Iran Ready to Respond Firmly to Any Military Aggression: US Must Bear Full Responsibility
Iran has responded to United States military threats of a potential strike on Tehran this weekend. Iran's permanent representative to the United Nations warned that Iran would retaliate "firmly and proportionally" against any military aggression, emphasising that the US would bear "full and direct responsibility" for the consequences.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran has repeatedly stated at the highest levels that it does not seek tension or war and will not initiate any war," read the letter addressed to UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the presidency of the UN Security Council, as reported by Anadolu on Friday, 20 February 2026.
A US strike group in the Middle East has reportedly been placed on standby for a possible attack on Iran beginning this Saturday, according to CBS News. However, the broadcast reported that President Donald Trump had not yet decided whether to proceed with a strike.
"However, if Iran becomes the target of military aggression, we will respond firmly and proportionally in exercising our right to self-defence under Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations," the letter added.
Iran's representative warned that "all bases, facilities, and assets of enemy forces in the region would become legitimate targets in the context of Iran's defensive response," stressing that "the United States will bear full and direct responsibility for the unforeseen and uncontrollable consequences."
The letter cited a social media post by US President Donald Trump on 18 February, which was characterised as an "explicit public threat of the use of force" against Iran, referencing the potential use of military facilities at Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom.
Iran urged immediate UN action through the letter, stating: "The Security Council and the Secretary-General must act without delay, before it is too late."
Iran described the US threats as signalling "a real risk of military aggression, the impact of which would be catastrophic for the region and constitutes a serious threat to international peace and security."
Reaffirming its commitment to diplomacy, Iran's mission to the UN expressed full support for the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and diplomatic solutions, and affirmed that it had engaged constructively, seriously, and in good faith in nuclear negotiations with the United States Government.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran has repeatedly stated at the highest levels that it does not seek tension or war and will not initiate any war," read the letter addressed to UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the presidency of the UN Security Council, as reported by Anadolu on Friday, 20 February 2026.
A US strike group in the Middle East has reportedly been placed on standby for a possible attack on Iran beginning this Saturday, according to CBS News. However, the broadcast reported that President Donald Trump had not yet decided whether to proceed with a strike.
"However, if Iran becomes the target of military aggression, we will respond firmly and proportionally in exercising our right to self-defence under Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations," the letter added.
Iran's representative warned that "all bases, facilities, and assets of enemy forces in the region would become legitimate targets in the context of Iran's defensive response," stressing that "the United States will bear full and direct responsibility for the unforeseen and uncontrollable consequences."
The letter cited a social media post by US President Donald Trump on 18 February, which was characterised as an "explicit public threat of the use of force" against Iran, referencing the potential use of military facilities at Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom.
Iran urged immediate UN action through the letter, stating: "The Security Council and the Secretary-General must act without delay, before it is too late."
Iran described the US threats as signalling "a real risk of military aggression, the impact of which would be catastrophic for the region and constitutes a serious threat to international peace and security."
Reaffirming its commitment to diplomacy, Iran's mission to the UN expressed full support for the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and diplomatic solutions, and affirmed that it had engaged constructively, seriously, and in good faith in nuclear negotiations with the United States Government.