In a formal diplomatic move, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi has sent an urgent letter to the United Nations Secretary-General, the Security Council President, and the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), emphasizing the need for special measures to protect Iran's nuclear facilities and materials.
The letter, dated May 23, 2025, addresses explicitly what Iran describes as 'repeated threats' by Israel to attack Iran's peaceful nuclear installations. Araghchi referenced a CNN report from May 20, which allegedly cited American officials claiming Israel is preparing to strike Iranian nuclear facilities and infrastructure.
'Iran's peaceful nuclear program has been and continues to be under extensive supervision by the International Atomic Energy Agency. None of the Agency's reports indicate any deviation in this program,' Araghchi stated in the letter. The Iranian Foreign Minister cited multiple IAEA General Conference resolutions, including Resolution 444, which considers any armed attack or threat against peaceful nuclear facilities a violation of UN Charter principles, international law, and the IAEA Statute. He also referenced Resolution 475, which warns that attacks on nuclear facilities could lead to radioactive release with severe consequences beyond national borders.
Araghchi highlighted the Security Council's Resolution 487 from June 1981, which condemned Israel's attack on Iraq's nuclear research center as a clear violation of the UN Charter and international law norms. In a pointed accusation, the letter described Israel as 'the only significant threat to regional and global peace and security with its non-peaceful nuclear program,' calling for increased international pressure against what Iran terms' Israel's nuclear threat.'
The letter noted that Israel is not a signatory to any weapons of mass destruction disarmament treaties. The Iranian communication warned that Tehran would take all necessary measures to protect its citizens, interests, and facilities against 'terrorist or sabotage actions' by international law. It specifically cautioned that Iran 'will respond decisively to any threat or illegal action' by Israel.
In a notable diplomatic escalation, Araghchi also stated that Iran believes the United States would share legal responsibility for any Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear facilities. The letter concluded by indicating that Iran will be forced to adopt 'special measures' to protect its nuclear facilities and materials if threats continue, with details to be subsequently communicated to the IAEA.
Iran has requested that the letter be registered as an official document with both the UN Security Council and the IAEA, underscoring the formal nature of this diplomatic communication in what appears to be escalating tensions regarding Iran's nuclear program. We reiterate our call for international pressure to prevent any further escalation of this situation.