Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, has issued a stern warning to the United States, cautioning that any act of aggression against Iran will result in severe consequences. In a letter addressed to the UN Security Council on Tuesday, Iravani condemned what he described as “reckless and inflammatory statements” made by U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently suggested that force could be used to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. The Iranian envoy emphasized that such threats are a direct violation of international law and the principles of the UN Charter, particularly Article 2(4), which prohibits the use or threat of force against sovereign states. Iravani made it clear that Iran will not stand idly by in the face of aggression and that the U.S. would bear full responsibility for any such actions.
The latest tensions between the two nations have escalated following Trump’s reinstatement of his “maximum pressure” policy against Iran, which was originally implemented over concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions. In recent media interviews, Trump hinted at the possibility of using military force to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons, though he also expressed a preference for resolving the issue through diplomacy. “I would much rather do a deal that’s not gonna hurt them,” Trump remarked during an interview with Fox News, adding, “I’d love to make a deal with them without bombing them.” However, his comments have been interpreted as veiled threats, prompting a strong reaction from Iranian officials.
Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear program is entirely for peaceful purposes and has repeatedly denied any intention to develop nuclear weapons. The Iranian government has adhered to this stance even as the program has come under intense scrutiny and sanctions from the international community. The situation became increasingly complicated during Trump’s first term, when he withdrew the U.S. from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a landmark nuclear deal signed in 2015 between Iran, the U.S., and several other world powers. The JCPOA had imposed restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for relief from economic sanctions. Following the U.S. withdrawal, Iran initially continued to abide by the terms of the agreement, but it eventually began rolling back its commitments, citing the failure of other signatories to uphold their end of the deal.
In recent months, Iran has accelerated its nuclear activities, including the enrichment of uranium to levels approaching those required for nuclear weapons. According to the head of the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran has been enriching uranium to up to 60 percent purity, a level that brings it closer to the 90 percent purity needed for weapons-grade uranium. This development has raised concerns among the international community and has further strained relations between Iran and the West. Efforts to revive the JCPOA under the Biden administration have stalled, with both sides unable to reach a mutually acceptable agreement. The U.S. has insisted on additional guarantees, while Iran has demanded the removal of all sanctions imposed by the Trump administration.
The current diplomatic standoff was further complicated by remarks made by Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who flatly rejected any possibility of negotiating with the U.S. Khamenei’s statement came in response to Trump’s suggestion of striking a “verified nuclear peace agreement” with Iran. The Supreme Leader, who holds the final authority in Iran’s political system, declared that “no problem will be solved by negotiating with America,” citing past experiences as evidence of the futility of such talks. This hardline stance has left little room for optimism about the resumption of diplomatic efforts, at least in the short term.
As tensions between Iran and the U.S. continue to rise, the international community remains deeply concerned about the potential consequences of further escalation. Both sides have demonstrated a willingness to take provocative actions, with Iran advancing its nuclear program and the U.S. tightening its sanctions regime. Meanwhile, the UN and other global actors have called for restraint and diplomacy, urging both nations to return to the negotiating table. The situation remains highly volatile, with the possibility of miscalculation leading to unintended conflict. Against this backdrop, the warnings issued by Iran’s envoy to the UN underscore the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution.
