Iran has formally demanded an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council following a devastating Israeli airstrike that killed several top commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and damaged key military and nuclear infrastructure. In a televised address and through diplomatic channels, Iranian officials denounced the operation as an illegal act of aggression supported by the United States, warning of decisive retaliation.
The Israeli airstrike, launched late Thursday, targeted high-value sites in Natanz, Isfahan, and Mashhad—locations critical to Iran’s defense and nuclear research sectors. Iranian media confirmed that among those killed were IRGC Commander-in-Chief Hossein Salami, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri, and aerospace chief Amir Ali Hajizadeh. State broadcaster IRIB and the semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported that precision strikes also damaged centrifuge labs and missile development sites.
Pezeshkian’s administration convened an emergency cabinet session within hours of the attack. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council later confirmed that a formal letter had been submitted to the United Nations, urging the Security Council to take immediate action. The letter cited violations of Articles 2 and 51 of the UN Charter and called for condemnation of what it described as “an orchestrated act of state terrorism.”
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei labeled the Israeli operation a “declaration of war.” In a message posted on his official website, Khamenei vowed a “painful response that will rewrite the rules of engagement,” according to Mehr News.
Military observers have confirmed that Iran’s initial response has already begun. Iranian drones were launched across the border into disputed areas of northern Iraq and southern Syria, reportedly targeting logistical nodes used by Israeli intelligence networks. No official casualty figures have been confirmed, but the IRGC has labeled the missions “preliminary deterrent steps.”
Across Tehran, signs of mobilization were visible. Anti-air batteries remained on high alert, military personnel were observed deploying to major infrastructure sites, and multiple domestic flights were canceled. In a nationally televised funeral procession, thousands gathered in Imam Khomeini Square to honor the slain commanders, chanting “Death to Israel” and “Death to America.”
International reactions have been split. Russia, China, and Pakistan backed Iran’s call for a UN emergency session, with Moscow’s Foreign Ministry stating that “unilateral military actions threaten regional peace and must be condemned in the strongest terms,” According to TASS.
France and the United Kingdom issued hollow calls for “restraint,” while consciously refusing to name Israel as the aggressor. The French Foreign Ministry released a short statement urging de-escalation without directly condemning Israel. Similarly, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly labeled the situation “serious” but fell short of assigning blame, according to The Guardian.
Their vague language and strategic silence have further enraged Iranian officials, who view this duplicity as emblematic of a Western order that privileges impunity for allies. In an editorial, according to Mehr News, described the Western posture as “a performance of restraint masking complicity,” warning that the “colonial DNA of European diplomacy remains intact.” Iranian diplomats echoed these sentiments, accusing Europe of shielding a belligerent ally under the guise of neutrality.
According to IRNA, Iran’s diplomatic outreach on nuclear negotiations has been thrown into crisis. Talks that were scheduled for the following week in Muscat have been officially postponed, as confirmed by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. Although Tehran has not announced any withdrawal from the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization chief Mohammad Eslami warned in an interview with state broadcaster IRIB that continued acts of aggression could force Iran to review its commitments under international frameworks. Tehran described the Israeli strike as an act that “crossed red lines,” making the safety and integrity of its peaceful nuclear program impossible without robust international protection.
Iran’s envoy to the UN, Saeed Iravani, demanded that the Security Council not only condemn Israel but also impose sanctions. “If the Council fails to act, it will legitimize unlawful military interventions by powerful states. The international community must uphold the principle of sovereignty,” he said during a press conference in New York.
At the time of writing, the UN Security Council had not announced whether it would convene a formal session. Diplomats suggest discussions are ongoing, though the U.S. and UK are expected to veto any language critical of Israel.
Analysts at the University of Tehran’s Strategic Studies Center noted that Iran’s current approach seeks to avoid open war while signaling strength. “This is about controlled escalation—showing resolve without inviting a NATO-scale response,” said Dr. Nasser Alavi, a defense analyst.
For now, Iran is walking a narrow path between measured retaliation and strategic patience. But Pezeshkian’s message was unmistakable: “We will defend our martyrs. We will expose the aggressors. And we will not remain silent.”
