Iran accuses Israel of “grave war crimes” at UN, urges immediate international action

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has condemned Israel’s recent military strikes on Iranian territory as “barbaric” acts of aggression, characterizing them as grave violations of international law and “war crimes,” particularly in relation to attacks on nuclear facilities.

Speaking before the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Araghchi accused Israel of launching an unprovoked and unlawful assault on Iran in the early hours of June 13, targeting both military and civilian infrastructure, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

“This is an unjust war imposed on my people,” Araghchi declared. “Israel perpetrated a mix of unlawful and criminal operations against off-duty military personnel, university professors and ordinary people.” He alleged that the strikes also hit residential areas, hospitals, public infrastructure, the foreign ministry, and nuclear facilities, posing significant risks of environmental and radiological disaster.

He described Israel’s actions as “a stark violation of Article 2, paragraph four of the UN Charter,” which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.

Araghchi’s appearance comes amid heightened tensions and follows his arrival in Geneva for high-level talks with foreign ministers from France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, as well as EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. The Geneva meeting marks the first direct engagement between Iranian and Western officials since Israel’s offensive began.

Ahead of the talks, Araghchi ruled out discussions with the United States while Israeli strikes continue, though he signaled Iran remains open to dialogue with European powers—emphasizing, however, that no negotiations are currently on the table.

In a forceful rebuke, the foreign minister said, “We were attacked in the middle of an ongoing diplomatic process. We were supposed to meet Americans on June 15 to craft a very promising agreement for a peaceful resolution of the issues fabricated over our peaceful nuclear program.”

Describing the assault as “a betrayal of diplomacy and an unprecedented blow to the foundation of international law and the UN system,” Araghchi urged immediate action from the international community. “Otherwise, the whole UN-based international law system would corrode badly,” he warned.

By Vafa Guliyeva