Editor’s Note: In this exclusive article, Dr. Alireza Delkhosh, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Sri Lanka, shares insights into Iran’s perspective on recent geopolitical developments and its stance on regional security.
The missile defence operations conducted by the Islamic Republic of Iran on 1 October 2024, targeting military objectives of the Israeli regime, were carried out in accordance with the inherent right to self-defence as outlined in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. These operations were in response to the aggressive actions of the Zionist regime, which included violations of Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, the assassination of a political leader of Hamas and former Prime Minister of Palestine in Tehran on 31 July 2024—while an official guest of the Islamic Republic of Iran—and the injury of our ambassador in Lebanon on 7 September 2024, due to the deliberate and indiscriminate targeting of civilians in Lebanon through pager explosions. Additionally, on 27 September 2024, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah in Lebanon and Brigadier General Abbas Nilforoushan (the senior military advisor of Iran in Beirut) were assassinated.
In contrast to the Zionist regime, which persistently views innocent civilians and civilian infrastructure as legitimate targets for aggression and murder, the Islamic Republic of Iran, guided by ethical principles and the teachings of Islam, and in full compliance with the Principle of Distinction (distinguishing between civilian and military targets) under International Humanitarian Law, exclusively targeted military and security installations with its defensive missile strikes.
The inaction and incapacity of the Security Council to fulfil its primary duty of maintaining international peace and security, and to prevent aggressions, coupled with the repeated and blatant violations of fundamental principles of international law, including humanitarian law and human rights, left Iran with no option but to exercise its legitimate right under international law to take legal action in defence of its national security and vital interests.
The exercise of Iran’s inherent right, after two months of patience and restraint, reflects our country’s responsible approach towards regional and international peace and security. Unfortunately, the aggressive and terrorist regime of Israel has miscalculated, continuing to issue threats against the territorial integrity and security of our country, escalating the war in Lebanon, and assassinating commanders and the Secretary-General of Hezbollah. Consequently, Iran was compelled to carry out this defensive operation to restore regional stability and security, and to halt Israel’s terror and aggression machine targeting our sovereignty and independence.
Iran stands ready to take immediate, decisive, and stronger action in self-defence under international law should further aggression by the Zionist regime occur.
We urge the government of the United States of America and other allies of the Zionist regime to abandon their previous approach and deter the criminal Israeli regime from continuing its genocidal crimes, war crimes, aggression, and terrorism, to enable the region to move towards security, stability, and peace.
We continue to call for immediate and effective action from the United Nations Security Council to prevent threats to regional and international peace and security by the Zionist regime, and to bring an end to the Gaza war, which remains a source of tension and crisis in the Middle East. This necessitates an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the complete withdrawal of occupying Israeli forces, and the cessation of attacks and aggression against Lebanon.
