Alwaght-Iran has warned that it won’t hesitate to exercise its right to self-defense if the Israeli regime proceeds with the threats of blocking Iranian oil shipments.
The warning came after Israeli regime’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a graduation ceremony of the regime’s navy cadets in Haifa on March 6 that the Tel Aviv needed to block Iran oil shipments.
Iran’s permanent mission to the UN asserted in a letter to the UNSC on Tuesday that Netanyahu’s remarks amounted to an open threat of using of force in clear violation of the Charter of the United Nations.
Iran’s permanent mission to the UN asserted in a letter to the UNSC on Tuesday that Netanyahu’s remarks amounted to an open threat of using of force in clear violation of the Charter of the United Nations.
The letter said Iran would mount a swift response to defend itself against any hostile moves, a right enshrined in the Article 51 of the UN Charter.
The letter said Netanyahu was trying to imply that Iran’s oil industry was subjected to a “universal” ban while no such sanctions ever existed against Tehran, not even in the council’s now-canceled resolutions.
In the letter, the Iranian mission said Netanyahu’s remarks ran against the council’s will and undermined UNSC Resolution 2231, which endorsed the nuclear deal and backs the removal of all nuclear-related sanctions against Iran, including those targeting the shipments of Iranian oil and related products.
It urged the council to condemn Netanyahu’s irresponsible statements and said there was an urgent need to stop the Zionist regime’s destabilizing activities.
Es’haq Al-e Habib, the Iranian Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations said Tehran had asked the UNSC to register the letter as an official document.
Netanyahu’s threat also drew harsh reactions from Iranian officials, with Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami vowing a “firm” response to any moves by the Israeli navy in blocking Iran’s oil.
“The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran have the necessary capability to protect the country’s shipping lines in the best way against any possible threat,” he said, noting that Tehran viewed such moves as “piracy.”
In recent years, Iran’s Navy has increased its presence in international waters to protect naval routes and provide security for merchant vessels and tankers.
It has also managed to foil several attacks on both Iranian and foreign tankers in international waters.
