US 'squandering' UN Charter with attacks on Iran, says Iranian ambassador to UK

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - Iran’s ambassador to the UK on Sunday sharply criticized the US over its recent military strikes on Iranian territory, accusing Washington of “squandering” the UN Charter and breaching international law.

Speaking in a live interview with the BBC, Seyed Ali Mousavi described the US overnight attacks as a “violation of Iranian sovereignty and territorial integrity,” while refusing to confirm whether key nuclear sites had sustained damage.

“The US is squandering the United Nations Charter with its overnight attacks on Iran,” Mousavi said, insisting the strikes represent an illegal escalation.

Asked if Tehran would renounce its nuclear program and step back from the conflict with Israel if the US were to strike again, Mousavi pointed to the ongoing diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran.

“Iran and the US are in the middle of nuclear talks,” he said, adding: “The Israeli regime attacked us.”

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is set to hold an emergency meeting Monday due to the escalating situation in Iran, according to the head of the UN's nuclear oversight body.

At the same time, Iran’s nuclear chief, Mohammad Eslami, has sent a letter to the IAEA requesting an investigation into recent US airstrikes and calling on the agency to denounce the actions taken by the US, as reported by Iranian media.

Earlier, the IAEA confirmed that the off-site radiation levels have not increased following the US strikes on the nuclear facilities in Iran.

The situation in the region further deteriorated after US President Donald Trump announced Sunday that American forces carried out "very successful" airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites, amid growing fears of a broader conflict in the region.

Following the US strikes, Iran called on the UN Security Council to hold an emergency meeting to condemn the US aggression and to hold accountable those who violate international law.

Hostilities broke out on June 13 when Israel launched airstrikes on several sites across Iran, including military and nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes.

Israeli authorities said at least 25 people have been killed and hundreds injured since then in Iranian missile attacks.

Meanwhile, in Iran, 430 people have been killed and more than 3,500 wounded in the Israeli assault, according to the Iranian Health Ministry.