Iran Accuses US of Directing Israeli Attacks in Formal UN Complaint

Formal Accusation Lodged with United Nations

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has dispatched a formal letter to the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and the president of the UN Security Council, accusing the United States of directly orchestrating Israeli military operations against Iranian territory. The letter, sent on November 11, 2025, demands accountability from Washington and seeks full compensation for damages incurred during a 12-day conflict that began with an Israeli attack on June 13, 2025.

The core of Iran's accusation stems from a recent statement made by former US President Donald Trump on November 6, 2025. Trump publicly claimed, 'Israel attacked first. That attack was very, very powerful. I was very much in charge of that.' Iranian officials, including Araghchi, have cited these remarks as 'incontrovertible evidence' of US leadership and control over what they describe as illegal actions by Israel.

Details of the June 13 Incident and Subsequent Conflict

The 'June 13 incident' refers to an Israeli attack on Iran that initiated a 12-day war between the two nations. According to Iran's letter, these attacks resulted in significant casualties, with reports indicating over 1,000 people killed in Iran. Among the deceased were senior military commanders and prominent nuclear scientists.

The Iranian complaint details that the strikes targeted both military and civilian infrastructure. Alleged civilian targets included:

• Hospitals
• Ambulances
• The state broadcaster
• Prisons
• Energy infrastructure
• Nuclear facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards

These actions, Iran asserts, constitute indiscriminate strikes against civilians and civilian objects.

Alleged Violations of International Law and Demands for Reparations

Foreign Minister Araghchi's letter asserts that the attacks violated multiple international legal frameworks. Specifically, Iran cites breaches of:

• Article 2(4) of the UN Charter
• Final Documents of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conferences
• Relevant IAEA Resolutions (444 and 533)
• UN Security Council Resolution 487 (1981)

In light of these alleged violations, Iran is demanding that the US government provide full compensation for both 'material and moral damages' inflicted upon the country. Araghchi also warned that President Trump and any other American officials involved could face 'individual criminal responsibility' for what he termed 'gross violations of international humanitarian law,' including aggression and attacks on civilians and protected sites.

International Response and Previous Dismissals

While Iran's latest formal complaint to the UN is recent, the US State Department had previously dismissed similar demands for compensation in August 2025 as 'ridiculous,' rejecting any liability. As of the time of this report, spokespersons for the US mission to the UN and the office of UN Secretary-General Guterres have not immediately responded to requests for comment regarding Araghchi's latest letter.