the Agency to fulfill its Statutory responsibilities—combined with public statements by its leadership that contributed to a hostile narrative—has emboldened the aggressor and facilitated the commission of this act of aggression. The Agency’s silence and inaction, in breach of its obligations under its Statute and established Security Council resolutions, render it complicit—by omission—in this unprecedented and unlawful attack.
Today, we expect the Board of Governors and the Agency to categorically and unconditionally condemn this act of State Terrorism, and to hold the Zionist regime accountable for this dangerous crime and to act immediately. The responsibility for any future consequences affecting the peaceful nuclear program of Iran shall lie squarely with the Agency and the supporters of this crime.
The Israeli regime’s supporters, and the United States at the forefront, should know that supporting this regime means directly supporting international humanitarian and human rights law violations, aggression, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, and as a result, along with the regime’s agents, they must be responsible and accountable for their positions and actions.
Distinguished Colleagues;
The Islamic Republic of Iran, invoking its inherent right of self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, reaffirms that it will not leave such aggression unanswered. The Iranian nation, with a proud history of resistance, has never allowed aggressors to act with impunity.
The perpetrators of this criminal act will face grave consequences. Iran will take all lawful, proportionate, and resolute measures to defend its sovereignty, its people, and its peaceful technological achievements.
I thank Madam Chair.