‘Keeping silent is not an option… if nothing is done then everyone will regret it’, Iran’s Foreign Minister said in UNHRC on the war with Israel

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi addresses a special session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland on June 20, 2025 -Photo-Reuters

Iran’s Foreign Minister at the UNHRC said, ‘We have been attacked very ruthlessly. This is very clear and it should be misrepresented by Israel or its supporters. This aggression by Israel cannot be justified by any law or morality.’

As on Saturday June 21, 2025 is the 9th day of the ongoing war between Israel and Iran. Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi addressed the meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council. He strongly targeted Israel and said that ‘this war is illegitimate and has been forcibly imposed on us’. In his speech, Abbas Araghchi described Iran as a peace-loving country and said that Iran has made an important contribution to human civilisation, culture and morality.

Araghchi said, ‘Today this country with a population of 10 crore is the victim of a big attack. This attack is being carried out by the regime which has been committing a terrible massacre in Palestine for the last two years and is occupying the lands of its neighboring countries. I want to remind all of you of your legal and moral responsibility. Every member and observer country of the Human Rights Council should stand up against this grave injustice.’

He said, ‘Israel has attacked Iran without any reason, which is a blatant violation of Article 2 (4) of the Charter of the United Nations and against the principles of this Council. This is an illegitimate and forcibly imposed war, which began on Friday morning, June 13. Israel attacked our soldiers, university professors and common people. Hundreds of our citizens were killed or injured. Israel attacked residential areas, hospitals and public infrastructure. Our peaceful nuclear facilities were also targeted, while these are under the supervision of the IAEA and attacking them is completely prohibited according to international law. Attacking them is a serious war crime and can lead to radioactive leakage dangerous to the environment and health.’

One Justifying war is also a partner in war ‘

Araghchi said, ‘Iran, which is a founding member of the United Nations, expects all of you to stand in favor of the basic principles of justice, law and humanity. We have been attacked very ruthlessly. This is very clear and should not be misrepresented by Israel or its supporters. This aggression by Israel cannot be justified by any law or morality. If anyone justifies it, he will also be considered a partner in this injustice. Iran is defending itself against this barbaric attack on itself. We are fully prepared to protect the integrity, sovereignty and security of our country. This is our fundamental right, which has also been accepted in Article 51 of the Charter.

The Iranian Foreign Minister said, ‘The protection of peace and law is now in danger because Israel has unlawfully attacked Iran. Israel is committing war crimes and crimes against humanity. International humanitarian law, which has already been weakened by Israel’s atrocities in Palestine, is now in more serious danger because Israel is violating the Geneva Agreements of 1949. Switzerland is the guardian of the Geneva Agreements and has an important responsibility in this matter. Every country that is a party to the 1949 agreements should fulfill its responsibility, especially under their general articles 1 and 3.’

‘The attack happened when we were in a diplomatic process’

He said, ‘We were attacked when we were in a diplomatic process. We had an important meeting scheduled with the US on June 15, so that a peaceful solution to the disputes over our nuclear program could be found. Israel has betrayed diplomacy by attacking and has caused a deep injury to international law and the United Nations system. I want to say clearly that if the institutions and systems we have built over the last 80 years to safeguard human rights and dignity are working, now is the time to use them. We must act now. Keeping silent or doing nothing is not an option. If we do nothing, we will regret it later. The effects of this war will not be limited to just one country, the entire region and the world will be affected.’

Abbas Araghchi said, ‘What is even more important is that the entire international legal system based on the United Nations will be in danger. This is a historic moment for human civilization, when an unjust war has been imposed on a civilized country. Every country in the world, every UN institution system must wake up and take immediate action – to stop the aggressor, to end the culture of impunity and to hold the perpetrators accountable for their crimes.